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Heartwings Love Notes 965 - Thrifty Times

Heartwings says, "Good, nourishing food does not need to be expensive."

Not many if any of my readers will remember the rationing of food and other items that was part of WW-ll at home. I still have a ration book from then. I was young, however certain memories remain. One is of the bag of white stuff with a capsule in the middle. It was margarine, and the contents of the capsule were massaged into the white part until it looked like butter. We had plenty of eggs because my mother and father raised chickens. I earned my weekly allowance of fifty cents by feeding and watering them.

Later, as a young mother I had lots of thrifty tricks to stretch my food budget. I used margarine half and half with butter when I baked my twice weekly batches of cookies for my five children. I bought inexpensive cuts of meat and made sure to use every bit of the chickens I roasted; the bones were used for soup. I used to grind up the left- over Sunday roasts in my meat grinder, cranking the handle around and around and then create casseroles. There was also a dish I liked because it stretched one pound of hamburger to feed all seven of us: Slumgulion. Here is my version.

For two or three people, a half-pound of hamburger is perfectly adequate. For Stephen and me and perhaps one guest, I sauté half a chopped onion, a stalk or two of chopped celery and some of a chopped red, yellow or green pepper in olive oil. Sometimes I sauté some mushrooms in butter first, then add the olive oil and vegetables. I add the hamburger and break it up in the pan. A two-pronged carving fork is very useful here. Canned or frozen corn and green beans, or green peas are good to add. Stir together and add ground garlic, thyme, and/or other herbs, some beef broth or some unflavored coconut milk. I might add rice I make ahead or boil some pasta and serve it over that.

More recently I discovered an amazing and thrifty recipe using overripe avocados. You know how it ls to open one and realized it's over the hill. Now you can do this instead. Avocado Pudding: 1 or two very ripe or even overripe avocados

2 Tbs per (avocado) Maple Syrup

3 to 4 Tbs per, chocolate powder, to taste

1/8 tsp salt

1 Tbs Vanilla

(1 ripe medium sized banana optional)

Discard seed and scoop avocados into food processor, all of it, even the icky parts, add rest of ingredients and process until smooth. The banana adds a lot of sweetness and smoothness, it's good either way. Serve with any kind of cream—I like the Almond Vanilla flavored creamer, if you feel decadent use whipped cream and enjoy! Please be brave and try it! It tastes rich and good.

May your food be nourishing, tasty, and satisfying too.

PS Do you have a tasty treat that is thrifty and easy to make? I'd love to see it, and maybe even make it. Drop me a line at tashahal@gmail.com or tashahal@aol.com and let me hear from you. Readers' emails make my day. For more Love Notes please visit my web site at www.heartwingsandfriends.com.
 

I love to hear from readers and would be honored if you would comment and let me know any suggestions or thoughts. If a friend sent you this, you can sign up at my web site, www.heartwingslovenotes.com, where more love notes can be found in the archives.

Blessings and Best Regards,
Tasha Halpert
 

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