Extremely Frugal Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Ground beef	1 lb
Onions	1/2 C
Catsup	1 C
Sugar	3 Tbsp
Mustard	3 Tbsp
Vinegar	3 Tbsp
Worcestershire sauce	3 tsp
Water	1/2 C

Brown beef and onions in large frying pan.
Add catsup, sugar, mustard, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce and mix well.
Add water and simmer for 15 minutes.
Server hot on toasted buns.

Extremely Frugal Northern Chili

Chili
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Ground beef	1/2 lb
Pinto beans,cooked	2 C
Tomatoes	4 C
Chili powder	1/3 C
Cumin	1 tsp
Onions	1 C

Cook pintos in pressure cooker, using this recipe.
Saute onions and beef until onions are translucent. Add chili powder and cumin and cook for 2 minutes longer.
Stir in beans and tomatoes. Simmer for at least 25 minutes.

This is a great crock-pot recipe. Just dump everthing in and stir well. Simmer on low for at least 6 hours.
It also tastes better if refrigerated overnight and reheated the next day.

Simple Swedish Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Beef, ground	1 lb
Bread crumbs	1 C
Egg	1
Onions	1/4 C
Parsley	3 Tbsp
Salt	1 tsp
Paprika	1/4 tsp
Lemon juice	1 Tbsp
Nutmeg	1/4 tsp
Allspice	1/8 tsp
Drippings or butter	2 Tbsp
Broth	2 C
Flour	1/4 C

Shape meat into 1 inch balls. Brown in drippings.
Cover with broth and simmer about 15 minutes.
Remove meatballs.
Stir 2 teaspoons broth into the flour, making a smooth paste. Stir the paste back into the simmering broth, stirring up bits of browned meat from the bottom. Cook for 5 minutes until gravy thickens and flour is cooked.

For a more pronounced flavor, mix 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind into the meatball mixture.

Corned Beef

Corned beef requires long, slow cooking. It's a perfect Crockpot dish.

Corned Beef

Beef brisket	4 lbs
Mustard seeds	1 tsp
Caraway seeds	1 tsp
Peppercorns	1/2 tsp
Coriander	1/2 tsp

Crush mustard seeds, caraway, coriander and peppercorns*. Rub into both sides of beef brisket.
Pour 1 cup of water in bottom of crockpot, and add brisket.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours.
Slice thinly to serve.

*If your corned beef comes with a spice packet, use that instead.
*I use a small coffee grinder to crush whole seeds.

Televaros

An interesting combination of creamed corn with bay leaf

Televaro Casserole

Ground beef	1 lb	1/4 lb
Corn, cream style	1 1/2 C	1/2C
Green pepper	1/4 C	1 Tbsp
Onion	3/4 C	1/4C
Celery	1 C	1/4C
Worcestershire sauce	1 Tbsp	1 tsp
Bay leaf	1	1/4
Salt	1 tsp	1/4 tsp
Sugar	1 Tbsp	3/4 tsp
Noodles	12 oz	3 oz

Brown meat, add celery, onions, green pepper, salt and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes until tender. Add corn and Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and sugar.

Boil noodles until just tender.

Layer meat and noodles in casserole. (Optional: cover with breadcrumbs and dot with butter).
Bake at 375 F until browned, about 30 minutes.

Extremely Frugal Carolina BBQ Sauce

A sharp contrast to the usual tomato-based barbeque sauce

Cider Vinegar	1 1/2 C
Water	1 C
Butter	1 Tbsp
Dried red pepper flakes	1/4 tsp
Salt	1 tsp
Garlic	2 cloves

Heat vinegar, water and butter until butter melts. Add dried red pepper flakes, salt, and crushed garlic. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Use as marinade and basting sauce for pork, chicken, and beef.