Frugal vegetarian

by Cleo Opera
(Woodland, CA USA)

I have been a vegetarian for many, many years.

I do not buy much packaged or canned foods. The canned foods I buy consist of tomatoes, a certain brand of re-fried beans, jalapenos and occasional special products such as pineapple that was called for in one recipe.

Almost everything else I purchase and eat I buy in bulk--rice, beans, flour, raisins, oatmeal.

It may difficult for many to buy staples in bulk. Most supermarkets either do not carry bulk items or carry only a limited variety.

But one can buy large bags of beans, rice and flour at most supermarkets. These are not necessarily more expensive than buying from bulk bins. It is important to store these items in secure containers. Don't leave them sitting around in their bags.

I am also a dedicated sale shopper, stocking up on items that are on sale and if there is a coupon also, so much the better!

I have a small slow cooker which is ideal for preparing beans. A family will need one of the larger ones. I will cook a large amount and freeze what I don't intend to use immediately.

At the same time I will cook a large pot of rice. With the beans and rice as basics, I have the ingredients for several meals.

One of my most recent favorites has been a variety of what was once called 'Spanish Rice.' This is a good dish for the early autumn because bell peppers are still available at a reasonable price.

I saute chopped onion and pepper and minced garlic in a little oil, adding a little ground cumin. Next add the rice, and beans if you like, and canned tomatoes or tomato sauce. Serve topped with a little grated cheese--you don't need much--and chopped cilantro.

It is also important to buy vegetables in season. For example, if I wanted to make the Spanish Rice in March or April, peppers are selling for $3 to $4 dollars a pound which makes them too expensive for me to buy. So, no Spanish Rice.

Spring is a good time to start making salads as there are a lot of lettuces available. You can make a wonderful salad adding green onions, cabbage and carrots, which are also in season, to the lettuce.

Buying seasonally is best with fruit as well. In the winter stick with oranges, grapefruit and apples. The summer to early autumn is best time for fruit for me. Apricots, peaches, plums are in abundance.

I love scones but not the kind sold in coffee shops and bakeries. I make my own--it takes only a little flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, 1 egg and a little milk. I also throw in a little dried currants. And it takes only 30 minutes to make a batch of 6 to 9 scones. And you know exactly what they are made of.

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