Friday, March 5, 2010

Friday's Frugal Food

Once again, it's Friday......which means Frugal Food Day!


Rice & Beans.

Probably one of the cheapest meals out there, and healthy, too.  I serve rice and beans to my family at least once a month, usually twice.  There are lots of different ways you can prepare a frugal meal with these two ingredients.  Here are just a few suggestions:


  • Make a casserole with lentils and rice
  • Make spicy beans and serve them over rice
  • Or you could try a bean and rice soup
  • Or try a jambalaya-type dish
  • You could always make a bean and rice mixture and serve them in tortillas
A favorite in our home is a saucy, spicy bean concoction made in the slow-cooker.  I rinse a few large handfuls of dry beans (pinto, black or red kidney) and throw them in the slow-cooker with some chicken stock, tomato sauce and chopped tomatoes.  Sometimes I add a cup or two of extra water if they look like they'll need it.  I also add some onion, garlic, pepper, cumin and cilantro.  Cook it on high for about 8 hours.  The beans are nice and tender if they are cooked all day - no need to pre-soak them.  Serve them over brown rice with cheese, salsa and sour cream.  Add a salad or some veggies for a side dish and you have a frugal but delicious and healthy meal.  Yummy!  

This dish is so easy because I just throw everything together in the morning and don't need to worry about it all day (well, I may have to stir it once in awhile).  Ahhh, I wuv my crock pot!

26 comments:

  1. Guess what I am going to fix for dinner tonight! Great post! My husband loves beans and rice. I can't wait to try making them the way you suggested. Have a great week-end.

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  2. Following you back from Friday Follow ;)

    Cute Blog! Love rice and beans! Comfort food for me.

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  3. Great frugal tip... I will be trying this!

    Following you back from Friday Follow :)

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  4. Following from Trendy Treehouse. NIce to meet you, and I hope you can come by and visit me soon!

    http://militaryspouserollercoasterride.blogspot.com/

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  5. Thank you for stopping by my blog and following me. I'm now following you too!

    Happy Friday Follow!

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  6. Great recipe - I just love my slow cooker!! Glad you stopped by my blog. Following you back!

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  7. Happy Friday Follow! I am now following. I love money saving blogs! Mine are numbers 166, 167 and 169.

    http://whatsfordinner-mommymommymommy.blogspot.com/

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  8. Happy Friday Follow! I have to follow back! your blog is awesome! I love the tips!
    and also, we regularly have beef and rice for dinner. I stock up on beef when it is cheap, and some spices and tomatoes, sometimes some onions, and the kids love it.

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  9. Thanks for visiting my blog;-)
    Following you through FF

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  10. I love rice & beans but haven't made them in awhile, thanks for the reminder.

    Thanks for the follow, following you back.

    Have a great weekend.

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  11. Following from Friday Follows, come follow me back!
    Don’t forget to enter my Giveaway for $10 GC to mycouponhunter.com
    http://whodoesntlovecoupons.blogspot.com/
    Thanks
    Jenn

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  12. Great blog! Thanks for the visit :) I'm now following you back!
    www.hopescafe.blogspot.com

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  13. Thanks for following! Great ideas for the beans & rice. You should link it to Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.

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  14. Thank you for finding me, following you back now :)

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  15. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog :)

    I am puerto rican... I love me some beans and rice.. my mom made beans and rice everyday.. different types... yummy!

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  16. Yummy! I'm your newest blog follower, I'm so happy to meet you! I look forward to your posts. Hope you have a marvelous weekend!

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  17. Hi Tanya! Thanks for following--I'm following back! I like to have beans about once a week. My favorite is black beans, but we also love dark red kidney beans and use them in our chili recipe. I like your spices in the crockpot recipe! I'll be back to do a longer look soon:)
    Blessings,
    Wendy @ Faith's Firm Foundation

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  18. Thanks for following! I am following your blog now. I am definitely going to try out your rice and beans recipe it sounds great!

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  19. Great tip!
    Thanks for stopping by. I'm following back.
    Have a great weekend :D

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  20. Following your lovely blog on FF!

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  21. Following you right back. I love rice and beans! Lots of bang for the buck.
    Holly
    504 Main

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  22. A day late, but now following you! If you get a chance make sure you check out all 17 of my giveaways!

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  23. I love rice and beans!!! Yum!

    Thanks for finding me and now I'm following you back!

    Kristi
    Punkin Seed Productions

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  24. Good Afternoon! Happy Friday Follow! (on Saturday-lol) I am your newest follower. Come visit me :) and have a great weekend! Shoot me an email if you'd like me to subscribe, twitter or facebook.

    Bridgette Groschen
    The Groschen Goblins
    http://www.groschengoblins.com

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  25. Happy Frugal Friday (err... Sunday.) Thanks for following me; I'm following you back.

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  26. Hopping over from Friday Follows.

    I hope you follow back - nice to meet you!

    Kelly
    www.KellysLuckyYou.blogspot.com

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