Keeping the Hunger Monster at Bay

Today I thought I would share with you some ways that I kept the hunger monster at bay when my boys were younger and could eat a month's worth of groceries in a matter of days.

If you have growing children that can not be filled up the first item that you need to keep on hand is pasta and lots of it. Whether it is just plain elbow macaroni, or the “fancier” pasta like shells, bowties, or spiral macaroni or just plain macaroni and cheese. Pasta is filling and cheap. It is easy to turn a box of pasta into a filling meal or snack.

Lets start with macaroni and cheese...a box of macaroni and cheese, a can of tuna and a can of green peas make a filling snack or meal. I have served this as one of those Saturday afternoon meals when we are having a lazy day and I knew we are going to grill out or have a big meal later that evening.

Another way to serve mac& cheese is to bake bologna in the oven until it curls in to a bowl shape then fill it with mac & cheese and serve with fruit and raw vegetables My boys called it the eatable (their word for edible) bowl.

Wait don't throw out that last little bit of chili. Cook a box of mac & cheese and stir it in the chili and you have chili-mac.

Do you have a can of cream of mushroom soup and a box of pasta? Well you have the makings of a great snack. Cook a box of plain pasta (if you have frozen broccoli add a cup when the pasta is just about done.) When pasta is tender drain pasta and broccoli; stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup and serve. This makes a wonderful side dish for a regular meal also.

A quick and easy chicken noodle soup – a can of chicken broth, a can of water, cup of shredded cooked chicken and a box of cooked pasta. If you want a creamy soup add a can of cream of chicken soup. This recipe is a good one to build on. If you would like to add canned vegetables add them right along with the broth and chicken.

Make a pasta salad using powder ranch dressing and mayo. Peel and dice a carrot and two celery sticks add to large bowl. Thinly slice 4 rings of red onion cutting rings in half so that you have half circles. Break the onion apart and add to carrots and onions. Cook a box of pasta. While the pasta is cooking mix ¼ cup of mayo (or Miracle Whip) and a pack of ranch dressing powder set aside. When pasta is tender drain and add to bowl with vegetables stir in ranch dressing mix. I sometimes add shredded chicken or thin strips of beef to this, it makes a wonderful light lunch meal.

Oh how about those Ramen noodles can't forget those. Those are quite boring and really not that appealing but you can turn boring into a inexpensive meal with just a bag of stir fry vegetables Boil water as directed but do not add noodles just yet, instead add the pack of frozen vegetables cook 2 minutes then add noodles cook as directed. Have a little piece of meat left dice that up and throw in and you have a wonderful hot and filling meal for less than $2. Don't like the Ramen noodles or too high in sodium for you well then make your own. Use Angel Hair or Thin Spaghetti noodles. Bring water to boil add noodles and frozen vegetables cook until pasta is tender. Drain and add soy sauce or teriyaki sauce and enjoy. (HINT: you want your vegetables crunchy)

Remember pasta is a great way to stretch a little bit of something to feed a lot of folks. The only limit to pasta is your imagination.