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Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!
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Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!
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I want to be able to make hearty meals for my family but using the ingredients that's already in the pantry.  I'm just not sure how to be creative with some of the items in the pantry, such as b
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Forums » Baking Forums » Healthy Cooking and Baking » Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

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Forums  »  Baking Forums  »  Healthy Cooking and Baking  »  Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 4/25/2012 5:44 PM EDT
Posts: 1
First: 4/25/2012
Last: 4/25/2012

I want to be able to make hearty meals for my family but using the ingredients that's already in the pantry.  I'm just not sure how to be creative with some of the items in the pantry, such as beans, rice and all types of noodles.  Help!
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 4/25/2012 7:32 PM EDT
Posts: 1468
First: 9/9/2008
Last: 5/21/2013
Hi Stephanie and welcome to VBB.  This site is loaded with recipes from Nestle and the people who use the site.  Just type in beans, rice or noodles in the search box at the top of the page.  That will give you recipes from main dishes to desserts using one of those three items.  I just checked and there are at least five pages for noodle recipes and probably more of the others.

It's not easy to keep coming up with new recipes to feed your family but this site will really help with that.  Good luck in your searches.
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 4/26/2012 2:31 PM EDT
Posts: 693
First: 12/31/2009
Last: 5/17/2013
I use my crockpot a lot.  By adding cream of mushroom/chicken/celery soup to rice or pasta and a meat in the crockpot, I can usually get a filling meal for my family.  Check for recipes online.  Many of them only have a few ingredients and you just put it all together and wait for it to be done.
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 4/26/2012 7:45 PM EDT
Posts: 2610
First: 10/6/2010
Last: 5/21/2013
Stephanie, I made an effort to "shop my pantry" at the start of the year.  I did pretty well.  got rid of a lot of items that I had stocked up on and made a dent in the freezer.
I plan on doing that once in a while so I keep things rotated.
I have found that a lot of stores will have close out vegetables that make a great start for soup, stew or casseroles.
Grab a selection of vegetables and a package of beans or rice and you are well on your way to a great dinner. 
Baked beans are a wonderful inexpensive and filling meal.  Add some ham or chicken and you have a very good dinner.
I try to stay away from canned soups as a base for a sauce just because of the added fat and salt.  You can make the same base by making a white sauce.  Add cheese for a Mac-N-Cheese or the base for a casserole.
The recipe feature at the top is a great help getting ideas.
I have also found that All Recipes is a great resource.  Type in the items you have in the advanced search and you will be amazed at the selection that comes up.
Good luck and have fun.
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 4/26/2012 8:44 PM EDT
Posts: 6429
First: 6/23/2010
Last: 5/22/2013
Save all the leftover veggies.  I dump anything/everything into a glass jar in the freezer.  Use some canned chicken or beef broth to cook some beans/rice/noodles - anything, then add the veggies and maybe a potato.  You'll have very good soup.
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 5/1/2012 8:23 PM EDT
Posts: 2906
First: 9/13/2011
Last: 5/21/2013

Hi STEPHANIE  D;
GRANA here;


The Items you list( rice, beans & noodles are pretty basic & a great start to many  meals
I suggest  adding canned broth; canned tomatoes, eggs & a good supply of your favorite spices & herbs to be able to  put some pretty good meals on your table:
  BEANS become BEAN SOUP; CHILI ORBAKED/BBQ BEANS
 Rice is a good BASE  or side dish for many meals.....
spoon   gravy & sauces (w/ small ieces of cooked meat or poultry)  over  plain rice (1/2cup pp). 1/2 cup pp   can be mixed into beaten eggs(1-2 eggs pp)Add chili powder or Italian seasonings to taste & scramble in a  bit of butter er OR oil til set.  Serve this w/ toast or a veggie side dish fresh or  canned fruit & cookies for dessert.Italian style (pasta) / tomato sauce  or gravy over cooked noodles.
Look in newspapers, magazines & ONLINE  for recipes.
There are many recipes here on VBB; look under recipes ( upper right) & click on caseroles; main dishes,etc for ideas .
Saturday May 5th is Cinqo di Mayo;
 google that for Mexican style recipes many made w/ canned soups.When my husband was overseas I began making International style dishes to help us observe ethnic holidays
 I put a BIG world map on the wall  & we located the country  on the map.We also looked it ( the country ) up in the encyclopedia  to earn all we could  about the culture; history, language  crops & products produced by that county.
You didn't mention how old your  children  are? If very young try to play music from the country whose food you are eating .Our ( free)  LIBRARY lends  music tapes/cassetes to  MEMBERS AT NO CHARGE  The library might also have recipe books to help you  plan & cook meals: I learned how to cook vegetarian meals from library books.
Most children like sandwiches: cold cutss with or w/o cheese; hot or cold; & not  only burgers & hot dogs
.A favorite meal in our home is/was open faced hotroast beef or turkey sandwiches.
Put a slice of bread on the plate; cover thebreadw/ slices ofcooked meat( fromt te  deli department.pour  gravy over themeat.
Serve w/ evggies( cooked or raw or mashedpotatoes o soak up some  of the gravy.Thesliced bread wil soak up alotofgravy& kids seem to love this type of meal.
Any meal folowed by fruit   & cookies is always popuar w/ kids.

 
Pastas are usually well accepted ea for kids
You don't ention having eggs but they can be great meals( potato casseroles;  French toast,pancakes.  
They cook up fast& supply great protein.
If  you needs ices & herbs for flavor ; try your nearest $$ dollar  tsore They often sell seasonings for $1or ess per  jar.The ones near us carry gravy mix pkts & botled sauces (BBQ/ Asian  ) for $1orlessper item
Popular forkids (any meal)is cereal: cold cerea w/ milk& fruit cut  into in bite sized pieces.
Cooked cereal w/ raisins, dried cranberries or brown sugar, maplesyrup are a lcome meal for hungry kids.
Serve w / a glass of milk or a mug of hot cocoa to warn & fil them up w/o your having to spend hours cooking.
sSOME SUGGGESTIONS FOR EASY MEALS THAT KIDS USUALLY LIKETO EAT!!!!!!!:
sandwiches  ALL types
 Pastas; any type w/ tomato based pasta sauceOR, butter & grated cheese or cheese shreds melted on top or mixed in.
 

GOOD LUCK& WELCOME to VBBB; 













 rice and all types of noodles.  Help!
Posted by Stephanie D[/QUOTE]
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 5/1/2012 11:59 PM EDT
Posts: 939
First: 5/3/2009
Last: 10/4/2012
In Response to Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!:
I want to be able to make hearty meals for my family but using the ingredients that's already in the pantry.  I'm just not sure how to be creative with some of the items in the pantry, such as beans, rice and all types of noodles.  Help!
Posted by Stephanie D


Welcome to VBB
Cook chicken (I buy frozen boneless, skinless breasts when on sale, less fat & no bones to worry about & I can cut into bite size or dice to stretch the meat), cut into small pieces, mix in the beans (cook if dried), cooked rice, add tomatoes (I like to buy the canned dice), onions & then spice it (garlic, cumin, etc.) put into a casserole dish add some cheese on top & bake at 350 till cheese is melted. If there is some left, make soup out of it by adding chicken broth & maybe a little more rice & or tomatoes.

Make a sauce( meat or plain) that you would use on spaghetti & sub one of the noodles for the spaghetti, any leftovers can be used for a cold pasta salad by adding onions, some fz. vegs.(corn, broccoli or a mix) & toss with Italian dressing right before serving.

Pound a chicken breast flat, season & cook till done ( I  just cook in a skillet with some garlic for flavor) add some salsa to cooked rice. You did not say how many kids (or the age) you have, so you can serve a whole breast or cut into 1/3 or 1/2 for a serving. The chicken, some rice, & green beans (I buy canned no salt added) make a nice meal.

Toss cooked noodles with butter & parsley for a side dish.  Leftover cooked rice can be used for cereal (add milk & sugar).
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 5/2/2012 8:46 AM EDT
Posts: 979
First: 8/8/2008
Last: 5/22/2013
sorry cant help my children all  grown up
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 5/2/2012 9:41 AM EDT
Posts: 871
First: 11/14/2008
Last: 5/21/2013
I like what used to be the "swapped" recipes - some really great ideas in there - just not sure where to find them anymore!! Cry
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 5/2/2012 12:26 PM EDT
Posts: 854
First: 1/20/2010
Last: 5/21/2013
There is a lot of good recipes in this site. I use my crockpot a lot and casseroles
are a good choice and goes a lot longer.
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 5/6/2012 3:14 PM EDT
Posts: 2906
First: 9/13/2011
Last: 5/21/2013
Hi STEPHANIE;
 GRANA  here;
How are things going w/ your search for hearty recipes for your family ( using pantry tems)?
with the many suggestions for ideas;I hopeyyou found a few to help you out.
 
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 5/31/2012 6:02 PM EDT
Posts: 4
First: 5/30/2012
Last: 6/25/2012
What about making a chili? I've made this one below before with everything I had at home and added in ground turkey because I just so happened to have that as well, also instead of black beans I used chick pease (I'd rather have a variety than all beans). I also make stir fry with noodles... just cook the noodles and then add chopped chicken, peas, carrots.. whatever I have in the fridge and mix it with sesame oil or any other dressing I can find.

Easy Chili

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, diced, seeds removed
3 (15 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
2 (15 oz.) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15 oz.) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups water
1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

xo Sarah
http://www.polaroidgirl.com/sugarspice
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 5/31/2012 7:27 PM EDT
Posts: 1468
First: 9/9/2008
Last: 5/21/2013
Hmmmmm, interesting that Stephanie hasn't posted anything since her original post on here.  Wonder she went?
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 6/6/2012 8:32 PM EDT
Posts: 2906
First: 9/13/2011
Last: 5/21/2013
GRANA  here;
 Hi H. M.
 Perhaps  Stephanie's  having problems logging in/on???
Hope ll is well w/  her & the  children???????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 6/6/2012 9:56 PM EDT
Posts: 871
First: 11/14/2008
Last: 5/21/2013
The chili recipe sounds great - going to try it this weekend!
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 6/7/2012 4:15 AM EDT
Posts: 939
First: 5/3/2009
Last: 10/4/2012
Hope she was not one of those I hear about on the news (post a story in hopes of some people offering to send money).



n Response to Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!:
Hmmmmm, interesting that Stephanie hasn't posted anything since her original post on here.  Wonder she went?
Posted by H. M
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 6/7/2012 11:52 AM EDT
Posts: 1638
First: 8/8/2008
Last: 5/22/2013
Everyone posted some great ideas
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 6/7/2012 4:37 PM EDT
Posts: 432
First: 2/2/2009
Last: 9/7/2012
Well, I hope Stephanie didn't get locked in the pantry!  I trust she will be back and that she is just busy.
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 6/7/2012 9:32 PM EDT
Posts: 1468
First: 9/9/2008
Last: 5/21/2013
In Response to Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!:
Well, I hope Stephanie didn't get locked in the pantry!  I trust she will be back and that she is just busy.
Posted by Barbara C


Too funny, Barbara. LOL  Well, if she comes back, I'm sure she will appreciate all the great recipes.
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Re: Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!

posted at 8/15/2012 9:13 AM EDT
Posts: 1089
First: 8/8/2008
Last: 4/18/2013
In Response to Single Mother Looking for Creative Ways to Make Due with What's in the Pantry!:
I want to be able to make hearty meals for my family but using the ingredients that's already in the pantry.  I'm just not sure how to be creative with some of the items in the pantry, such as beans, rice and all types of noodles.  Help!
Posted by Stephanie D


Welcome Stephanie,
Noodles, rice, and beans with just small amounts of meat can make a delicious meal. My Mom would make split pea soup, which I hated as a child, but she put cut up slices of hot dogs and in diving for the hot dogs we also got the other nutrition from the peas. Using left-over vegetables added to soup and also making soup from scratch with left-over bones from a previous meal that may still have some meat clinging to it, also makes a tasty soup and you can change the soup that is left-over by adding rice, noodles, or potatoes. With some bread this is a filling and nutritious meal. Eggs are also not as expensive as meat and will give make a good meal when combined with vegetables, cheese, etc in an omlet. Good luck.
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