Frugal Menus and Recipes

We all know that grocery prices are going up. I normally am a pretty frugal shopper but lately have been re-doubling my efforts and looking for ways to combat the ever climbing prices.

I thought I might start sharing some of the menus and recipes I come up with during the week, thinking that for one thing, my kids might read this and benefit from this and others may benefit too.

The following menus are a partial list because quite honestly, I can't remember what we had before Wednesday.

Wednesday Night Supper:
**Potato Cheese Soup
Saltine Crackers

Thursday Night Supper:
**Chili Topped **Cornbread (with shredded cheese and chopped green onion)
Raw broccoli florets and ranch dressing (used the great value brand dressing)

Friday Night Supper:
**Mackerel Croquettes
Macaroni and Cheese (great value brand)
Steamed Zucchini (.78 lb)

THE RECIPES:

**POTATO CHEESE SOUP
In a 4 quart pot melt 4 tablespoons butter and add:
2/3 cup onion, chopped (or teaspoon onion powder)
3 stalks celery, washed and chopped small
After onion and celery has cooked a couple minutes add:
6 Large Potatoes, diced
3 cans chicken broth and 2 cans water
Let potatoes boil till tender
Add:
1 tsp salt
pepper to taste (I use 1 tsp)
Stir in 1 1/2 cups cubed velveeta and stir till melted.
Add 1 cup half and half and remove from heat and serve
Note - It makes a big pot but is really good so they will go through it fast!

**CHILI
saute 1/4 onion and 2 cloves chopped garlic in frying pan sprayed with cooking spray

Add:
3/4 pound ground beef (save a little here by reducing meat by 1/4 pound, In many dishes you will never miss it!)

Add:
1 can 15 ounce Ranch style beans
2 cans 8 ounce tomato sauce
package chili seasoning (store brand)

Heat and stir on low heat 15 minutes


**CORNBREAD
2 cups cornmeal
2 cups flour
4 Tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
3 cups milk
Mix well and pour into 9x12 pan sprayed with cooking spray or coated with oil. Cook at 425*F for 25 minutes.


**MACKEREL CROQUETTES
2 Tablespoons flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 can drained, deboned mackerel or salmon
1 teaspoon cajun seasoning (optional)
2 chopped green onions (optional)

Mix together. Form six patties and fry in VERY small amount of oil. All you need is enough oil to coat bottom of skillet.