Rainy Day Saturdays and CHEAP white Bean Soup

It's been a gloomy rainy day. 

Bring on the soup. Especially good, when you're broke.  

Beans, the frugal cook's best friend.

It just so happened I had some beans stored so I made my vegetarian version of the US Senate Navy Bean Soup -

If you've followed me, you'd know I don't like to measure things - and when I give out a recipe, it's only my uneducated guess. If you want exact measurements, then go to the cooking channel. (I hope by now, you know I am kidding)

CHEAP White Bean Soup - 

1  lb bag of dried small white beans
onion
celery
carrots
garlic (lots of it)
leftover mashed potatoes (1 cup)
fresh rosemary
frozen spinach or kale
dried Italian seasonings

You can either soak them the night before or do what I do cheat because I forget all the time. I sort them, wash them and fill the pot with water - boil and then take off the heat for about an hour.

I drain them - add new water/vegetable broth. I finely chopped the onion, celery and carrots, threw them in. Added about 2 cloves of garlic - maybe more. Added some chopped Rosemary. I don't give measurements so you can add what you like. I'll throw in some dried Italian seasonings too - and cook for about 60-90 minutes on low heat (after you've brought it all to a boil)

Then I mash up some of the bean mixtures, add in those leftover mashed potatoes we had the other night - more garlic, salt, and pepper. Then some frozen spinach.

For a non-vegetarian - use chicken broth or use water, but use a ham bone for all that good ham flavor. A good way to use up some leftover ham.

* I prefer having ham in mine, but my husband tries to keeps a kosher diet (I don't) so I make it that way for all of us, and then I'll add some ham on the side for the rest of us.

Here's the real US Senate Navy Bean Soup.

31 Days of Challenge - Paid bills

Today I paid bills. All the ones that are due in the next week or so like the mortgage, utilities, the dentist... I have a car payment due in 2 weeks - and our car insurance that I will have to pay. I have a few smaller bills I need to pay or I might be able to work something out with them - It is much better to just call them and level with them -  I have to leave some money in the account for our life insurance payment that is automatically taken out around the 17th. I already paid the whole year of our homeowner insurance and that sure helped.

We have $300 to last till the end of the month in the checking.

Fortunately, I am a "tucker" - I tend to tuck cash here and there.  I had $374 tucked away. (Not counting the $65 in coins I have in my rainy day jar.) 

I took inventory of the food we have stored away. ( pasta, rice, beans, flour, sugar, canned items, etc) I defrosted the garage freezer and took inventory of condiments and other food items I have in the pantry.

Before going to the grocery store I checked the dog and cat food - They'll be okay for about 1-2 weeks. And detergent and cleaning supplies we had on hand.

I am so happy that my depression-era parents impressed it upon me to stock up and always try to put a little extra aside, because "you never know". I really surprised both the Husband and Navy-son. They were concerned.


The husband said we should be getting another paycheck - this week. I sure hope so. Even then, I will call and see if I can take advantage of a one-time missed payment for the car.

We had 4 salmons in the freezer so I baked a Salmon, mixed veggies, and mini-bow-tie pasta for dinner. Now we have 3.

I'm not freaking yet!







photo credit: drocksays via photopin cc

Do I really need to eat as much as I usually do?

During this challenge, I am re-thinking how much food I buy, prepare, eat and waste.

I came from a family of big eaters. Mom and Dad grew up in the depression and WW2 and so food was big to them. They did not like to waste any of it. Plus it seemed to be a badge of wealth when Mom was able to put on this huge spread every dinner. Dad was a big eater - he didn't use a regular size plate like the rest of us, Mom gave him a platter! Even back then, I thought that was a bit piggy.

"Oh your dad works hard" my Mom would tell me. He also got first dibs - I remember watching him dig into the mashed potatoes and thinking,

"there goes my seconds."

Fortunately, my folks were not fat people - although dad did eventually have heart disease. He blamed it on all the bacon and lard his Tennessee Mom used in her cooking.



Last night we had leftover lasagna. I made a fresh green salad and that was dinner. No one complained. 

NO ONE BETTER COMPLAIN.

We really do not need to eat like we used to. I am hoping in these 31 days, I will learn a better way to eat, and cook - where there is no waste - no excess - It will be good for our budget as well as our health.





photo credit: hundrednorth via photopin cc