I need ideas for inexpensive yet relatively healthy meals...

[Pster]

I need to go to the store and not spend much money. It wouldn't be such a big deal if it was just our immediate family of 5 (3 of those being kids) but dh's parents are coming on Wed till Sat and then dh's brother, wife, and small child will be here the following week. Bad timing money-wise.

So....what are your best ideas for inexpensive yet healthy meals?

thanks

[whitestavern]

We eat lots of beans...they're pretty cheap and delish, especially in the winter. Bean soups, veggie chili w/beans, Mexican lasagne using beans and tortillas instead of noodles. Pasta is economical and can be healthy if you use lots of veggies and whole wheat pasta. We have our own chickens, so I don't know what eggs cost these days, but last time I bought they were relatively inexpensive. Make quiches, omelets w/veggies, etc. Potato pancakes aren't necessarily really good for you, but once in a while okay. I make a buckwheat veggie pancake w/a garlic yogurt sauce that's great. Oh, and a peanut veggie soup (sounds gross, but everyone including kids love it) w/yams, tomatoes, rice and peanut butter. If you're looking for any specific recipes, let me know and I can shoot some to you.

[mcconnellboys]

I agree that veggies, pastas and beans will help you stretch a little meat a long way. Someone just posted a few days ago about recipe ideas for both meats and vegetables, and got a lot of recipes listed. Maybe that will show up under related threads so you can find it easily.....

Regena

[LaMere Academy]

Get the book called Cheap Fast Good, it's really awesome, great recipes and money savings tips throughout...it's my favorite. It's for a good price on Amazon.com

[LizzyBee]

I always buy cheap cuts of beef roast. There is no cut that you can't make tender by cooking or baking it with a fair amount of liquid. For a 5-6 lb roast, I'll use about 1/2 cup red wine and 1/2 - 1 cup of water, plus a couple beef boullion cubes, pepper, basil, and a bay leaf or two. I like to add carrots for the last 45 minutes or so of baking time or 20 minutes if I cook it on the stove. A roast takes 15 minutes of prep time and you end up with an elegant meal. I'll serve it with mashed potatoes if I have time, noodles or rice if I'm in a hurry.

Also, the cheapest way to buy chicken is to buy whole roasters. I cook 2 at a time in a 9x13 stoneware pan with a foil tent over the top. I'll add 1/2 cup white wine, 1/2 or so of water, some crushed garlic, chicken boullion cubes, pepper, and lots of basil. This makes a lot of broth. We'll eat 2 meals, then I'll chop up the chicken that's left and make chicken and rice soup with the broth. Again, 15 minutes of prep time and you have an elegant, delicious meal.