Dried beans are a valuable food to like when you're on a budget. They're one of the cheapest sources of protein there is, and they are highly nutritious. They work well in so many dishes, they're low-calorie, and they just plain taste good!
This chili is an example of the way we usually eat, when I'm not off trying fun new recipes. We use the foods we have readily available (usually leftovers in the fridge) and throw something together that is quick, healthy, nutritious, and inexpensive.
Tonight, Jeff did precisely that. He cooked up about 1/4 pound ground beef and 1/2 cup onion. When they were cooked and drained, he added a can of diced tomatoes, some canned carrots from the fridge (about 1/4 cup), some leftover pinto beans (about 3/4 cup), 1/4 cup water, and then seasoned it up. He used salt, pepper, minced garlic, chili powder, barbecue sauce, and the secret ingredient: apricot jam (about 2 tbsp, just enough to add a tiny touch of sweetness). He cooked all this on medium low for a good long time (about 25 minutes). We served it with some home-canned jalapenos from last summer. We added these on the side because the kids would definitely have not eaten this if they were mixed in!
This was a great way for us to use up some leftovers (carrots and beans), and enjoy a deliciously cheap meal at the same time. Hooray for a delicious budget food - dry beans!
About 4 servings
200 calories per serving
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThe apricot jam is a nice touch. I might try this sometime, perhaps even with soya mince.
It would be good to see a post about your vegetable garden, I would very much like to grow my own veg. but am not sure how to go about it and I'm presuming it's late in the season anyway.