stretch it out :: use it up

The dollars spent added up quicker than the days did this month...meaning there were more meals to be made when we'd spent most of our food budget. It's discouraging to be sure...but on a day where I felt more determined than defeated...I saw the bright side.

• The bright side is that I'm pretty resourceful, and I'm willing to bet that you are too!
• The bright side is also that our fridge's + cupboard's state of bareness was a great time to get in there + clean.  :)
• One more bright side is that getting to the bottom of things brings all the left over bits + bobs into the spotlight. 
• I can get a bit excited about using it all up + not wasting things that have been waiting to be used.

And so...making the most out of all those bright sides...the last four meals we ate were made with a laugh + what must have been a bit of magic. Oh, and they got compliments too! Ha! Here's what I've got to say about that:

• Make it a challenge! Might as well have some fun with it!
• Meal 1 :: Add cheese + call it a casserole. A can of beans, a few handfuls of frozen corn, 4 tortillas + a can of enchilada sauce layered with cheese. (A hit!)
• Meal 2 :: Call it (almost) risotto. Rice, two kinds of cheese (because there wasn't much of either left), peas, butter, salt + pepper flakes. Add a second course of the last carrots + the last of that chip dip. 
• Meal 3 :: I was asked if I needed anything at the grocery store...Oh, can you grab me a box of pasta? Pasta, lemon, parmesan, chives from the garden, half a can of chick peas, salt + pepper flakes. (Well, this is pretty close to one of our favorites...so...winner.) And also...a few kiwis. 
• Meal 4 :: Add cake (that egg is only a few days past the expiration date) + sun tea. All the last bits of beans + two kinds of salsa + corn + cheese + were mixed into rice + topped off with hot sauce. (I think the tea + cake saved the day on this one!)

A few good meals to consider when seeking to stave off the next trip to the grocery store:

• frittata :: when I've neglected to use most of the eggs + have a bit of veg to throw in too
• roasted vegetables topped with nuts + seeds :: can save some of those past-their-prime veggies
• cereal :: oatmeal, if ya wanna get fancy :)
  
• soup :: stone optional
• fried rice :: a couple of eggs = protein
• taco casserole :: I try to keep beans on hand + often have some left over tortillas...add some cheese + salsa = a favorite​
• salad :: the last of the veg (fruits too), bits of beans, nuts, seeds, cheese, a squeeze of citrus + a glug of olive oil...anything goes
• pizza or focaccia :: sauce + cheese optional

​
Love,
Jane