I make a crab casserole that originated from failed crabcakes, actually.
1 can of crabmeat (in the tuna section, and not much more expensive) 1 small onion, petite diced 4 ribs celery, sliced super-thin salt, pepper, spices to suit mayonnaise, a good-sized dollop bread crumbs
Mix everything together in a casserole dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake at 375 for 40 minutes. Served up hot over a bit of baby spinach with sliced fresh fruits and veggies (apples, pears, and bell peppers, usually), it always feels like a "special" dish to me, without a lot of effort or expense.
Oatmeal or other hot cereal as brunches or teas on the weekend with frozen berries or sliced bananas and cinnamon rather than syrups or sweeteners -- that was a staple for my Mom, who frequently made Saturdays "two meals and a family snack" days.
One thing that I've found that completely saved on my grocery budget was not buying special beverages. I buy Juice because it's a serving of fruits/veggies and milk, and bagged/loose teas. I don't drink soda, and I don't use drink mixes; I drink water more frequently, and I'll make smoothies (a little juice, a little yogurt, some fruit (canned or frozen work as well as fresh), and a little ice all blended yield yumminess) for special treats.
I know you're looking at planting a larger victory garden; do you have anything like a co-op that would let you buy a family share in a farmer's garden? Around here, a family can spend about $200 and work one day out of every six weekend days for an enormous box of fresh vegetables each week. That might be less work/expense in the long-term for you all, with a more guaranteed ROI.
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Date: 2007-03-07 01:43 am (UTC)1 can of crabmeat (in the tuna section, and not much more expensive)
1 small onion, petite diced
4 ribs celery, sliced super-thin
salt, pepper, spices to suit
mayonnaise, a good-sized dollop
bread crumbs
Mix everything together in a casserole dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake at 375 for 40 minutes. Served up hot over a bit of baby spinach with sliced fresh fruits and veggies (apples, pears, and bell peppers, usually), it always feels like a "special" dish to me, without a lot of effort or expense.
Oatmeal or other hot cereal as brunches or teas on the weekend with frozen berries or sliced bananas and cinnamon rather than syrups or sweeteners -- that was a staple for my Mom, who frequently made Saturdays "two meals and a family snack" days.
One thing that I've found that completely saved on my grocery budget was not buying special beverages. I buy Juice because it's a serving of fruits/veggies and milk, and bagged/loose teas. I don't drink soda, and I don't use drink mixes; I drink water more frequently, and I'll make smoothies (a little juice, a little yogurt, some fruit (canned or frozen work as well as fresh), and a little ice all blended yield yumminess) for special treats.
I know you're looking at planting a larger victory garden; do you have anything like a co-op that would let you buy a family share in a farmer's garden? Around here, a family can spend about $200 and work one day out of every six weekend days for an enormous box of fresh vegetables each week. That might be less work/expense in the long-term for you all, with a more guaranteed ROI.