With the government scrambling to give corporate bailouts and consumers cutting back, we were wondering what is your recipe for success?
Shopping at thrift stores, taking stay-cations, eating out less frequently all can save you money. You can be frugal in a tough economic climate by simply modifying items like your at-home dinner menu. Things like buying rice and beans in bulk saves money over buying individual portions of food.
Here is a tasty recipe we like to use when feeling frugal; it feeds 4 or 5 people and costs under $10 (even less if you look for the deals and buy when items are on sale.) What are your money saving tips?
VEGETARIAN CHILI
1 c. celery sliced
1 c. onion chopped
1 c. bell pepper sliced
1 tsp. garlic powder or tbs fresh garlic
1 tbs. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
2 tbs. oil
1 tbs. red wine vinegar
2 c. water
1/2 c. lentils
16 oz. can tomatoes in juice diced
2 tbs. tomato paste
1/4 c. green chilies chopped
10 oz. red kidney beans drained and rinsed
Salt & pepper to taste
Rice 1 1/2 c.
Cheese 1/2 c. shredded cheddar
Instructions
Heat a large skillet and add oil, onions, celery, bell peppers. Cook 4 minutes, or until onions are translucent. Add chili powder, cumin, garlic salt and pepper. Cook one minute. Add water and bring to boil. Add lentils, reduce heat cover and simmer 20 minutes. Add tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, chopped green chilies and vinegar. Cover and cook for 20 min on low heat.
Add rinsed kidney beans (I like red, but any kidney bean will work) and bring back to a simmer. Serve over rice and top with cheddar cheese. Enjoy.
Now, do you have a money saving tip or recipe to share?
