Cheap, light, and possibly healthy ideas?

[syntheticjesso]

So our hours at work were cut from 40 to 32 hours a week, which is an instant 20% pay cut. Ouch. I mean, at least I still have a job, but still. Ouch. I'm going to have to eat really cheap

Comments

[morningapproach]

What about a cold soup, like a blueberry or strawberry soup? Those are always really light and cooling :)

[syntheticjesso]

Ooh, that does sound good. Would you happen to have a recipe you like? I'll have to try that when berries go on sale.

[that_redhead]

I make sweet potato chili all-year round. It's not too heavy, and it tastes even better the next day.

[syntheticjesso]

You know, I've never had sweet potatoes. Do you have a favorite recipe?

[that_redhead]

Yep! I can't find my recipe (I swore I saved it in my memories.. grrrr...). However, here's the original recipe from hip_domestics. Enjoy!

black bean and sweet potato chili

1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into small pieces (i prefer to only use one)
1 tbsp chili powder
1 16 oz jar mild salsa
2 cans black beans (it calls for low sodium black beans, but i can never find them)
1/4 cup loosely packed cilantro
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream

heat the oil in a saucepan (large is better) over medium-high heat and saute the onion and garlic for 4 minutes or until soft. add the sweet potatoes, chili powder, salsa and 1 cup of water and bring to a boil. reduce heat to medium low and continue cooking for 13-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until potatoes are fork tender. add the black beans with their juices and cook for another 3 minutes to get everything blended.

mix the cilantro with the sour cream and serve on top.

[syntheticjesso]

Thank you!

[syntheticjesso]

Oooh, good idea! I LOVE hummus. I need to get a bottle of tahini. I actually have cans of chickpeas in my pantry for the day when I decide to try making my own hummus.

[blueyz72]

There are recipes as well that don't use tahini(I don't like it or plain hummus at all). Try adding in other flavors like roasted red pepper or garlic and herbs and the tahini isn't even needed(for me anyways)

[chantalzola]

Chickpea and kidney bean salad with celery, carrots, onions, cumin, well whatever you want really, is always good. You can have it with olive oil and vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice, mustard, etc. Anything really.

[deathbytamarind]

Wraps/pitas. You can get a package of pita bread or tortillas to last at least a few meals and load them up with lunchmeat, fresh vegetables, and make your own spreads with avocado or oil and vinegar. You can serve the pitas/wraps with the pasta salad and get even more mileage out of your food!

[syntheticjesso]

That sounds really good, too, and it's another thing I wouldn't have thought of!

[lysimachia]

Fish pie. I like to make a big one, eat a small portion, and freeze the rest and just eat it when I feel like it. It's easy to open a can of veggies and make something of a meal out of it.

[syntheticjesso]

Oh wow. It's like fishy shepherd's pie, but without veggies.

[lysimachia]

Shepherd's pie/cottage pie is good too. Meat can be expensive, but it's hearty, filling food and can last a while.

[syntheticjesso]

Luckily, my dad likes to hunt, so I can always raid my parents' freezer for venison, elk, and boar. Ground venison is a staple, and it's free! I'm very lucky to be able to get so much meat for free. Then I just have to buy bulk frozen chicken breasts and fish fillets every once in a while, and I'm set.