Casserole Queen

[ravan]

Casseroles: at one point in time in the 80s I was known as the Casserole Queen, because that is what I made, and ate.

I was broke, you see, unemployed and only had $25 left in the month after my rent and utilities were paid out of what token that the state gave me for unemployment. Ramen didn't cut it.

So, the formula:
Starch - rice or noodles. Don't use "minute" rice - it's a waste of money! You can also use other grains, whatever you have on hand.
Protein - tuna, eggs, beans or real meat. I used cheap tuna, or dropped an egg into the boiling water.
Veggies - cheap frozen mixed veggies. Find the cheapest per ounce. A big bag can last weeks!
Sauce - the flavor lives here. Use things like cream of whatever soup, canned spaghetti sauce, or bouillion and spices.

I used corningware - heat the water on the stovetop, add ingredients, stir it up, stuff it into the oven, bake 'till done. You can also simmer it on the stove, too.

A regular 2 quart corningware pan full would feed me for 2 days.

To drink I drank (generic) coffee, iced tea or water.

It's low fat, no fast food, and cheap. I lost weight, but I didn't starve.

Comments

[ladyqkat.livejournal.com]

That is going to be our meal plan for a while.

Oh, well I still need to lose weight.

[ravan.livejournal.com]

Wish I could ship you a big bag of rice and a case of canned meat.

[ladyqkat.livejournal.com]

At this point I would accept them, but right now what I do need is recipes for casserols that are cheap and (somewhat) easy. The biggest hurdle is that I cannot eat beans - not allergies, I just have a tendency to gag and toss my cookies; this reflex has been chronic since babyhood - and any tree nut is out as I can only eat almonds and peanuts without my throat and ears itching. I know - there go the really cheap sources of protien.

I should put up a request post in my own journal for recipes. But thank you for reminding me about casseroles.

[ravan.livejournal.com]

You can actually use other grains, too, but the flavor may be odd to most people. See: http://missvickie.com/howto/grains/grainvarieties.html for info.

Wheat berry example: http://cooknkate.wordpress.com/2007/02/22/wheatberry-lentil-soup/

I don't know if you can eat lentils or not.

[ladyqkat.livejournal.com]

Amaranth is odd but do-able. Quinoa I have used before when I was trying to go wheat-free and found it somewhat easy. Lentils tend to have the same texture as legumes, but are somewhat do-able in small amounts. It is the texture, I think, on legumes that make them difficult for me to swallow/keep down. As I had that problem since babyhood, it is not something I really want to persue. Triticale is just waaay too reminiscent of "Five in a Room for Two".

But thanks for reminding me of other grains - it is just that they will need to be a one-a-month purchase until the pantry is stocked.

[sunfell.livejournal.com]

Good formula. I might have to do a bit of teaching to my brother and his girlfriend when I drive them home. First, though, they have to quit the cigarettes and the soda pop.

[ravan.livejournal.com]

The nice thing is you can use whatever canned meatoid is on sale, and just chop it up small. Doesn't take much - and spam works fine!

Weaning people off the soda is the hardest, actually.

[ladyqkat.livejournal.com]

I have actually got sordak off the sodas as we haven't been able to afford them in the last few months. He will, however, drink Kool-aid and it is usually fairly cheap.