I live with my boyfriend. He works days at one job, nights at another. And I work construction during the day. So when we both get home in the afternoon we're both absolutely starving... Burger King, Quiznos, Wendy's,etc starts to look quite appealing.
It's not good for either of us, and its starting to show more on me than him. I know a healthier meal would be better. But its tiring to spend another extra hour of the day to make something that I'm going to throw half of away. And also even though it is carry out, spending under 10 bucks for a filling meal from some fast food place is actually really cheaper than going to the store and buying meats and other side dishes enough to fill us.
So any suggestions are helpful, preferably cheap and healthy.. but if just one or the other, thats cool too. And I know its alot to ask.. but no offence you vegetarians n stuff.. i NEED meat or something substantial that doesnt have bleu cheese crumbles or pine nuts or something weird in it.
2007-09-02 08:50:00 · 5 answers · asked by KeLsO 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
You're right! Fast Food is not balanced nutritionally.
Processed food is also no bargain either.
You need protein, carbs, & veggies, maybe fruits & nuts.
Cheapest proteins are: eggs, ground beef, & chicken.
Easiest carbs are: rice & pasta. Potatoes are best baked.
All veggies are good, go for the most variety in colour.
Large casseroles or pasta dishes can be made ahead.
Divide into individual or double portions & freeze.
Slow-cookers are amazing meal-makers, be creative.
Again, divide into portions & freeze left-overs.
2007-09-02 09:13:08 · answer #1 · answered by Robert S 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you have a place with bulk products, stock up on flour, rice, pasta - the staples. Buy a big bag of potatoes, keep onions on hand. Shop the specials. Were I live chicken and pork is very cheap and the stores are having price wars and whole chickens are like 78 cents a pound. I got a pork roast that was huge and 98 cents a pound. Those huge things of like 36 eggs really are cheaper than buying them by the dozen. Only buy seasonal veggies and fruit.
2016-05-19 05:54:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try taking an afternoon some weekend and making up a huge batch of spaghetti sauce, then freeze it in batches just the right size for the two of you. You can thaw and re-heat in the microwave, or take out in the morning to thaw, and make fresh spaghetti each time.
You could also make up mini-meatloaves (quarter size of regular loaf) and freeze them. Then reheat in microwave, make up some rice and veggies in the microwave (Pampered Chef's micro rice cooker works great!)... supper in 20 min. (start rice first!)
Here's my recipe for spaghetti sauce. It takes me less than an hour to get it to the simmer stage... then I kick back or get things done around the house for a few hours while stirring occassionally. I think you would get 10 or more suppers for two out of this:
Approx. 5 lbs extra lean hamburger
3 large green peppers
2 large spanish onions
24 fresh mushrooms (approx.)
3-5 jalapeno peppers, chopped
5-6 cloves garlic, chopped or crushed
large can tomato sauce
2 large cans stewed tomatoes
large can tomato paste
1/4 cup sugar
garlic powder to taste (or more cloves)
chili powder to taste
chili peppers to taste
cayenne pepper to taste
oregano to taste
sage to taste
basil to taste
rosemary to taste
Brown hamburger and drain fat. Add all other ingredients (prepared / chopped to size desired). Allow to gently simmer for 2-6 hours, stirring occassionally.
2007-09-02 09:05:22 · answer #3 · answered by mama_bears_den 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Here is a link to an article on cheap meals:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/334558/cut_your_food_budget_with_these_cheap.html
2007-09-03 10:03:17 · answer #4 · answered by jay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you!
Here are some good places to check out:
http://chefmichele.blogspot.com/
http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=4251&highlight=budget
http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=4251&highlight=budget
http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=53696&highlight=budget
http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=96460&highlight=budget
… budget recipes
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en&q=budget+recipes
...healthy buget recipes
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en&q=healthy+budget+recipes
…budget meals
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en&q=budget+meals
…budget menus
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en&q=budget+menus
…budget grocery shopping
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en&q=budget+grocery+shopping
http://www.americascheapestfamily.com ... have a bunch of money saving tips.
They also have a book you might want to look for if you make it to the library.
Tightwad –ideas for food and all kinds of things
http://www.tightwad.com
Best of luck!
Diane B.
2007-09-02 09:14:13 · answer #5 · answered by Diane B. 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋