I've been on a $10/week grocery budget (trying to save up for a house), and was avoiding the "beans and rice" diet like the plague because the thought of it made me gag.
However, I managed to spice up black beans and rice in a way that is just downright delicious. I do all of this to taste and don't really measure anything out, but it's basically:
Jasmine rice (flavored with a little bit of lime juice and salt while cooking)
Black beans (cooked in olive oil, seasoned with lots of lime juice, and a couple dashes of chipotle and chili powder. One time I lucked out and found some pre-seasoned black beans, which were a little more expensive but WELL within my budget. Still added a bit of chipotle and lime, cuz why not?
After the beans and rice are both cooked I throw them all in a pot and mix them around. The flavor added to the beans really gets distributed nicely throughout the mix. Never thought I would find myself craving beans and rice for dinner, but I dare say that this dish is actually *savory*. Frugal meals definitely don't have to be flavorless! (Toss in some Mexican blend cheese if you feel like being fancy)
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EDIT: Some folks have asked about my $10/week budget so I'll post it below:
If you have an Aldi or other discount food store nearby I would recommend shopping there. It's where I do all my shopping and it's why I'm able to pull off the $10 / week thing.
For breakfast I usually have oatmeal with brown sugar, or breakfast sandwiches that I make myself. Ingredients for the sandwich consist of a toasted english muffin, a fried egg, cheese, and turkey bacon. For lunch / snacks I just snack on 1/2 a peanut butter sandwich throughout the day whenever i get hungry. Dinner is beans and rice or just plain pasta. I like to saute some minced garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil, then add it to buttered and salted pasta. I know pasta is total garbage food but sauteing the garlic brings out some nice flavors.
I won't always come home having spent $10 each week (for instance, Aldi sells 2lb bags of shredded cheddar cheese for about $4.80 where I live, and that will last me about three weeks). During shopping trips when I am "under budget", I'll opt to buy myself something special for a nice dinner, like a pack of Bavarian bratwursts for homemade currywurst or some chicken tikka masala. When eating on a super strict budget, I think it's important to treat yourself when you have a few spare dollars left over. For one, it keeps you from getting bored of eating the same old stufff, and it also makes those dinners feel *extra special* when you have the money to make and enjoy them.
August 19, 2018 at 06:33PM
