Doctoring the Basics

Making due with what you have... it sounds depressing and sounds boring. But, with people losing jobs, pay cuts, job cuts, etc. This "depression" we are currently living in, food, good food is not the most important thing on your budget. My friend Phil and I made dinner together on Sunday, a budget friendly dinner. Now most of the time neither Phil or myself eats out or prepares expensive dinners, of course once in a while everyone needs to splurge, but can taste, be a splurge? I am going to continue thinking up budget dinners where the only splurge is flavor, satisfaction for your taste buds. Thinking back to a dinner, or any meal where you came away not only full, but you come away content. Its not just the food, but the way food feels in your mouth. Fatty-er foods fill your mouth with not only flavor, but the richness and the satisfaction is what makes us crave these foods.

When I was younger, we used to have to eat the Snackwell cookies and mostly diet and no-fat foods. These cookies, any flavor and type never gave you the feeling you wanted when you eat real cookies with butter and sugar. You could, and we did, eat a whole box of Snackwell cookies without feeling satisfied like you would with 2 regular cookies like Oreos.  I know that one of the reasons budget cuts on your pantry make you crave more richness and fulfillment in your meals. None of these new budget meals will make you crave anything but seconds, and that, of course, it what counts!

Phil's Grilled Cheese

Pantry items

6 slices of bread, what ever you already have on hand

Butter or margarine

6 slices of cheese, we used Kraft Singles

Grocery items

4 slices of bacon , $2.79 for a full packet of bacon

1 can of soup, I like Amy's $2.99 or Pacific $3.99 that we got at Target

This whole meal cost less than $6.50 and would feed a family of 4, but Phil and I can have leftover soup for another meal.

To make the grilled cheese, butter 1 side of each bread slice and place butter side down on a hot griddle or pan. After just a minute or so, check the bread. It should be golden brown, toasty. Flip the bread over and place 1 slice of cheese on each slice of bread. If you like bacon, take 2 slices of cooked bacon and cut each slice into 2 pieces. Put the 1/2 slice of bacon on each slice of cheese. If you have tomato or lettuce or any spices you want to add to the sandwich, add it when the cheese starts to melt. Then flip one piece of grilled cheese onto the other slice, cheese side to cheese side. Slice and enjoy. 

Heat the soup in a pot on medium-high, salt or pepper as needed. If you have corn soup and you want to stretch it you can add 1 can sweet corn or creamed corn. Also try adding leftover mixed vegetables from the night before. I like to add a little paprika for flavor and color. 

Enjoy your fulfilling budget, kid friendly meal!