Cheap Eats

Life takes us all down unexpected paths and mine has currently put me in a state of "transition," as I like to call it....otherwise known as unemployment or job hunting.  So in between sending out resumes I've been on the hunt for cheap eats.  Not just any cheap eats (a la peanut butter and jelly or scrambled eggs...which I've eaten my fair share of recently) but homemade comfort food cheap eats.

With the cold, rainy weather predicted for the next week, I was inspired to make a couple of easy dishes that would last me a few days.  My mom is known for making yummy soups and stews on days like today and taking a page from her book, I fashioned together a little Mexican Tortilla soup from items I had in my cupboard.  

I started with one glove of garlic and one onion (picked up from Saturday's Farmer's Market) and let them saute in olive oil.   I then added about a tablespoon of cumin and a hefty dose of ground chipotle pepper that I had left over from a recent trip to Sante Fe, NM.  I might have gone a little overboard on the chipotle, as my eyes started to burn and nose began to run after I added it to the pot, but at this point, I need some extra spice in my life, so I'm ok with it.

This stuff is the real deal...trust me it will clear your sinuses.  Also what a bargain-my brother and I split a bag and this is what's left of my share.

After letting that saute for 2-3 minutes, I added one can of drained black beans, a 32oz can of crushed tomatoes and 32 oz of chicken stock and let it simmer for 15 minutes to let the flavors come together.  Easy peasy.  About 5 minutes before serving I like to add flour (or corn, depending on your preference) tortillas, cut wedges.  This helps thicken the soup a bit more and adds a different texture.  Top with sour cream, or guacamole or a squirt of lime juice and you're good to go!

Another yummy item my mom is known for, is her granola.  For as long as I can remember, we never bought granola in our house, it was made by hand in massive batches.  Making granola is a great way to save money, especially with the stuff at the grocery store costing upwards of $5 a box.  Now, my version of granola is pretty simple, as I didn't have all of the ingredients my mom likes to add, but really granola is one of those things that once you have the basic concept/ingredients, you can make it however you want.

To start, I added about three cups of old fashioned oats, and a tablespoon of cinnamon to a big bowl.  To that, I mixed in a teaspoon of vanilla, a 1/4 cup of maple syrup boiled by my brother at the North Country School in Lake Placid, NY, and 1/4 cup of canola oil.  Pour the oat mixture onto a non-stick baking sheet, and bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes.  I'd recommend checking it about half way through and quickly flipping/mixing the oats to make sure everything browns evenly.  Let cool and store in an air tight container.  Voila, breakfast for the next week!

Super yummy maple syrup! Love ya Nick! He also makes cheese, and knits..who is this guy!

My mom likes to add ground flax seed, shredded coconut, walnuts or almonds and raisins to her granola.  One note of caution, be careful with the nuts and fruit--add those towards the end of the baking time to ensure they don't burn.  As for sweeteners, you can really pick anything you like.  You could use brown sugar or honey or agave or any combo to meet your desired taste.

Also, if you want to cut down on the amount of oil, you can sub orange juice.  Sounds odd, but it works!

What are your recommendations for cheap eats (either homemade or dining out)?  

I just had to share this photo.  These flowering trees are my absolute favorite!  Just a little sunshine to brighten up this dreary day!