Basic food staples for the kitchen?

Question

My family is on a strict budget..which involves me (I work full-time), my husband (on SSI), his mom (on SSI) and my 2 year old daughter.(also on SSI) We are trying to come up with a basic food staple for our kitchen that won't cost much money. Some things I do have to leave out due to allergies, such as mushrooms. We could use some suggestions though. Thanks so much!!!

Answer 1

One thing to keep in my is buying smart!! One small investment is to buy the sunday paper. It is loaded with circulars, and coupons. Comparison shop, and food doesn't always have to be bought at large supemarket chains. Local department stores also offer large selections at great prices. Clipping coupons are also a must. Look for great deals, and buy more of what's on sale at that time. Buying smart and stretching within your budget is actually more benficial then buying certain foods. That will only get boring eating the same thing all the time!!
Invest in a good cookbook. You can also get thousands of recipies on line. To make it more cost effective, I would look for a cookbook with a 5-8 ingredient list. This will also simplify your cooking and you can adjust recipies to your families taste.
Some people also find buying in bulk at warehouse clubs cost effective. Especially if you have a large family. I hope this is helpful, and more cost effective.

Answer 2

Beans, beans and more beans. They come in many varieties and provide protien and carbs.
Rice, If you don't know how to cook rice, invest 20 dollars into a rice cooker, you'll get alot of use out of it.
Potatoes.
Pasta, lots of pasta.
Those are the basics, now you need to flavor the basics.
Ham hocks or boullion for the beans.
Garlic, garlic, more garlic. Its cheap, stock up on fresh cloves.
Olive oil for the pasta, serve w/ chopped garlic and parmasian cheese.
Get lots of cheese-can always use it for grilled cheese.
Peanut butter
Canned tomatoes when they're on sale. Use them to jazz up the rice and pasta, and the beans.
Shop at an inexpensive store. Go every week so you learn whats on sale when.
Tuna one week, canned tomatoes the next, frozen corn one week, frozen peas the next.
Tuna noodle casserole is good, replace the mushroom soup with any other cream soup. Only buy the canned goods when they're on sale, if you can.

I admire what you're doing-good luck.

Answer 3

rice, beans, pasta, peanut butter, eggs, milk, frozen green veggies.
Buy in bulk and freeze meat in pkgs.
Buy meat that is in the "discount" bin (most stores have one of these) it is meat that is about to expire. Freeze it.
You can even freeze milk, so buy extra when on sale.
You can make homeade bread, without a machine, that is cheap and much better than in the store. My husband makes it every other day for us.
Make massive spaghetti sauce and freeze in seperate bags
Plant a garden

? how does a 2 yr old get on ssi? Wonder if I can get it for my 4 yr old twins?

Answer 4

Potatoes, pastas, beans, rice. All of these are hearty, filling and go well with a variety of meats. Look for meats on sale, get some good sauces/ spices that your family likes and scan the web for recipes. Also, either eat leftovers fo lunch the next day or freeze them so that there is no waste and if you don't feel like cooking, all you have to do is zap it in the microwave.

Answer 5

Try typing "budget cooking" into your search engine. There is a wealth of information there.
You might consider growing herbs in containers, too. It's fairly easy to do and seeds and soil don't cost much. They will give you the opportunity to make simple meals more interesting and will give your family some variety.
If the herbs work well, you might try other simple gardening. Tomatoes, beans and squash all can work in containers in sunny windows or in a sunny area outside.
If part of your family is home during the day, growing vegetables may bring them a feeling of accomplishment as well. Good-luck.

Answer 6

There are many cheap staples that can be added to you kitchen's roster.

Red Kidney Beans: When you soak them overnight, you would be surprised at how much they grow, and they are also versatile.

Rice: Another "grower" that will go the extra mile if cooked right.

Flour: Useful for it's cheapness and versatility. Crepes, bread, cookies and more can be made from them.

Eggs: As versatile as you can get. You can make literally hundred of different egg dishes.

Potatoes: Versatile, cheap and good source of carbohydrates.

Answer 7

Rice, potatoes, frozen veggies (not just corn - that's really a grain), beans, peas. Spinach and other greens are very nutritious as well and should be included.

As for meat, buy it in larger cuts. A whole chicken is cheaper than the individual cuts. A beef or pork roast can be cut into chops or steaks and will cost less than buying them cut.

Answer 8

rice ... rice and gravy is real good day or night
eggs and potato's can be cooked all kinds of ways
flour..
all breakfast foods are cheap and good
i keep coco and sugar so i can make brownies when i get a sweet tooth
popcorn goes along way
milk tea kool-aid
can and frozen meat has gotten cheaper than reg. meat

Answer 9

BROWN RICE OR WHITE RICE, GRAINS LIKE LENTIL,BLACKEYE PEAS,PINK BEANS, WHITE BEANS,EGGS ,PLAIN YOGURT, DIFFRENT CHEESES,BUTTER,GOOD GRAIN BREADS,PASTA, AND VEGGIES THAT YOU LIKE,BUT ADD ONION, GARLIC,PEPPERS,POTATOS,CARROTS AND OF COURSE SOME MILK,JUICES OIL NAMASTE

Answer 10

plant a garden....