Creatively Frugal Dinners

So I have had it in my heart to start sharing recipes that would be a blessing to those busy mommas who want to make wholesome "heart" foods without breaking their coinpurse to do it.

And what about all those ingredients? You know the odd inclusives that rarely grace the shelves of our pantry. I love spices but find that I have so much yet to learn that I am inadequately prepared to choose wisely as I stand before the ample diversity provided in my local spice aisle.

At any rate, I have always loved the challenge of being creative in my kitchen. There is just something about literally making something out of nothing. Even more so when I am committed to using only what I have and making my storage of food last.

I think about the women of the depression era, my great-grandmother was one of these women. She didn't waste a thing. ... sigh.. I can't say I have learned that trait, but I am trying. The addage, "Waste not, Want not" , comes to mind whenever I find my guilt button depressed as I empty my refrigerator into my compost bowl.( Note... when I had my chickens I could feed them almost anything and somehow assuaged the guilt-trip of feeling like a wasteful person, and adding to the compost pile brings the thought of creating a great soil for my next year's seedlings, then feel a ray of hope.)

I remember my mom saying often, she used what she had and they never went without. Even butchering time was well plotted as they used every aspect of the animal in a plethora of ways. Some of them I cringe to think of but what I admire more than anything was the resourcefulness she possessed.

Resourceful....to be counted in the same likeness brings a smile of satisfaction to my face. I am learning, however, to be resourceful. To be a woman who can bless her family by the work of her hands and give glory to God as a consistent and wise woman.


With these recipes I hope to also inspire you to be a virtuous woman, whose worth is far above rubies or pearls. A wise woman who looks well into the ways of her household. A gentle adversary to her husband and a woman who delights in her children. A woman who teaches those who come to her and gives with generous measure, giving glory to God as she shares her gifts.

Proverbs 31:10
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The definition of a virtue is having the quality of being able to make the right choices and avoiding the wrong wones.

Synonymns of virtuous are: good, moral, ethical, upright, honourable, excellent, pure, worthy, honest, righteous, exemplary, blameless, praiseworthy, uncorruptible, high-principled.

Begin seeing yourself as a woman of virtue, whose value and worth is beyond that of precious gems. See that through His blood, the filling of His Spirit and the gift of His grace we can claim those words and make them our own.


One of my favorite stories in the gospels involves a woman and her desperation yet more importanly her faith in Christ's power to heal. In Matthew 9:20-22 and Mark 5: 25-34 we read of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' robe. He stopped.... he turned.... he looked for her. He knew she touched him.. He knew her desperation... He knew her need. And He KNEW it was met. Mark tells us virtue had gone out of him at the moment she touched the hem of His garment.

Virtue

Go to the throne of Grace... receive mercy.... touch the hem of His robe and draw on His virtue. We are a throng of those in need of the drops of heavenly sustance coming from the saturated cloak of the King of Mercy.

Virtue

You are a virtuous woman. Your worth is far above rubies and pearls. Go be a blessing and pass on that virtue to your family and those who are sent to your mission field.


Frugal Meal Ideas#1.

Ingredients needed.

3-5 lb. Pork Roast
Potatoes
Rice
Broccoli Slaw
Barbeque Sauce
Onions
Green Peppers
Garlic, Salt, Peppercorns, Italian Seasoning
Veggies
Broth


1st Day.

Cook your Pork Roast in the Crockpot on Low all day. Place it in your slow cooker with 1 cup of water. Season with garlic, salt, peppercorns. Layer with sliced onions.

Options: Add Potatoes and Carrots to the pot and dinner is complete.

Start a loaf of artisan bread (www.artisanbreadinfive.com) when you put the roast in, or begin a loaf of french bread.

If you don't like the greasy taste of the pork roast with your potatoes. Take some new potatoes, quarter and roast in the oven with onions and olive oil, don't forget the salt and pepper with garlic.


When supper is over shred the left-over meat. Don't throw away any left over potatoes.. put them in the fridge for the next meal.

Or...you can put any potatoes and veggies in the freezer to throw in a soup at some point.



Meal #2

Pulled BBQ Pork

You can use your favorite barbeque sauce or one of my favorites is below.

Equal portions of Ketchup and Western Dressing.
1 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. vinegar
1 Tbsp. brown sugar ( or honey)
dash of worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Mix well. Pour on the meat. Add chopped onions and green peppers. Put in your crockpot on low ( make sure you add a little water to the pot so it doesn't burn). Or throw in your oven or on the stove.

You can take any left over potatoes, warm them in the oven with a little olive oil or butter. When warm, smash them with a potatoe masher. Add garlic, chives, salt and pepper. Yumm!


Meal #3

Stirfry Pork and Veggies with rice.

Make a good portion of rice and set aside.

Put a little olive oil in a pan. Mix the broccoli slaw and shredded pork ( 1-2 cups) in a pan. Drizzlw with soy sauce. Add 1 tsp. of garlic powder or chop a clove of garlic, and sautee.

Mix together 1 Tbsp. honey, 2 Tbsp water, 1 tsp. ginger, 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tsp. soy sauce.

Pour over the meat and veggies and sautee till warm.

Serve over rice.

You can also take this mixture and put it in egg roll wrappers. Follow the cooking directions on the back of the egg roll package and enjoy!


Meal #4:

Vegetable Soup

You can create a lovely vegetable soup with the left over veggies, rice and meat from your roast.

In a pot add 2 quarts of your favorite broth. Add your veggies and your meat and simmer.

Some of my favorites are tomatoes, cabbage, green beens, onions, and corn. Throw in some pearled barley or rice and you have a hearty and delicious soup. The flavor of the tomatoes and the cabbage is delicious.

For those of you cringing becasue I suggested you "throw it all together".. here are some measurments.

Hearty Veggie Soup

1-2 qts. of diced tomatoes. ( up to 4 cans)
2 qts. of broth
1 onion diced
2-4 diced carrots
1 c. green beans
1/2 c. corn
1-2 c. shredded cabbage
1/2 c. diced celery

1-2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. basil, rosemary, oregano, and thyme ( or you can get italian seasoning)
1 tbsp. dried parsley, or handful of fresh. ( wait till the end if using fresh)


Bring the broth and tomatoes to a low boil. Cook the root veggies, onions and celery till tender. Add barley or rice and corn and cook till done. You can always add a dash of parmesan cheese or put a wedge of parmesan in the soup for flavor.

Yumm! :)


Frugal Napkin Tip:

Make your own napkins and save the cost of paper napkins. You can get material pieces from fa fabric stores that are discarding swatches of fabric. Sew a simple hem and you have instant napkins. Or... look at thrift stores for fun fabric swatches and pick them up for just pennies. Your family will feel so special with their new napkins.


Blessings to you!
Dawn