When you cook meats you often find fat at the bottom of the ban. One practice that is unique to us but is not out of reach of anyone. If I go to my grocery store before noon they put all the products in a cart that is ready to expire. Heres the deal, most of us are struggling to feed our families. 82. PS. My mom told me her mother-in-law showed her how to make this dish, which became popular during the Depression, on their "get acquainted" visit in 1927. Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups sifted cake flour 1 1/4 tsps. I make lots of Frybread & salads to go with meals. Thanks for being prepared for the unexpected. This meal was a popular menu item at soup kitchens in the US and was named after President Hoover, the 31st American President who sat in office during the early years of the Depression. During the Great Depression, corn meal was one kitchen staple that was typically easily accessible and cost-effective. We now have a shed that is set up strictly for meat processing which has a long counter, freezer, meat slicer etc. From budget-friendly meat dishes to vegetable soups and stews, these dishes are comfort food that your family will enjoy. 1.5 Great Depression Foods - Prune Pudding. it tastes awesome with some spices (especially turmeric) and a little salt (sea salt, pink salt) and maybe a few veggies and chicken meat scraps, noodles or rice. Toast with mayo, sliced onion, pepper, and fried egg over medium. In a time with less access to cert. They do meatless recipes. We live in Idaho and many farmers will let you go through and pick the fields after theyve harvested. Named after the president that took office right before the crash, Hoover Stew was the name for the cheap slop eaten by residents of shanty towns. When the bag is full, veggies soup! in our area. Roll out and cut into similarly-sized shapes. 4 or 5 smoked ham hocks. Serve hot over bread, biscuits, or toast. Served at Franklin Delano Roosevelt's White House, this dessert is not overly sweet. We buy meat in bulk, so most of my purchases are for perishables only. Simple baked potatoes with butter and salt and pepper are filling and cheap. Cheap and healthy meals. We all except one sister, all ended up being diabetic. She called it Slavic dinner I am not sure if that is its proper name she got the recipe from a family friend (this also freezes for later meals if needed), Hi Pauline, I love your comment about the Slavic dinner! I bought the picture to put in my post so I do not have any information about it. Beet greens. I buy large cuts of pork from Cash N Carry for less than $1.50 a pound, take it home and grind it myself. Last night I made a lemon pound cake to have on hand from ingredients I had in the house. shape, BOIL. The Dime Meal Eating Cheap in the Great Depression. When butter is on sale, I buy a case of it, then make ghee and can it. We call it Eraser Gravy. Pinch of salt. As each item rings up shell tell the checker the adjusted price, the checker keys it in, no big deal, takes hardly any extra time in line. We also CAN our own garden that we grow! We cook things from scratch about 90% of the time, rather than using packaged stuff. She could get hot dogs and slice them up and add garlic, tomato sauce,and water and make the most awesome casserole ever. salt 1 cup sugar 2 eggs beaten until thick and light 1 Tbsp. You can add meat, or not. 13. 1/26/10 8:32 AM. broth, to add extra flavor to pasta, rice, or veggies. We like to add frozen peas (cooked) when ready to serve. Linda, Wendy, I love cheese so this will be added next time to my goulash for sure!! We have one butchered professionally for all the different cuts and I butcher one or 2 for sausage and make bacon myself. Im really hoping to teach the world to stop going to drive-throughs and fast food places and cook from scratch. With all the comparisons between the current Recession and the Great Depression of the 1930s, it makes sense that we research Great Depression recipes.. Jobs are shaky and income uncertain for many people right now, so making the most of our household grocery . Great Depression Meals #1. I buy most meats marked down. Now lets save some money! Bag of beans, rice, onions, tomatoes, sausage. It stays good for months. Talk about a stretch! 63. Our grandmothers knew how to stretch their food budget while feeding the family well. You can add oatmeal to hamburger meat, then cook it. We are our own meat processors. I keep a well-stocked pantry of dry and canned goods. Several on here we still like today. White Bean and Ham Soup was a staple in many households during the Great Depression because it allowed meat to be stretched far and leftovers to be used up. I never pay full price, I dont care if I stand there for 10 minutes with the line piling up, I am determined to find a coupon that works. From deer to rabbits and all manner of fish and fowl. We raised 2 huge gardens every year. Ketchup, Mayonnaise or Onion Sandwiches Learn to preserve what you grow. Prices are half and more off. Granddaughter learned to make them herself before she was 2. We have a 50 by 50-foot garden and plant what we can and then can it, the beginning costs may be high but you reuse most of it for years. My friend made it yesterday, Im making it for dinner tonight! 1 can of soup with leftovers served 4-5. That saves your own money. In 1937, when the United States was in the throes of the Great Depression, Kraft Foods launched the iconic Mac and Cheese. You can add meat, or not. A side salad and some saltines. We have started trying to go meatless a few days a week. 78. Carrots are the same. This collection of 20 depression-era recipes is a tasty idea that you can still use today. Great comment! Hope this helps! Ham Hocks & Beans - Not just a great Southern recipe but one that you can make on the cheap. I buy whole chickens and turkeys and cut them up myself, then freeze or can them. In Korean recipes, the meat is barbecued or fried or even parboiled and put in the mix with a daikon radish and an onion. Add some garlic and parmesan cheese and you have a delicious alfredo sauce. My parents were born prior to the First World War and came as immigrants for a better life. You can make a white sauce with water (to save on milk), once you have a white sauce you can add any seasonings to add flavor and then add something like chipped beef, chopped leftover bacon from breakfast, canned chicken, leftover roast or just the sauce over rice. We are making macaroni and . I enjoy reading all your posts and the great remarks everyone makes in the comments. Add in mash potatoes. Soup can always make a little meat go a long way. I cook some chicken. Image and recipe by 12 Tomatoes. Saving for us has more to do with how we shop than how we cook. It helps me to repurpose my leftovers into other meals. Onions and peanut butter were both cheap and easy to find, so mothers would hull the middle of an onion before stuffing it with peanut butter and baking it until soft. We ate our share of lettuce sandwiches with miracle whip. I use chicken leg quarters in foil packs with potatoes, carrots onions,and fresh green beans. Potato soup - water base, not milk - yes - dehydrated potato flakes and vegetables of any sort. Invite the family over. It is a complete meal and easy cleanup. Wash the rice and sprinkle it on top. Ive even made some of them into shelf stable mixes! 22. The Great Depression caused many hardships, but the cuisine that came from it proves how resilient people can truly be. We use to skin the animal outside, quarter it up and bring it inside to finish the process, grind, cut up or whatever we need to be done. 32. 9. I also do a lot of my shopping at Aldi or the Amish bents and broken store. 5-Ingredient No Peek Chicken. So how do we serve a good meal and save? It is labeled a dollar each. It stretches the meat, plus oatmeal is good for you! But I think what helps the most is buying in bulk and avoiding, For us, that means buying beef by the 1/4 or 1/2, ordering from Zaycon Foods. Mix to form a batter. 77. Also, I do one month worth of grocery shopping at a time. We fill up on salads and 2-3 vegetable sides.Did you know you can make your own cheese using dry powdered milk? 1 / 34. Here is a list of 10 depression-era meals we will be eating again if things don't change. We use turkey burger from Aldis instead of hamburger not much of a taste difference in our minds. Porridge for breakfast oats go a long way! Tastes ever so good as leftovers too. I make my own bread (usually making two loaves at a time freezing the 2nd). The idea is how to fill everyone up and save money on the most expensive part meat which we all need more veggies and less meat anyway. Miller. Ramen noodle packages are not considered food in my house. 17. Next serve a small portion of meat, not the large ones we have grown accustomed to. lemon juice 5 Tbsps. This can be made sweet with honey, sugar, maple syrup, or molasses, or savory with salt and pepper or beef broth. 20. Pinterest is AWESOME for helping with recipes! My sweeties standby recipe he calls goulash just elbow macaroni, seasoned hamburger, onion, and tomatoes. This is great if youre not buying from Zaycon Foods, of course! 1 large yellow onion, chopped. Hot Cocoa. Potatoes are cheap and easy to store, so it's no surprise they showed up on menu home meal plans during the Depression. Ive got a family of 5 ranging from a 17 down to 6 and two working adults. 62. I just retired, so there is only two of us, but minus my pay is a big deal. Dr. Battaglino says one of the best foods for mental health is fatty fish, like salmon, sardines, and tuna. I hope these ideas help you save money even if you are eating Great Depression Meals just like me. She saves a fortune this way! Shell tell the Walmart checker, thats priced $1.99 for a gallon of milk, etc. Get clearance on pumpkins or neighbors pumpkins and make bread from them then freeze it. I make huge batches and freeze the extra. apple cider vinegar. No cooking, just reheating! We raised hogs for meat. Soooo many great thoughts, ideas, recipes! I ALWAYS go first to the managers specials at the grocery store. Shape and fry up). I decided that as I get my Social Security check once a month, Id shop only once a month (excluding fresh veggies and fruit). Pasta is always our cheap go-to meal. Serve the finished product over toast. We stretch stretch stretch!! 81. Learn to love what you grow. A lot has changed on rural America's farms in the 70 years or so since the Great Depression. Lets face it those big servings of meat were never good for us anyway. Down in Louisiana, there is a Creole version of the dish. I keep a well-stocked pantry of dry and canned goods. Ive learned how to cook. Freeze for later use fry up when needed. Grow everything you possibly can each and every season. I am a senior and have had to slow down but a chair in the kitchen all most beats one on the porch. When we have leftover veggies of any kind, if it is not enough for another meal, I freeze them, then add to a bag of other frozen veggies. Doesnt have to be fancy and expensive. Make EVERY meal count. Put them on a baking sheet and add unpeeled garlic cloves. This makes a roux. This has to be one of the best articles ever written. We make it once a month in a huge stock pot. We lived off of home grown fruits and vegs with some meats from farming family. We now have a shed that is set up strictly for meat processing which has. For instance, I have to eat a particular brand of bread for a health problem I have. Everyone got a bowl of soup. Linda, I laughed when I read your list of things you ate growing up. During the Depression, cheap, nutritious and filling food was prioritized often at the expense of taste. Trust us, this easy chicken casserole recipe is so easy to make - just cook, layer, bake, and you're done! You'll even find bread, cakes, pies, and custards that are delightful additions to frugal cooking. Also, I do one month worth of grocery shopping at a time. My sweeties standby recipe he calls goulash just elbow macaroni, seasoned hamburger, onion, and tomatoes. Meatballs (ground meat, bread crumbs, egg, ground up veggies, leftover cheerios or other low sugar cereal I use 1 part meat, 1 part bread type stuff, 1 part vegetables. During the Great Depression, people used everything they had to make a cheap and filling meal, such as the Hoover Stew. We kids usually only got 2 meals per day, lunch and supper. I am working on a post to get 4 meals from a roasted chicken: dinner with potatoes, then make broth for soup, sandwiches or wraps for school lunches, and I usually have some leftover to do tacos, enchiladas, or chicken pasta. , This is great if youre not buying from Zaycon Foods. Twice a year we go to an Amish bulk supply store and buy the basics. The place I go to is American Discount Foods. Hi Stan, oh how I loved your comment!! Linda. One practice that is unique to us but is not out of reach of anyone. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. I take advantage of the Meijer, buy 10 get the 11th one free offers PASTA!!! We hope to get laying chickens this spring, hubby is building a coop fit for queens lol! Full of vitamin C, and easily filling, these were commonly used in the depression era, and could be easily stored in root cellars. A small potato or other starch and a generous veggie portion. Can top with cheese. Linda, a follow-up about Walmarts price matching: Their price matching policy is online and they are very specific about some things. I make my own spaghetti sauce with canned tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes and seasonings. I serve them like my mom did, with fried potatoes and cornbread. Some are wild others we raise ourselves or purchase from local farms or auctions. Our parents use to use their green stamp books to save. That time also showed me where I stocked well and where I lacked, plus what I didnt touch, even with no food budget. Keeping enough food on the table for a family of seven (including three teenagers!) 37. Jane Ziegelman and Andy Coe, authors of A Square Meal, discuss food trends of the time. Instead of ordering out for pizza I make my own pizza dough (making 2 doughs and freezing the 2nd for later), make my own pizza sauce and taco sauce. For us, that means buying beef by the 1/4 or 1/2, ordering from Zaycon Foods, using Bountiful Baskets-Co-op,grinding our own grains, and making yogurt when I remember to, and then remembering to freeze or eat leftovers so we arent throwing food away. We are all trying to feed our families on a shoestring. 14. Aldi is great for low prices on produce. 1 16 oz jar sauerkraut ( do not drain), 2 large shredded potatoes,1 shredded onion then she made a brown gravy to use in it it is thick good the first day better the second as the flavors blend you may have to add beef or pork broth to keep it from scorching or sticking to your pan or crock-pot ( I use 2 packets of brown gravy mix as I cannot make a decent gravy to save my soul just mix it as per instructions and pour into the pot) I always add the extra broth to mine. Sunday's special cookies and a cup of coffee for the adults were among the most popular weekend breakfasts. One week it was a dollar off. 0 seconds of 1 minute, 11 secondsVolume 0%. I used to have one of their old recipe books had a lot of recipes for a fake meat product, I think they use a lot of TVP now, it made for aninteresting read. Instructions: Add . Which THEN gets turned into Chicken Pot Pie w/ homemade pie crust! Hi Linda, I totally agree. Popcorn, Corn tortillas fried for corn chips. Chicken leg quarters are a good way to have meat at a reasonable price. Hi Frank, great comment! Here in the south, we have to deal with hurricanes which will result in a loss of electricity which means loss of all refrigerated and freezer foods. Melt the butter in a large pan, add the flour and quickly use a whisk to make a roux. II, (1986-93, p. 29), includes two cups of flour, one tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 . If you have a garden going salad is basically free- lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes. This could be served with a small roll or a half of slice of bread. "This is because they're rich in omega-3s . These Depression-era recipes are proof that food from the 1930s is worth revisiting. Save this grease for cooking later. I dont have to purchase that product again until it goes on sale. 73. My mom had to be inventive to feed all five of us. Dont you just love memories, this one? The total cost, for four servings, is $2.36. Hamburger gravy on toast or potatoes: Kami suggested . We used to beg my mom to make rice with milk, cinnamon & sugar. 3. What do you think? So tonight I made 2 round steaks for dinner. I was raised very poor with parents born in the 1920s. 1 lbs of dry pinto beans. Venison stew with garden frozen veggies. The one thing I will tell people who want to start growing their own garden is to start small and grow what your family likes to eat. It made sandwiches for my husbands lunch all week, then I made broth and turned that into noodle soup. I decided that as I get my Social Security check once a month, Id shop only once a month (excluding fresh veggies and fruit). They usually added whatever they had on hand: olive oil, hard-boiled eggs, cooked white beans, bacon bits, bacon grease, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper. I still fix this today as a special treat. Our local fruit and vegetable store has bagged produce for $1. May 5, 2022. Anytime were making something wit. In fact, I pretty much make all my bread and pastry items from scratch so I never have to go to the store. 12. I also use the big oven app, it has a search function that allows you to put in an ingredient then it will pull recipes with that item. Invite the family over. Shape and fry up). . Check out these 10 Cheap Recipes You Can Make Out of Leftover Produce. Im diabetic, so I cant fill up my meals with lots of rice or pasta. 7. For those who think the Spam is too expensive, Check your local Dollar store for Treat It should be right next to the Spam & I cant tell the difference. There are a lot of free things out there also to help. 10. 36. Keep stirring until the mixture is cooked and smooth. The best part I discovered is all I do is look at the menu in the morning to see what is on tap for dinner that night. Fry up a cheap meal of peppers and eggs to keep you full in stomach and pockets. 9. 25. You can make mac and cheese just by adding your favorite shredded cheese. Ive even made sausage by mixing ground rabbit and pork trimmings which I get from a local butcher for little to nothing price. That certainly doesnt go very far. Roll out and cut into similarly-sized shapes. I dont think those meals are great depression meals anymore. Another favorite is a piece of toast, fried egg on top and hot milk poured on top. Potatoes were a staple, and according to Clara Cannucciari, an elderly woman who runs the YouTube channel "Great Depression Cooking," one popular dish was called the Poor Man's Meal, which consisted of potatoes combined with hot dogs (also cheap) and onions, chopped and fried up. However, they had still had access to meats most of us would now consider offal. We also add beans or lentils to taco meat, eat lentil soup (lately with brown rice thrown in to make a complete protein), and rely on popcorn and bananas for snacks also lots of carrots! 72. 13.8K. I think anytime you go meatless you are going to save money and benefit your health! Lasts a long time and feeds many. I agree, no waste, just freeze it! Potato salad,I can get 10 lbs of potatoes for $2-3 at Aldi. A package of noodles that would probably equal about 15 to 20 ramen packages is $1.99 at a nearby store. However!!! I buy 1/2 cow and a 1/2 pig from a local farmer the freezer was worth the investment yes its expensive up front but does the math its cheaper the long run and its local fresh and so much cheaper than the store in the long run. Cooking with potatoes, pasta, grains,and beans. Then we eat all we can and can or freeze the rest. The turkey was on sale and they are cheap, to begin with, this time of year. Lets share ideas with each other. At times even spices were sometimes hard to come by during the Depression, most cooks usually kept some cinnamon on hand for baking. My mom had to be inventive to feed all five of us. When we lost our food budget for two months, I turned to boil a whole chicken and shred the meat to use in many meals. They didnt sell it in the stores and you had to ask for it. I also found a different bread recipe that used fewer ingredients so we could have bread. We also CAN our own garden that we grow! I raise a steer a year. Potatoes were a staple ingredient during the Depression because they were cheap, and you could grow them yourself. Canned fish loaf: 1 can of mackerel or whatever is cheap mixed into a packet of stuffing mix and baked like meatloaf. 1930s Einkorn Chocolate Cake. 75. I buy a sack of potatoes and stretch it to make meals, etc. Food Storage Matters-We Must Be Self-Reliant. I also make sure to add beans to taco meat to stretch it. Next week Ill bake cookies. I loved this article. 1.6 Great Depression Foods - Mulligan Stew. Cream of Potato Soup is a recipe from the Great Depression era that we all still enjoy very much today. These were featured in cookbooks and magazines of the time and promoted the use of cheap foods, often consisting of filling items like soups, noodles, and beans. Share this post. Full of fiber, this dessert serves as a filling end to a meager meal. A small meal during the 1930s, like the diners of the day often served, would have usually cost between 15 and 40 cents, depending on what you ordered and where the restaurant was located. "My large Italian family gathered in the kitchen and tried many ways to prepare Sunday dinner on a tight budget. Ox-tail soup during the Depression was a simple fare with basic components you simply chop up the tail of an ox or cow, leaving the bone attached. 2 cups of boiling water. The best ones went for dehydrating and the rest for apple sauce. Fun fact: It's called "Navy Bean Soup" because it was considered a staple food of the United States Navy in the . I can get 10 lbs of potatoes for $2-3 at Aldi. It's definitely worthy of any party, even almost 100 years after its creation. 1/2 cup of sugar. Peanut/almond butter and jelly on toasted Daves Killer Blue Seed Bread makes an awesome lunch! I still make a lot of beans because they are high in fiber and protein and depending on how you make them, low in fat. 1.4 Great Depression Foods - Mock Apple Pie. One thing I recommend, if it is affordable, is to buy a small freezer. I shop early and get a lot of 50% or 30% off items. Add a final layer of carrots. Navy Bean Soup. goes much faster if you have someone there to keep you company. I dehydrated my whole garlic crop in slices (other than the ones for replanting) and can use as is or grind up. When I find a good one I buy a case or two of that item. Also, you can use half ground chicken or turkey with hamburger meat in foods that call for somehamburger. I felt my health was the very best when I ate only vegetables. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Enjoyed your article. eccentricculinary.substack.com. All they can do is say, no. Plastic baggies can be washed and re-used instead of thrown out. . Also, if I dont see any marked down meat, I go to the meat counter and ask if they have any marked-down meat or yesterdays grind hamburger. Im the owner and editor of Food Storage Moms. One of my great-grandmothers absolutely loved pickled tongue. Fried egg sandwich. I did a little the other day. 26. Rice and potatoes were cheap ways to fill up hungry . I have also gone as far as making my own personal care products (shampoo, deodorant, lotion bars, soap), laundry soap, dishwasher soap, house cleaners (all natural). Then I have a nice hedge on inflation, plus I dont have to purchase that product again until it goes on sale. {Linda} I really want to thank every one of you for helping me with food saving tips available for the world to see how to save money on groceries! Sunday's special cookies and a cup of coffee for the adults were among the most popular weekend breakfasts. The other day I reused an 810 manilla envelope. Freeze for later use fry up when needed. Top ramen omelet. A74-year-old Army veteran told me that when he was growing up in the Carolinas they were dirt poor, so his mother in the morning would mix flour into the eggs to make enough to go around. They are todays meals. Wow! You are so right about a chair in the kitchen beats one on the porch! Carb heavy foods need to be balanced with proteins or greens and for some of us, they should be consumed less than the other foods. 6. This included all my paper goods, so it doesnt represent food only. Victor Moruzzi. Hi Geni, oh my gosh, I love your comment! Good Old-Fashioned Potato Pancakes from Blessed Beyond Crazy. Carrots are the same. This will take a little more time. I spent just about $300 for the month of February, which comes to $10.71 per day.