When our kids were growing up, we were on a tight budget and I had to learn to stretch my food dollars. With today's high prices, it's back to the future for me. I'm comparing prices, clipping coupons and thinking twice about recipes with expensive ingredients. I even planted a little vegetable garden, with lots of herbs, because they are much cheaper to grow than to buy.
Still, veggies aren't enough to satisfy many hearty appetites, including my husband's. So, what's a tasty, economical supper entree? How about spicy country ribs, or chicken and spinach rollups, or a Spanish omelet? The ribs and rollups are both less than $2 per serving, and the omelet is a bargain at 50 cents per serving.
The ribs, bathed in a spicy, easy-to-prepare sauce, become very tender after long hours in a slow cooker. The rollups take a little more prep time, but it's worth it. Even kids who ask suspiciously "What's this green stuff?" won't know you've tucked some nutrition inside the lasagna noodles.
The potato-and-onion omelet, also known as a Spanish tortilla, is served at any time of day in Spain, but I make them when I'm out of nearly everything, but am too lazy or pressed for time to go to the store.
Anne Gillespie Lewis is a Minneapolis writer. Have recipes or thrifty tips to share? Send them to thethriftycook@ gmail.com, or by mail to Taste/ Thrifty, Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488.
