I had 2 go-to foods growing up. One was a Miracle Whip sandwich. It had to be Miracle Whip, not mayonnaise. I'd throw a slice of cheese on it every now and then. The other was beans and weenies. A can of pork & beans and a couple hot dogs mixed in. Nowadays, its peanut butter crackers or a bologna sandwich.

Fried bologna

 

Buttered toast with Parmesan cheese

A few weeks ago, Kroger had boxes of Rice-a-Roni on sale for $1.00 a box. I cooked that and ate a whole box by myself for dinner recently when no one was there to witness it.

Vienna sausages anyone? Or perhaps potted meat?

Vienna sausages anyone? Or perhaps potted meat?

 

Yep. Warm Spam and saltine crackers wasn't bad either.

Vienna sausages anyone? Or perhaps potted meat?

 

I forgot about potted meat. Spread it on some bread, or saltines, with a couple dill pickle slices and mustard. We always had cans of that in the pantry. However, I rarely eat it as an adult.

A pot of pinto beans and cornbread. I think that qualifies. Make that last almost a whole week. A little bit of onion to eat along with it really tops it off.

 

This was a staple when we would visit our family in eastern Kentucky. Seemed like everybody had a pot of pinto beans on the stove.

I do like some fried spam ...

I do like some fried spam ...

 

I mean, who doesn't?

I was always partial to vienna sausages more than potted meat. That gel looking stuff in the can with the sausages was a little weird, but it never stopped me from digging in.

When I was stuck in Cleveland for 5 months, back in 2003, I lived off Ramen noodles and canned vegetables.

 

When the pantry is empty, here, we hit the hurricane stash. That means we're going to consume a can of corn, green beans, or peas.

Choices I always have available:

 

Pasta with olive oil, onion garlic and parmesan chesee

 

Pasta with marinara

 

Roasted Brussels sprouts

 

Brown Rice with Black Beans, corn, diced tomatoes, onion, cumin, chili powder, shredded cheddar.

 

And I can make a roasted deli chicken last for over a week.

 

I'm kind of the queen of eating well on a poverty budget.

 

We get them at WalMart when they're marked down to $2.49. Generally get about 6 meals (3 apiece) from one of them. Chicken and noodles, chicken salad at the top of the list.

I was always partial to vienna sausages more than potted meat. That gel looking stuff in the can with the sausages was a little weird, but it never stopped me from digging in.

 

Potted meat is just plain nasty.

 

Wife likes what she still to this day calls "Vi-eeny Weenies".

Wheat Thins

Whipped Cream Cheese

Pepperoni

Ramen Noodles for the win, chicken flavored to be specific. When the noodle is cooked al dente and you add some italian seasonings and a little bit of spice (I'm on a Habanero black pepper kick lately) it is probably the best cheap meal you'll ever eat. Not to mention it can be prepared in 3 minutes.

 

I despise tomatoes in general but tomato soup and grilled cheese is a really good cheap meal as well and a little more filling than the ramen.