budgeteating

Here are a few healthy foods that are almost always under a dollar a pound.

• Potatoes
• Brown rice
• Pasta
• Oatmeal
• Barley
• Beans
• Lentils
• Onions 
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Celery
• Apples (on sale)
• Bananas
• Sometimes, chicken legs or thighs

How am I going to make a meal out of that? Here’s an easy and healthy recipe for chicken soup that will feed a large crew for just a  few dollars.

Chicken Brown Rice Soup

1. Early in the day, place one pound of chicken (bone-in), plus a few handfuls of chopped onions, garlic, celery, and/or carrots in a pot. Cover with water and simmer. I recommend a crockpot for this.

2. Three to four hours later, strain the soup through a colander or strainer into a large pot. Reserve the broth. Pick out the chicken meat and add to the pot of broth. Allow to cool.

3. As it cools, the fat in the soup will rise to the surface and solidify. R emove the fat with a spoon and return the pot to the stove. Warm on medium heat.

4. Add another handful or two of chopped veggies, plus a handful or two of brown rice. Simmer until the rice is cooked, about 30 minutes.

This feeds my large family for less than a dollar a serving, and it has all the elements of a healthy meal: lean protein, veggies, and whole grains. Take that, dollar menu!

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