Cooking at home is a stellar way to drop weight and save money at the same time. Consequently, there are a few basic recipes every frugal, healthy eater should have in her repertoire; recipes that are cheap, simple to make, and easily tailored to fit specific tastes. Recipes like (coincidentally): chili, salsa, frittatas, dip, soup, and all kinds of pasta, bean, and grain salads.
What follows, then, are master recipes for those eight dishes. We give you the ratios and cooking instructions, you provide the ingredients. What you should know about them:
- I made all of 'em up, based on experience. If there are problems with the directions, it’s totally my fault (and please let me know). If there are issues with the ingredients, er, remember: experimenting is fun!
- Try to match flavors you think will go well together, like tomato/basil, olives/feta, or lime/cilantro.
- Try to avoid flavors that might bomb together, like capers/cucumbers, parmesan/apple cider vinegar, or broccoli/olives.
- Cost and nutritional calculations will vary based on individual tastes, so add what’s best for you.
- This doesn’t include Amy Dacyczyn’s universal casserole recipe, because I’ve never attempted it myself. However, many zillions of other cooks swear by it, and the directions can be found in this Simple Dollar post.
Grain Salad
1 cup whole grain, uncooked
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or citrus juice
1 cup fresh vegetables, chopped small
2 or 3 scallions, thinly sliced
2 or 3 tablespoons fresh leafy herbs, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/8 to 1/4 cup chopped add-ons.
Cook grain as directed. Drain (if necessary) and spread on a pan or cutting board to cool. In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil and vinegar/citrus together. Add cooked grain, chopped veggies, and scallions. Stir to combine. Add herbs. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir again. Top with add-ons.
Grain suggestions: quinoa, barley, bulgur wheat, etc.
Fresh veggie suggestions: tomato, avocado, corn, etc.
Fresh herb suggestions: parsley, basil, cilantro, tarragon, etc.
Add-on suggestions: dried fruit, chopped nuts, crumbled cheese, etc.
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Frittata
6 large egg whites1 large egg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup any grated cheese
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1/2 to 3/4 cup veggies, chopped
1/2 to 3/4 cup diced onion
In a small bowl, whisk eggs and cheese together with a little salt and pepper. In an oven-safe medium pan, saute vegetables (except onion) in 1 teaspoon olive oil. When tender, remove from pan. Add remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil. Saute onions until a little soft and translucent. Spread onions out in pan. Add egg mixture. Let set, about 3 or 4 minutes, or until the sides start to firm up a bit. Sprinkle veggie mixture evenly over top. Broil 2 or 3 minutes until risen and slightly browned. Remove pan from oven and immediately remove frittata from pan. Serve.
Fresh veggie suggestions: mushrooms, spinach, asparagus, etc.
NOTE: if using pre-cooked veggies (roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, etc.), skip the sauté part and just arrange them on top of frittata before it hits the broiler
NOTE #2: you can sprinkle the cheese on top (after the vegetables) before placing the pan in the broiler if you wish.
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Turkey & Bean Chili
1 tablespoon olive oil1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground turkey
2 cans (14-oz) beans, drained and rinsed
1 or 2 cans (14-oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 tablespoon cumin
Cayenne pepper to taste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until a little soft and translucent, about 4 or 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Add turkey and saute until browned. Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste. Drop heat to medium low, and simmer until desired consistency, at least 30 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
Bean suggestions: black, pinto, kidney, white
Optional bulk items: corn, pumpkin puree, sautéed bell peppers
Optional flavorings: beer, 1 teaspoon cocoa powder, diced chipotle in adobo
Optional toppings: cilantro, low-fat sour cream, diced red onion, shredded cheese
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Bean Salad
2 cans (14.5-oz) beans, rinsed and drained1 cup mixed crunchy vegetables, chopped small
2 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 or 2 tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped
1/4 to 1/2 cup fun add-ons
In a medium bowl, whisk vinegar and olive oil together. Add beans, vegetables, and scallions. Stir well. Add herbs. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir again. Top with add-ons. Serve at room temperature or cold.
Bean suggestions: chickpeas, black beans, cannelini beans, etc.
Crunchy vegetable suggestions: corn, bell pepper, red onion, celery, cucumber, etc.
Vinegar suggestions: white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, etc.
Fresh herb suggestions: cilantro, parsley, rosemary, basil, etc.
Add-on suggestions: feta cheese, olives, etc.
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Pureed Vegetable Soup
1 tablespoon olive oil1 medium onion, chopped
1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
3 or 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 pounds root vegetables or winter squash, chopped into 1-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions. Saute 4 or 5 minutes, until soft and a little translucent. Add garlic. Saute until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Add stock and vegetables. Bring to a boil, turn heat to medium-low, and simmer until vegetables are tender. Once tender, puree soup with an immersion or regular blender until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste. If it’s a little too watery, let cook for another few minutes so liquid can reduce.
Root vegetable suggestions: potatoes, butternut squash, turnips, carrots, etc.
Optional seasonings: curry powder, brown sugar, nutmeg, etc.
Optional toppings: drizzle of olive oil, drizzle heavy cream, cilantro, etc.
NOTE: Alternately, you can roast the veggies in a 400°F oven until tender, add them to the boiling stock, and simmer for 20 minutes.
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Salsa
8-16 ounces tomatoes, chopped small6-8 ounces bulk veggie, legume, or both mixed together (optional)
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1/4 to 1/2 cup any onion, diced small
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 or 2 tablespoons lime juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl. Salt and pepper to taste.
Bulk veggie/legume suggestions: corn, bell peppers, tomatillos, avocados, black beans
Onion suggestions: shallots, yellow onion, red onion
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Bean Dip
1 can beans, drained and rinsed1 small clove garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons fat-free chicken broth, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine beans, garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon broth in a food processor. Puree, adding additional olive oil and chicken broth as needed, until you reach the consistency you like. Salt and pepper to taste.
Bean suggestions: chickpeas, cannellinis, pinto beans, etc.
Optional flavorings: lemon juice, cayenne pepper, tahini, cumin, curry, wilted spinach, roasted red peppers, cilantro, balsamic vinegar
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Mayo-less Pasta Salad
1 lb medium-sized pasta, uncooked3 or 4 cups assorted vegetables, chopped
1/4 olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar or citrus juice
1/4 to 1/3 cup parsley, cilantro, or basil, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup add-ons
Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk olive oil and vinegar/juice together. Add pasta and veggies. Stir to combine. Add herbs. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir again. Top with add-ons.
Pasta suggestions: penne, rotini, farfalle, wagon wheels, etc.
Veggie suggestions: bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, scallions, etc.
Vinegar suggestions: white wine, balsamic, red wine, etc.
Add-on suggestions: olives, crumbled cheese, pine nuts, capers, etc.
Optional seasonings: red pepper flakes
And that’s a wrap. What about you, sweet readers? Do you have any master recipes to share? We’d love to hear, and the comment section is open.
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