General Discussion

ForgedCrank

(3,000 posts)

27. Speaking from

Tue Nov 4, 2025, 09:09 AM

Nov 4

experience, when I was a kid we consumed a lot of these types of meals. A dollar can go a long way if you put effort into it.
Dry Pinto beans are very affordable and go along way. You can also get ham hock etc real cheap to toss in them for some fat and flavor. Corn meal to make corn bread. Flour and milk with a little bacon grease makes fantastic gravy for biscuits. Fried potatoes go a long way for very little money as well. Spaghetti is another low-cost meal for not a lot. Other combinations of pasta and tomato are also inexpensive. And for those who are not from the hills and have never experienced it, fried baloney is awesome to add with breakfast meals. I like to chop it up and fry it with eggs and cheese in an omlet

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Trueblue Texan markodochartaigh

82 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

How to feed your family for under $5: Canned bean dinners that are really delicious [View all] riversedge Nov 4 OP

Cooking beans from their dry state is even cheaper questionseverything Nov 4 #1

Instant pot or other pressure cookers are great for dry beans IronLionZion Nov 4 #16

I always pick through them for stones or hulls questionseverything Nov 4 #63

Yes, and healthier. Beacool Nov 4 #80

A few of my favorite bean meals..... FarPoint Nov 4 #2

I'm with you on the cornbread jmbar2 Nov 4 #13

Mmmmmm! Butter beans! Attilatheblond Nov 4 #18

A bag of organic, dried chickpeas (garbanzos) is cheap... 617Blue Nov 4 #3

I make very nutritious soups with ground chicken, turkey, or very lean beef SheltieLover Nov 4 #4

Not only beans...lentils are delicious... MiHale Nov 4 #5

I have some red lentils ready for the pot. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #8

I've found the red lentils break down easily... MiHale Nov 4 #11

in lands south of the border bean scraps are served with rice to family pets peacebuzzard Nov 4 #20

My dogs LOVE pureed pinto beans. Trueblue Texan Nov 4 #35

Egyptian Red Lentil soup get the red out Nov 4 #43

this cookbook is an eyeopener. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #45

Moosewood - one the favorite cookbooks in my family - three sisters and myself. erronis Nov 4 #64

Lentils done with Indian seasonings..... cannot be beat! Attilatheblond Nov 4 #19

Curry? That is the first thing that comes to mind. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #24

Not curry so much Attilatheblond Nov 4 #30

I am making a new list for my next shopping trip. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #36

LOL. I can't spell for beans! Attilatheblond Nov 4 #39

Beans or lentils on a baked potato are my idea of a comfort meal. erronis Nov 4 #65

I like your framing better. Ms. Toad Nov 4 #28

Made red lentil soup with sweet potatoes MagickMuffin Nov 4 #71

I cook beans a lot Woodwizard Nov 4 #6

Beans carry as much protein punch as meat. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #7

Cook a pot of beans, then divide into smaller freezer dishes if you have freezer space to spare Attilatheblond Nov 4 #33

that is exactly what I do. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #37

Except - you need to eat way more beans than meat to get the protein womanofthehills Nov 4 #74

I give taurine to my cat who has heart problems peacebuzzard Nov 4 #76

Even better moonrise november Nov 4 #9

This sounds very good Jilly_in_VA Nov 4 #10

The point is moonrise november Nov 4 #12

And if you need convenience food... Trueblue Texan Nov 4 #34

blackeyed peas! not just for New Years Day anymore. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #38

Here is a GREAT lentils recipe jmbar2 Nov 4 #14

Mujadara! quite a show!!! made my mouth water! peacebuzzard Nov 4 #32

I was surprised the first time I made it due to the amount of onions jmbar2 Nov 4 #41

Mujadara is to die for! GoCubsGo Nov 4 #70

Terrific at lowering cholesterol - dense bean salad. Time saver too. lostnfound Nov 4 #15

wow alone on the cholesterol LDL reduction. I didnt know that one! peacebuzzard Nov 4 #44

I do love beans and yes, they are very nutritious but... llmart Nov 4 #17

I support everything you said. Thank you. Biophilic Nov 4 #21

I agree with what you say... Trueblue Texan Nov 4 #26

Put some tomato sauce, brown sugar, and mustard... Trueblue Texan Nov 4 #29

I am fortunate enough to not be affected by food insecurity. llmart Nov 4 #53

Thise ham bones aren't free anymore MerryBlooms Nov 4 #69

I had to think about your post for awhile since I didn't understand the "hammocks" thing. llmart Nov 4 #82

We eat beans/legumes daily Trueblue Texan Nov 4 #22

First thing my mom taught me was grilled cheese & tomato soup. JohnnyRingo Nov 4 #23

This Bean Thread - I'm really enjoying it. More Bean threads! NBachers Nov 4 #25

Speaking from ForgedCrank Nov 4 #27

a dollar and a functioning kitchen. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #48

That is ForgedCrank Nov 4 #50

For sure. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #55

Why cure it? Live with it and love it. You'll also find out who really loves you! erronis Nov 4 #68

My critters always love me peacebuzzard Nov 4 #77

Just bought canned beans 2 days ago for chili lageorgia Nov 4 #31

Austerity for people who are already suffering; Gatsby parties for the ones causing the suffering. Aristus Nov 4 #40

Gatsby parties new ballroom on one side; beans for the masses. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #49

yes, beans are yummy and nutritious... markie Nov 4 #42

Kick dalton99a Nov 4 #46

I eat a lot of beans get the red out Nov 4 #47

Canned beans are incredibly high in sodium. marybourg Nov 4 #51

I buy the no salt version of canned beans. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #56

I've never seen "no salt" claims, only "low" or "lower salt", which are still marybourg Nov 4 #58

I did mean to state low salt/ low sodium. peacebuzzard Nov 4 #59

Thanks. It looks like the lower or low sodium beans are actually lower in sodium. marybourg Nov 4 #73

I do not know where you live Lurker Deluxe Nov 4 #66

We don't seem to have H -E- B stores here in Arizona. marybourg Nov 4 #72

Tomato has a no salt version in cans peacebuzzard Nov 4 #81

I love ranch-style beans w/jalapenos over rice and a piece of pita bread....yummy! walkingman Nov 4 #52

My parents had more children than they could comfortably support. hunter Nov 4 #54

I hope the dream you state in your closing paragraph can someday be true - around the world. erronis Nov 4 #78

Even better: dried beans. marble falls Nov 4 #57

When we have to eat canned beans, and billionaires can bankrupt entire continents... Initech Nov 4 #60

+1 leftstreet Nov 4 #62

I buy dry beans, etc. from Palouse in WA as shipping is free. GreenWave Nov 4 #61

Thanks for the link, I spent some time out there looking at their products, and this place is a goldmine that I'll SWBTATTReg Nov 4 #67

You're welcome! GreenWave Nov 4 #75

The Palouse - beautiful land erronis Nov 4 #79