Are we calling it a depression yet?

Many times, what makes a dish frugal is our willingness to make it from scratch.  Willingness to make it from scratch is often married to how easy it is to accomplish.

Here are a couple of really simple family favorites.

Carrot salad is a very frugal side dish and carrots are usually fairly cheap in the Autumn.

Carrot Salad

• 6 – 8 nice big carrots
• 1 cup mayo or Miracle Whip
• 1 – 2 tablespoons milk

Peel and grate your carrots, stir in the white stuff of your choice.  The rest is optional, don’t let the absence of any of these items prevent you from making this dish.  It’s yummy with extras, but not dependent on them.

• ½ cup – 1 cup raisins
• 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained
• ¼ cup (or so) chopped walnuts
• 1 apple, diced
  

Just mix it all together and cover it and set it in the fridge for an hour or so before supper.  You could eat it right away, but the extra time lets the carrots soften a bit.

This next one is a recipe my granny used to make for me.  It’s my favorite of hers.

Sweet Rice

• 2 cups medium grain white rice
• 4 cups water
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• cinnamon and sugar
  

Prepare the rice according to the package instructions.  Once the rice is done stir in the milk and sugar and continue cooking for about 15 minutes, until most of the milk is absorbed, but not all.  Pour into a serving bowl and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.  You really need to let this sit for at least ½ an hour, otherwise it’s like eating lava.  (ask me how I know)  It’s also very good cold.

I tell my Pirates that this is what they serve in Heaven.  Yup, it’s that good!  They know I’m kidding.  Don’t they?  Maybe I should explain “tongue in cheek” to my sheltered homeschool Pirates.

Now you know I love ya, ‘cuz I’ve just given away my most valuable family recipe!

Please go visit Rocks in My Dryer for Works for Me Wednesday to learn a jillion other handy-dandy helpful ideas.

But first you should go enter my GIVEAWAY!

Related posts:

1. Frugal Cornbread
2. Granola Bars
3. Potatoes and Ham – YUMMY!
4. Apple-Crumb Cobbler
5. Three Reasons and Three Recipes to make Homemade Salad Dressings