We're still cleaning out the pantry. Unfortunately, the freezer is pretty much empty, leaving us with bottom of the barrel healthy options for protein.

Previously, my lentil enchiladas were a hit - except for the baby.

Last night, I made lentil sloppy joes. I used bulgur instead of rice. Bulgur is easy to cook! Use 1 and a half times more water than grains, boil, let stand for 15 minutes. Just like rice, but with less water.

This is a great, fast dinner - perfect for days when you forgot to thaw the meat. Lentils are cheap and shelf stable. It's a great budget stretcher - a bag of lentils costs less than a dollar, and will make at least two meals for 9 people as a ground meat substitute. Bulgur cost 58 cents a pound (I think?) at EarthFare (bulk food section).

Cook one chopped onion until translucent. Add 1 can tomato sauce and 1 can tomato paste (ok, I used a 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes. Whatever works for you.) Add some garlic powder, then lentils and bulgur (I used half a pound of lentils, cooked, and 1/2 c. bulgur cooked in 3/4 c. water). Salt, pepper, etc. and serve it up on buns!

We also had carrot salad, as I have 10 pounds of carrots in the fridge and not much else. I just made up a recipe of shredded carrots, salt, balsamic vinegar, and one scoop of sour cream (use what you have!). The kids liked it!

Pantry cooking on the fly - works for me! For more Works for Me Wednesdays, check out Rocks in My Dryer.

Labels: cooking, Frugal, Works For Me Wednesday