What to have on hand for frugal meals and snacks?

[DevaMajka]

What ingredients should I have on hand for frugal meals? snacks?

I'm pretty good at finding recipes to fit ingredients, but I don't really have a list of foods/ingredients that should be mainstays in a frugal, relatively healthy kitchen. The ingredients themselves don't have to be cheap, but go well with a variety of frugal meals, if that makes sense.

If you happen to have ideas for frugal and easy snacks and lunches, I'd love them! I don't mind if things take a long time over all (like soaking beans) but it's hard for me to spend very long in one stretch on cooking, since I have a 5 month old!

[jrabbit]

I don't soak beans - I do a boil, then simmer until they're done (like several hours). I've been known to have a big soup pot on the stove for days, just adding ingredients as needed. Supplement with a little broth, spices, some more veggies, etc. I like a good hearty soup, with beans, canned tomatoes, potatoes, mushrooms, etc. Add pasta, rice, barley, couscous, whatever grain - and you have a good meal. I add frozen veggies, too, as needed.

All of those things can be purchased for cheap, and in the winter, you don't need to worry much about it going bad Just reheat to a simmer when it's dinner/lunch time!

Since almost all those ingredients are shelf-stable, so you can buy in bulk when you find a sale. And I find this style of cooking to be easiest with little ones underfoot.

I'm interested to know what others suggest because frugality AND ease aren't always easy to accomplish together.

--janis

[EnviroBecca]

These are some things we keep on hand all the time:
whole-wheat pasta
rice
couscous
green and red dry lentils
black, pinto, and kidney beans
instant hummus mix (Fantastic Foods brand--our co-op sells it in bulk)
sunflower seeds
oatmeal
raisins
dried apricots
nutritional yeast flakes
instant vegetable broth
honey
sorghum syrup
onions and dried minced onion
garlic
ginger
chili powder
cinnamon
curry powder
garam masala (Indian spice blend)
dried rosemary, parsley, basil, and oregano
black and white pepper
soy sauce
olive oil
flax seeds (grind up and sprinkle on cereal, etc.)
peanut butter
almond or cashew butter
jam/fruit spread
bread (we keep it in the refrigerator so it lasts longer)
spaghetti sauce (I like to make my own, but we keep a few jars in reserve)
salsa
frozen vegetables
frozen berries (add a handful to oatmeal, etc.)

Sweet potatoes are inexpensive at this time of year and very nutritious. We keep some around and stick them in the oven whenever we're baking something.

I have a lot of recipes on my site, including two lentil recipes that are really easy to make when distracted by a baby!

[Owen'nZoe]

For me, ingredients for bread are an absolute necessity:

-whole wheat flour
-white flour
-yeast (I buy a brick of it at a time, because it is much cheaper that way than packets or jars)
-salt

I use the 5-minute a day whole-grain artisan loaf recipe, and make enough dough for 2 weeks at a time. It is quite cheap (maybe a couple of dollars every two weeks), quick and easy and everyone loves it. It is also so nice to have around for unexpected company or to make quick gifts for neighbors to repay for a favor.

[DevaMajka]

Great list EnviroBecca! Just what I was looking for.

mmmmm...fresh homemade bread. I know what I want to make today!

[crunchy_mommy]

Well EnviroBecca pretty much stole my list

Only a few things I would add:

Quinoa
Agave nectar
Spicy brown mustard
Whole wheat pitas (we buy a bunch & freeze them)
Brown rice and/or corn tortillas
Every single dried spice I can find (I'm a spice addict!)
Pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc.
Jars of minced garlic & ginger (for when I run out of fresh!)

As far as easy lunches/snacks: Soup made in the crockpot, breadmaker bread, tortillas with beans & veggies, oops I gotta go but hope that helps!

[oceane]

lentils! in different colors

[wytchywoman]

Originally Posted by Owen'nZoe

I use the 5-minute a day whole-grain artisan loaf recipe, and make enough dough for 2 weeks at a time. It is quite cheap (maybe a couple of dollars every two weeks), quick and easy and everyone loves it. It is also so nice to have around for unexpected company or to make quick gifts for neighbors to repay for a favor.

Can I have the recipe for the bread please?

[Owen'nZoe]

Originally Posted by wytchywoman

Can I have the recipe for the bread please?

You bet! It was published in Mother Earth News - here's the link:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-...Form-Loaf.aspx

They also published the white-bread version a while back (it's still up on their site), and my kids have declared that version "better than ice cream".

[wytchywoman]

Originally Posted by Owen'nZoe

You bet! It was published in Mother Earth News - here's the link:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-...Form-Loaf.aspx

They also published the white-bread version a while back (it's still up on their site), and my kids have declared that version "better than ice cream".

Thank you!!!!