A cheap meal that lasts me for a few days

[Kaleva]

Ingredients

1 large zucchini-given to me by others from their gardens
1 can of tomato sauce-free from the commodities program
1 large can of meat flavored spaghetti sauce-purchased on sale for $1.30
3 cups of dried Northern beans-given away for free by the local thrift store
1 large onion-from my garden
4 cups of instant potatoes-boxes of such received free from the commodities program

Directions

soak the beans overnight and then cook as directed
cut the zucchini into 3/4 inch or so cubes
dice up the large onion
add the zucchini and onion to a large pot with the spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce and enough water to cover. Simmer till zucchini is near done and then add the already cooked beans.
Cook the instant mashed potatoes in another pot as directed

I then fill of bowl with the zucchini soup and top it with a large clump of instant mashed potatoes. I refrigerate the left over soup and potatoes in separate containers. For the next meal, I'll fill a bowl with soup, top it with the mashed potatoes and reheat in the microwave.

I've been living on this for pretty much three weeks now with some variations to the ingredients. Sometimes I'll use rice instead of mashed potatoes.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Yum. In my experience, rice shortens the shelf life of soups and stews.

I've found that it starts to decay or ferment and I'll get bubbles in the soup, even in the fridge.

Like you, I love a good vegetable based stew/soup.

Instant potatoes are a great thickener, too!

[Kaleva]

4. I make and keep the rice seperate

When the soup is almost gone, I use what's left to cover a plate of rice with. Or I'll add the rice to a bowl of the soup.

I'm not called "Mr. Excitement" around these parts for nothing!

[roguevalley]

9. yum. I like to make fried rice

boil rice and cool overnight.

fry onions and meat (I like chicken) Put to one side. scramble eggs and add onions, meat and frozen peas and carrots. Add rice. cook with flips of the old spoon for 5-10 min. while adding soy sauce to taste. Salt and pepper as you wish. Make a bunch. Its always better the next two days.

Meat can be optional. I love it no matter what.

[NYC_SKP]

10. That sounds good and healthy, and like Kaleva says, keep rice out of the soup.

And yes, good with and without meat.

The eggs sound so good, like good fried rice from my favorite Chinese place!

[roguevalley]

13. it is. green onions and eggs make the difference. you can make

it to taste after a few times. It is sooooo good even two days later. It fills, kills my cravings and all of it.

[Kaleva]

12. Now that's something I have to try!

[hunter]

2. My standby food is rice and lentils plus whatever I find or grow.

Add a small amount of a few expensive things, like olive oil and spices, and it becomes "gourmet."

I like your recipe a lot!

[Kaleva]

3. One can do much with an inexpensive base

[Arugula Latte]

5. Sounds like a good mix of flavors.

I'm wondering, though, are instant potatoes cheaper than "real" potatoes? Because I often see real potatoes for a very inexpensive price -- sometimes you can get ten pounds for under a dollar where I shop. Just throwing it out there.

[Kaleva]

6. I got the instant potatoes for free...

from the commodities program for low income people. Normally I'll buy 5 or 10 lb. bags of spuds when they go on sale.

[Arugula Latte]

7. Well, okay, that is an even better price!

[4_TN_TITANS]

14. Our local IGA has 50# bags of taters for $9.99.

Soups/stews, mashed, baked, fried, etc. - we get tons of meals. Hands down, the best grocery bang for the buck around here.
I luv me some taters!

[LWolf]

8. I make all kinds of soups and stews in my crockpot.

I can put it on low before I leave for work, it's ready when I get home, and I keep re-heating for a few days until it's gone and I start another.

I use all kinds of things, depending on what I have on hand.

Here's a favorite:

(1) large can of diced tomatoes
(1) bag of frozen black eyed peas, or dried/soaked overnight and drained
(1) bag of frozen okra or fresh, washed and cut
(3) onions, quartered
Some garlic, fresh or granulated; sea salt; paprika
Some sweet peppers, seeded and sliced;
A tbs of coconut oil
Some wild rice, placed on the very top to steam, but not touching the liquid (tomato juice) on the bottom.
Sometimes a boned chicken thigh.
Any other veggies on hand, fresh or frozen: zucchini, green beans, spinach, celery...

Another:

White beans of any kind, soaked and drained; lots of quartered onions; garlic, sea salt, paprika; a couple of slices of bacon or pork belly or a ham hock; all the green things I can find.

Another: replace white beans with lentils.

Or, without the crockpot, a can of white beans, a slice of bacon, some chopped onion, some fresh spinach, some fresh garlic; saute everything but the beans in some coconut oil, add beans, heat through.

Meat not required, but it adds flavor if I have it on hand.

[Blue_In_AK]

11. I have a zucchini in my refrigerator from my garden

that weighs 6 lbs 15 oz. is that large enough?