I never quite warmed up to those pre-packed microwave instant "soup in a second" type soups or stews. We're missing the pleasure of simmering and stirring a gigantic pot of delicious, aromatic ingredients. A big pot of soup or stew does more than fills your family's bellies... it says "we're home." Ladle out big bowls of homemade soup and you not only thrill your family, but your pocketbook, as well.
If you have a traditional family recipe for chicken soup or beef stew, but you have not ventured much further, this struggling economy could, and should, be the time to experiment. There is a vast variety of soups, stews, and chowders that are just waiting for your creative hand. And, don't worry, just because they are economical doesn't mean they are less nutritious. On the contrary, you may be surprised by the amount and quality of nutrients in these simple dishes.
Very often, the first ingredient in any soup is chicken broth. Yes, I sometimes use those canned and boxed varieties. However, never underestimate the power of your own homemade chicken broth. First, you control the salt that goes into your own broth. Second, you control the flavor. I like to use a lot of onion, celery, and black pepper, but no carrots at all. Other people like carrots, but no celery. How you make it is up to you, but the main thing is you can make yourself a nice supply of chicken broth, freeze it, and it's ready when you are, and for a great deal less money.
Once you decide to make your own chicken broth, you can choose between a couple methods. If you have a leftover chicken carcass from a roasted chicken dinner, go ahead and boil up those bones with whatever seasonings and vegetables you would like. You can also purchase a whole chicken to use, and you'll have cooked chicken to chop up and store to use for other meals. Just be sure to cool it as rapidly as possible, then store in freezer-safe containers.
Our mothers and grandmothers knew a thing or two about stretching the food budget. Now that we're trying to make ends meet while feeding our family, we need to take a little lesson from them. It's time to start cooking with "soup bones" again. Soup bones pack an incredible amount of flavor to our soups, stews, and chowders. See the butcher if you can't find the soup bones in the meat department. They'll be thrilled to provide you with whatever soup bone you want because they need to get rid of them. Often there will be enough little pieces of meat left on the bone to add to your soup once the simmering is finished. Your dog will love you, too. Throw doggie a nice, big knuckle bone and watch that tail wag!
Beans, peas, and lentils have recently made a comeback for several reasons. Many vegetarians use beans as a meat-substitute, but they are also a vegetable, so beans have a wide range of nutrients to help everyone balance their diet. Beans and peas add wonderful flavor to soups and stews as well as thicken and add texture. Just when you think you've tried every recipe there is for Black Bean Soup or Split Pea Soup, you'll find ten more with added tweaks. Then there are the more unusual combinations to try like Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew. If you're watching your wallet these days, you'll soon understand why cooking up a batch of bean, pea, or Lentil Soup. Besides, they're yummy, too!
Another great soothing soup is Potato Soup. Potatoes are inexpensive and nutritious and make a wonderfully smooth and thick base for any soup. There are many ways to make Potato Soup and there are countless recipes with ideas for adding different ingredients. You can start with a simple base of potato soup and add ham, cheese, or vegetables, and wind up with a very filling and flavorful soup. Top your Potato Soup with some shredded cheese, and a few crispy croutons, and you've got a meal that is really going to fill the tummies!
We can't forget to mention the whole family of Chowders. Whether you're cooking Corn Chowder using the most basic of recipes, or you're working some magic by adding seafood or ham, any Chowder can hold it's own against your family's appetite. This is a dish that is very satisfying, meaning no one leaves the table hungry. Your food budget will thank you, too.
When you're planning your menu for the week, have you included at least one or two soup nights? There will be no complaining when your family comes home to the wonderfully warm aroma wafting through the house. Ahhh... soup. We're home.
If you have a traditional family recipe for chicken soup or beef stew, but you have not ventured much further, this struggling economy could, and should, be the time to experiment. There is a vast variety of soups, stews, and chowders that are just waiting for your creative hand. And, don't worry, just because they are economical doesn't mean they are less nutritious. On the contrary, you may be surprised by the amount and quality of nutrients in these simple dishes.
Very often, the first ingredient in any soup is chicken broth. Yes, I sometimes use those canned and boxed varieties. However, never underestimate the power of your own homemade chicken broth. First, you control the salt that goes into your own broth. Second, you control the flavor. I like to use a lot of onion, celery, and black pepper, but no carrots at all. Other people like carrots, but no celery. How you make it is up to you, but the main thing is you can make yourself a nice supply of chicken broth, freeze it, and it's ready when you are, and for a great deal less money.
Once you decide to make your own chicken broth, you can choose between a couple methods. If you have a leftover chicken carcass from a roasted chicken dinner, go ahead and boil up those bones with whatever seasonings and vegetables you would like. You can also purchase a whole chicken to use, and you'll have cooked chicken to chop up and store to use for other meals. Just be sure to cool it as rapidly as possible, then store in freezer-safe containers.
Our mothers and grandmothers knew a thing or two about stretching the food budget. Now that we're trying to make ends meet while feeding our family, we need to take a little lesson from them. It's time to start cooking with "soup bones" again. Soup bones pack an incredible amount of flavor to our soups, stews, and chowders. See the butcher if you can't find the soup bones in the meat department. They'll be thrilled to provide you with whatever soup bone you want because they need to get rid of them. Often there will be enough little pieces of meat left on the bone to add to your soup once the simmering is finished. Your dog will love you, too. Throw doggie a nice, big knuckle bone and watch that tail wag!
Beans, peas, and lentils have recently made a comeback for several reasons. Many vegetarians use beans as a meat-substitute, but they are also a vegetable, so beans have a wide range of nutrients to help everyone balance their diet. Beans and peas add wonderful flavor to soups and stews as well as thicken and add texture. Just when you think you've tried every recipe there is for Black Bean Soup or Split Pea Soup, you'll find ten more with added tweaks. Then there are the more unusual combinations to try like Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew. If you're watching your wallet these days, you'll soon understand why cooking up a batch of bean, pea, or Lentil Soup. Besides, they're yummy, too!
Another great soothing soup is Potato Soup. Potatoes are inexpensive and nutritious and make a wonderfully smooth and thick base for any soup. There are many ways to make Potato Soup and there are countless recipes with ideas for adding different ingredients. You can start with a simple base of potato soup and add ham, cheese, or vegetables, and wind up with a very filling and flavorful soup. Top your Potato Soup with some shredded cheese, and a few crispy croutons, and you've got a meal that is really going to fill the tummies!
We can't forget to mention the whole family of Chowders. Whether you're cooking Corn Chowder using the most basic of recipes, or you're working some magic by adding seafood or ham, any Chowder can hold it's own against your family's appetite. This is a dish that is very satisfying, meaning no one leaves the table hungry. Your food budget will thank you, too.
When you're planning your menu for the week, have you included at least one or two soup nights? There will be no complaining when your family comes home to the wonderfully warm aroma wafting through the house. Ahhh... soup. We're home.
About the Author:
Saving money and eating well can both be done at the same time when you serve delicious budget-friendly dishes like Bean Bacon Soup or this easy to make Traditional Black Bean Soup. Feed your family hearty soups while saving money? Can do!
