Hi Misty!
I have a few suggestions, and if I think of more; I will let you know.
A lot of legume/bean meals are a great option. We are vegetarian, and those meals are healthy, low fat, and inexpensive. Now, it may be an adjustment for your kids if they aren’t used to eating a lot of beans and legumes, but I will give you a few that are hits with our kids.
Refried Beans
Buy in bulk dried pinto beans and follow the directions on the bag for preparation; you can place in a bowl with water on the counter the night before and then cook the next day. You can also prepare ahead and freeze to have available anytime.
Fill a large saucepan with cooked pintos, find a capable strong arm(11 yr old son) and give him a masher. We use a pastry masher. Have him mash away in the pan until the beans are the texture you want. This takes awhile. Then heat the beans over the stove and add things like tomato sauce, cumin, garlic pwder, chili pwder, hot sauce, oregano, salt, and taste. Flavor your way until you like the taste. Simmer over the stove until heated through. Serve with tortillas or tortilla chips for nachos. We make a huge batch, and then eat from it off and on all week for leftovers.
Dahl
Cook rice according to amount needed. In another pot place lentils and water. 1-2 cups lentils dry to twice as much water. Heat over stove and when it comes to a boil, simmer lentils until done or tender (45 minutes). I add chicken bouilion to add flavor. While rice and lentils are cooking, saute in oil 1 cut up onion, 1 tsp of chili powder, 1/2 tsp of tumeric, 1/2 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. ginger pwder, and then add 2 cups of diced tomatoes.
Put saucepan of veggies and spices and cooked lentils into food processor and puree. Serve over rice. YUM. 1 cup of dry lentils gives 6 servings, 2 cups gives 12. I assumed the larger serving size in the spice measurements.
Beans on Board
Make a batch of mashed or boiled potatoes. In a saucepan, add oil and once it is heated; add 1 cut up onion. Saute til translucent, and the add 1 TBs of chili pwder. Add 4 cups of cooked beans to the saucepan. Add 4 Tbs of catsup, 1 tsp. of molasses, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of tomato juice, 1 tsp garlic pwder, 1 tsp of soy sauce and salt. Serve this over the mashed potatoes and if you want, place mashed potatoes and beans atop a slice of whole wheat bread.
If you buy the beans dry and cook ahead(like you need more to do), it will save you a ton of money and be healthier. Dave Ramsey always says to live on beans and rice when you ‘re trying to pay down debt; and it is true; it saves money.
I’ll send you more recipes late Misty.
