#cheap food recipe

[brokeafandhungry]

Lentil Soup

1 cup of dry lentils (add 4 cups of water to every cup of lentils you use)

Soup veg (freeze dried or on sale, either works)

1 soup cube

a small onion if you've got it

cumin if you have it (I got mine at the cheapest place I could find)

A dash of oil if you have that onion.

A) add a dash of oil to the pot, as well as the chopped onion. Let it soften

B) combine the soup veg, soup cube, water, and lentils to your pot. Bring to a boil and then let it simmer for 35-40 minutes. Keep some water on hand just in case, those lentils freakin' swell like a beast.

Optional Optional:

Chopped hotdogs or

Flour Dumplings: 3 eggs to every cup of flour, so that you have a liquidy mass. Add some salt. Drop teaspoons of the stuff into the boiling soup. Let it cook for 10 more minutes. Super filling.

[sirpleasedonotfuckthepastasalad]

Reblog for visibility!!!

[saltandlavenderblog]

Sautéed cabbage and sausage recipe

[quilleth]

Realized i forgot to post the other recipe card I made for this year's @mxtxfoodzine!

The templates for dusting the tarts and making cookies from scrap pastry dough can be found along with all the rest of the awesome stuff everyone made in the full zine, here!

Sign-ups for the 2025 zine are also open now ;)

Text for the recipe is under the cut since i know tumblr kills image quality and i probably should've used an easier to read font too (oops).

Frangipane Tarts

Ingredients:

one package puff pastry, thawed

1 ½ tablespoons butter, softened

⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon white sugar

1 large egg

¾ cup almond flour

¼ teaspoon fine salt

⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but recommended)

3-4 tablespoons jam or fruit preserves of your choice

powdered sugar (Optional)

**cinnamon sugar (Optional)

Directions

1) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

2) Lay the sheets of puff pastry on a piece of parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Using a 3 inch circle cutter or the opening of a large drinking glass, cut an equal number of circles-2 for each tart. Depending on the size of your pastry, you should get enough for 5-6 tarts.

3) Using a 1 inch cutter or the smaller end of the glass, cut out a circle from half of your 3 inch circles so that you have a ring.

3) Lay the full circles out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat about 1-2 inches apart. Lightly moisten the edges with plain water, then place the rings on top. Prick the center of the bottom pieces with a fork, being sure not to get the outer ring.

4) Bake the pastries for 15 minutes or until it turns lightly golden brown. Reduce the oven to 375 degrees. Using a fork, press the centers of the tarts down to flatten them. Set aside.

5) Make the frangipane filling by creaming together butter and 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon of sugar with a spatula. Whisk in egg until creamy. Add almond flour, salt, vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

6) Spoon about half a tablespoon of jam into the bottom of prebaked pastry shells. Divide the frangipane filling evenly among the tarts, spooning it on top of the jam.

7) Bake tarts for about 20-25 minutes or until the pastry shells are browned and the frangipane is set; it should be risen to about the same height as the shell. Remove from the baking sheet and let cool.

If desired, dust with powdered sugar for decoration, either completely, or using the template to create a cute shape!

**While the shells are baking, cut your scrap pastries into cookies with the templates or your own cookie cutters. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly, and make cinnamon sugar in a shallow dish by combining 2 tablespoons of sugar with half a tablespoon of cinnamon (or to taste). Gently coat the cookies in the cinnamon sugar mix, so that the pastry doesn’t lose its flakiness.

[featherlesswings]

I just realized there are probably lots of you out there who don’t know how to cook, or struggle with “there’s nothing to eat” idling. And especially with finding enough food to eat for what little money you have, in these trying times.

Pending the expected price gouging from the new regime here in the US, here are some suggestions.

Cabbage! It’s cheap, for a LOT of food. Usually under $1 per pound where I live.

Eggs, depending what’s Going On Outside 🙃

Avocados are pretty inexpensive, and you can get 2 servings out of each one. They’re roughly $1 each here. If you have ramen, throw 1/4 to 1/4 an avocado on top of each serving, to make it more of a meal.

Rice is your best friend. You can add it to a lot of things to make more food. Honestly, a can of black beans, seasoning, and some rice, mashed together, makes great veggie burgers.

A small bag of flour, even if you don’t know how to bake. If you have grease left from cooking meat, you can make gravy. Broth or boullion + water, or milk is the only other thing you need.

If you don’t already drink tea, you can get a box of 20 tea bags of whatever flavor interests you, for not very much, and make a cup whenever you want something different to drink. Floral herbals are especially tasty even without sweetener. You can add ice, if you want something cold.

Tofu tends to be cheaper than meat, nowadays, at least where I live. There are lots of great recipes for flavoring and cooking it in ways that are yummy. You don’t have to be vegan to eat it, it’s just a nice, healthy protein in general. Throw some cheese on your tofu, I don’t care.

Check your local “International” section, because some things could be cheaper than the kind aimed at locals. For me, a lot of the stuff in the Hispanic food section is like half the price of the ��white people kind.” I just recently learned how to make Sopa de Fideo, without knowing what it was until I saw the pasta cost $.50, and looked up recipes. It’s delicious and incredibly cheap for a LOT of food.

In a pinch, you can make soup out of almost whatever you have left in your space. My grocery money is a day late today, so I made “scrap soup” out of the last bit of cabbage, some minced carrots, leftover chili ramen seasoning, peanut butter, and the last handful cheap dried gnocchi I had left from last week.

Cheap Lazy Vegan and FitGreenMind on YouTube both have great inexpensive recipes. Also the podcast Eating While Broke, while not usually focused on the recipes, always has one or two “this is what I ate when I was poor” recipes, which they cook and then eat together. I’ve found some interesting ideas from that show!

Here are some recipes I’ve thrown together and liked lately:

*Fraggle snack*

Cucumber

Radishes

Mayonnaise

Worcestershire

Lime juice

Cilantro, chopped

Ramen flavor packet

Uncooked ramen, crushed

Use vegetable peeler or mandolin to slice cucumber & radishes. Mix together mayo, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, & cilantro, and a teaspoon of ramen seasoning, toss with vegetables. Top with crushed ramen.

*Version 2* :

Packet tuna

Maybe a teaspoon of anchovy paste

1-2 Tablespoons mayo

Lime juice

Nutritional yeast

Half avocado

6-8 inch cucumber

2 radishes

A handful of walnuts

5-8 saltine crackers

Mix tuna, mayo, lime juice, anchovy paste, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast to taste in a bowl. Use a vegetable peeler or mandolin to slice cucumber and radishes, add to tuna mix. Cut avocado into cubes, add to bowl, stir intil combined. Chop or crumble walnuts and crackers on top.

*Crab salad*

2-3 green onions, chopped

2-3 radishes, diced or slivered

1 carrot, shredded

Snack pack of imitation crab

Half an avocado, diced

1 tablespoon kewpie mayo

2 tablespoons chive & onion cream cheese

A dash or two of Worcestershire

Cooked white rice

*Faux Congee*

1/2 - 1 c day old cooked rice

2 c water

1 1/2 teaspoon chicken Better than Boullion

Pepper, paprika, onion powder, parsley, powdered ginger : to taste

2 T sweet onion, minced

2-3 T shredded leftover chicken

One egg

Half an avocado (topping)

Heat water to boiling in a small to medium pot. Stir in boullion until combined, then add rice and break up with spoon. Season to taste, add onions, and cook until onions are cooked and broth is thickened/rice have swelled and split. Add shredded chicken, return to boil, and crack in raw egg. Cover, wait until top of egg turns white, remove from heat. Serve with avocado on top.

Alternatively, you could toss in minced or shredded carrots at the same stage as the onion, or replace the chicken with protein of choice.

*Potato soup*

2 cups water per person (or broth)

1 cube boullion per cup water (omit if using broth)

1 large potato per person

1 large carrot per person

1/8 vidalia onion per person

1 T butter per person

1/4 c milk per person

1/4 c ham per person

1-2 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled, per person

1/4 c peas per person

2-3 bay leaves

Dried parsley

S&p to taste

Bring water to boil in an appropriate sized pot, add bouillon cubes, carrots, & onions. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, add potato, butter, & seasonings. Continue to simmer until potatoes & carrots are tender, add preferred meat, peas, & milk. Simmer 5 minutes more, serve.

[vaguely-concerned]

so was anyone going to tell me that tinned anchovy and some spices sizzled in olive oil makes the most delicious sauce you've ever tasted in your life or was I just going to have to have that semi-religious experience by myself

[fruityfoods]

Easy chickpea curry

2 cups dried chickpeas (soaked)

1 chilli sliced

1/2 a knob of ginger thinly sliced

1 can of coconut cream

3 large table spoons of chana masala

Coconut sugar to taste

Step 1: Partially boil your chickpeas until you can crumble one between your fingers (if using canned chickpeas skip this step) drain and set aside.

Step 2: In a dry pot add your oil of choice (I use half and half olive and butter) just enough to cover the bottom. Add your chilli and ginger cold and bring up to a low medium temperature.

Step 3: once at temperature add your chana masala powder and stir rapidly as it foams

Step 4: when the spices just begin to darken add your chickpeas stirring rapidly to cover quickly

Step 5: add the coconut cream + 1 can of water stir through making sure the spice paste hasn’t stuck to the bottom.

Tips: goes great with seafood, udon noodles, rice

I used Tyson dried chickpeas entirely forgetting they are quite tricky to cook through evenly. Look for pale plump dried chickpeas in the store as Tyson’s shells although a great source of fibre can change the texture and cooking time significantly.

Try mixing in some keens curry powder to your spice mix.

Rinsing the chickpeas after the par boil can slow down how quickly the curry thickens.

Be mindful of saltiness, the brand of chana masala powder i brought is very strong I added some lime juice to cut through it which tastes great.

Keeping the lid on but partially cracked can save you a lot of time during clean up, spice stains are very difficult to get out

[bookshopwitch]

mug cake for when you're actually broke and need to eat (4 ingredients, no sugar, no eggs)

disclaimer: this recipe obviously assumes you have access to the ingredients needed. sometimes you won't. this is for people who do. it's all non-perishable staples, and things you could get in a food bank.

you will need (measurements are not precice, i do this by eye):

2 tbsp of plain or self raising flour 2 tbsp of hot chocolate powder or cocoa powder (or melted real chocolate if you happen to have it) 5(ish, until cake batter consistency) tbsp of cold water or milk (if you have it) 2 tbsp of any fat (i usually use vegetable oil)

method:

put it all in a mug (go for a bigger mug or a bowl if using self raising as it will rise when cooked) mix mix mix until no lumps microwave in 10-20 second bursts until a fork or knife comes away a little crumby but otherwise clean let sit for a minute so you don't burn your mouth eat <3

[egglygreg]

This is a recipe for Nangari Burgers, a tasty cheap way of feeding a bunch of people. My grandmother used to make them for bbqs and events at my old primary school (you can see the bulk version of the recipe on the bottom half of the paper)

Nangari Burgers

400 grams of mince

1/2 cup of water

1/2 cup of milk

1 cup of flour

1 carrot

1 onion

1 packet of powder chicken noodle soup

2 eggs

Basically, you just chop up the onion and carrot fairly fine, then add in everything and mix together in a big bowl. It makes a kind of batter (a bit like pancake mix). Then, you treat it like pancake mix and just ladle it onto a hot BBQ or pan and cook until cooked through. Makes about 15 burgers.

Whack one between some white bread with tomato sauce, and there you go!

[humanlyimprobable]

Heyy shh shshshshsh don't cry, buy a bulk pack of pierogies (any flavour you like), bake until golden brown, top with sour cream, great value chipotle & ancho hotsauce, honey, and salt and pepper to taste.

Use a spare piece of bread to soak up any sauce left behind.

Ok?

[brokeafandhungry]

Baked Apple Slices (If you have an oven)

Good as a snack but also when you just need something sweet.

Cheapest apples you can find.

Butter.

The cheapest cinnamon you can find. I got mine from the bottom shelf of my discounter. I don't care what people say about freshness.

A bit of sugar.

Chop your apple into slices, however many you want. Add slices, the cinnamon, some butter (not much, like a pat or two), and the sugar. Mix so it's evenly covered. Add to the baking pan and bake for 40 ish minutes on 350 F/190 C. It might take longer if your slices are thick.

This recipe has a lot of advantages.

Hits the sweet spot. Few ingredients. Ingredients stretch out very far, meaning multiple snacks. Easy peasy lemon squeezy (assuming you have a toaster oven or full sized oven and are able-bodied enough to cut the apples).

[sirpleasedonotfuckthepastasalad]

Quick Low-Cal Custard Oats

Hey everyone!

Looking for a breakfast that’s delicious, diet-friendly, and won’t break the bank? My Quick Low-Cal Custard Oats are here to save the day! This creamy, custardy delight satisfies your sweet tooth without derailing your weight loss goals. Plus, it's easy on the wallet—just a few simple ingredients, and you're good to go!

Let’s get started!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup plain stovetop oatmeal (unsweetened)

1 cup water

Salt to taste

2 tbsp instant pudding mix (adjust to taste)

Directions:

Boil the water: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil over high heat.

Mix in pudding: Add 2 tbsp of pudding mix and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth to avoid clumps. Adjust the amount of pudding mix to your sweetness preference—I like mine pretty sweet, but you can start with 1 tbsp or even half if you prefer a milder flavor.

Cook the oats: Stir in 1/2 cup of plain oats and cook to your desired tenderness. I like mine a bit firmer.

That’s it! Quick, easy, and budget-friendly. You can use any flavor of pudding mix you like. Chocolate, butterscotch, and vanilla are popular choices, but feel free to experiment!

Nutrition Facts (approximate per serving):

With Sugar-Free Pudding Mix:

Calories: 150

Carbs: 28g

Protein: 4g

Fat: 2g

Fiber: 4g

Sugar: 1g

With Regular Pudding Mix:

Calories: 180

Carbs: 36g

Protein: 4g

Fat: 2g

Fiber: 4g

Sugar: 9g

Why You'll Love It:

Quick and Easy: Ready in just a few minutes, perfect for busy mornings.

Budget-Friendly: Uses simple, inexpensive ingredients.

Diet-Friendly: At around 150-180 calories per serving, these custard oats are a low-calorie breakfast option that keeps you full and satisfied.

Customizable Sweetness: Adjust the amount of pudding mix to suit your taste preferences—sweet tooth or more subdued, it’s up to you!

And I know what you're thinking—' This doesn't sound like breakfast, this sounds like dessert!' Well, if chocolate chip pancakes, cinnamon toast waffles, or donuts can be breakfast, why not custard oats? At least the oats have fiber!

Tip: Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a handful of fresh berries on top for an extra special touch. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try a dollop of peanut butter!

Enjoy your breakfast and stay on track with your goals

[saltandlavenderblog]

Easy chicken and cabbage stir fry recipe

[beau-rebloga-coisas]

Oh I hate when more middle to high class (not rich rich) start to latch onto things poor people have done since forever and make it into ~fancy~ stuff like:

-Biking to your job

-Eating leftovers

-Buying from thrift store/getting hand downs

-Avoid eating out

-Taking walks instead of using your car

"Oh look at this new trick to save money/save the environment" Babe you're stealing poor people culture and gentrifying it instead of making accessible for everyone

[moinsbienquekaworu]

Huge culinary win, just tried a cucumber salad recipe that makes it taste just like this place I like

[sam-daughterofposeidon]

The “I am hungover and have no money” Ramen

•First get these things

Plus an egg for every pack of ramen you are cooking, I forgot to get the eggs out

•boil your ramen and strain

•Using the Hatsune Miku chopsticks that you got your roommate for Christmas does make it cook faster!

•In the same pot you cooked your ramen it, lower the heat to like 3 or 4

•Add butter and let it melt, then put in however much brown sugar you want. Preferably less than the amount of butter you used but I do not care.

•it should look like this

•Add garlic obviously, stir and let it cook till it starts smelling really good

•Add the noodles back in and stir with the Hatsune Miku chopsticks

•I like to add about 3/4s of the seasoning packet

•Add the sweet soy sauce, the noodles should look nice and brown from the soy sauce.

• Move the noodles to the side so you can crack the eggs into the bottom of the pan and let them cook a bit like so

•once the eggs are sufficiently cooked, whip that shit into the noodles, almost like a carbonara texture?

Done! It should probably be a bit more brown than this pic but whatever

Is it healthy? no but it is yummy and cheap