Feed A Family Of 4 On $25 A Day

With a little planning, a well-stocked pantry, and some time, you can feed your family for very little money.

Most importantly, you need to be creative and organized at the same time. Plan your menus around what’s in season and on sale. Use online coupons from supermarkets, or clip them-if you can find a newspaper anymore! Never waste leftovers. Treat meat as a condiment, not as the main event. And cook up recipes in larger batches to freeze for later.

Here’s a meal plan for Monday:

Oatmeal is the greatest economical breakfast, and now it’s gone upscale with chains like Starbucks serving it. You could just do it plain, but adding walnuts, apples, and juice makes it a warm alternative to granola. Invest in one box of oats, and you’ll have breakfast for three days.

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For lunch, tuna sandwiches get dull fast. Stretch the same cheap can in a salad with spring potatoes-a combination that’s heartier and has a more sprightly seasonal aspect.

For dinner, go for meatless Mexican. Cheese enchiladas are teamed with spicy beans and rice for a complete and balanced meal; the green sauce gives the plate the look of spring.

Breakfast:

Old-Fashioned Oatmeal with Apples, Raisins and Honey-Toasted Walnuts

* 1/4 cup walnuts – $0.68
* 1 tablespoon honey – you have
* 2 cups old-fashioned oats – $1.99 for box to use throughout week
* 1 teaspoon salt – you have
* 1 cup unsweetened apple juice – $0.50
* 1 cup apple – $0.60
* 1/4 cup golden brown sugar – you have
* 1/4 cup raisins – $1.45
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon – you have
* 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt (store brand) – $0.45
Total: $5.67 (that’s $1.42/person)

Lunch:

Spring Potato Salad with Tuna

* 2 pounds medium-size red-skinned potatoes – $1.98
* 6 tablespoons canned white meat tuna – $1.49
* 2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons white wine vinegar – you have
* 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil – you have
* 3 eggs – $0.24
* 1/3 cup onion – $0.32
* 2 tablespoons fresh parsley – you have from Sunday’s soup
Total: $4.03 (that’s $1.01/person)

Dinner:

Cheese Enchiladas with Green Sauce

* 1/2 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach – $1.29
* 1 tablespoon butter – you have for Saturday’s breakfast
* 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour – you have
* 1 cup whipping cream – $1.49
* 1 cup milk – you have for Saturday’s dessert
* 7 tablespoons fresh cilantro – $1.99
* 3 green onions – you have from Sunday’s salad
* 1/2 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies – $1.29
* 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cumin – you have
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander – you have or omit
* 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper – you have
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil – you have
* 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas – $0.99
* 3 cups grated mild Cheddar cheese – $2.19

* 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese – $1.10

* 1/2 cup onion – $0.32

* 1/2 cup sour cream – $1.29

Tommy’s Rice and Beans

* 1 tablespoon oil – you have
* 1 onion – $0.32
* 1 tablespoon garlic – you have
* 1 red bell pepper – $0.87
* 1 (16-ounce) can black beans or 2 cups cooked black beans (store brand) – $0.65
* 1/4 cup white vinegar – you have
* 10 dashes Tabasco sauce or other hot red pepper sauce – you have
* 1/4 cup cilantro – you have from today’s enchiladas
* 3 cups cooked long-grain rice – $0.50
* Salt – you have
* Black pepper – you have

Total: $14.29 (that’s $3.57/person)

(From epicurious.com)

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