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]

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.