Dinner on a Dime - OK a Dollar

'Tis the season. The short days, the short work weeks, the short cash, the short tempers. I've heard more than one discouraging word over the last week. Unlike Thanksgiving, when good food and good company is all we need, this holiday comes with many expectations. Expectations that require thinking and shopping and spending and wrapping and decorating. And we still have to eat.

The hungry gifters are coming, what will we have for dinner? Better what can I make ahead, to serve during these days that call for flexible scheduling?

There on the market shelf  is the answer. One pound of Pinto Beans for $1.69. $1.25 a pound when you buy 4 pounds. One pound of beans will make dinner for eight easily. Protein, iron, potassium and vitamin B1. Warm, filling, comfort food that satisfies your hunger for hours and lifts your spirits.

                                                                  

What else? Crackers? No. Toast? No. Chips? No.

Corn tortillas and salsa of course. 

36 corn tortillas for $2.39. If you are serving 8, everyone can have 4 tortillas, more than enough. We are at

$0.40 per serving so far. Make a little salad, pour a little cerveza and it's a meal for under $2.00 per serving.

There is dinner for eight in a pot. You can serve them like this as a soup, or use your slotted spoon and serve them on tortillas with salsa.

This pot was made by cooking 1 pound of pinto beans, 4 cloves of finely chopped garlic, 1/4 cup chopped onion and 2 bay leaves in 8 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then turn the heat down to a simmer, cover the pot and cook for about 2 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste. A pot of beans can be refrigerated for 5 days. When you are ready to serve, just bring the beans back to a boil.

I'm ready. It will be a hearty holiday with family.

I wish you a healthy happy holiday.