I figured it would be a neat idea to go back to the Great Depression era for this one. I remember doing a bean dish years and years ago for another blog and for the life of me can't find a photo of it.
I thought this was a great idea because a lot of people assume vegetarian and vegan meals are expensive (which couldn't be farther from the truth if you do it right) but since I am trying to pump my bank account up again I thought I would use as much from my pantry/cupboard as possible without having to go to the grocery store! It was a success with this dish! I worked off of what I had on hand so it technically didn't cost me anything (new). This idea was very LOOSELY based on a number of posts I found online including an older lady by the name of Clara who (I'm told) released a Great Depression Recipe Cookbook.
She suggests cooking a potato, add salt and pepper, a can of peas, an onion, and combine...then add some tomato sauce and you're DONE. This in itself could be a vegan recipe, too!
But...For MY recipe this is what I did...1/4 C corn that was frozen and a small very sweet onion until soft in a frying pan or cast iron skillet. Then I took 2 Potato Patties I had in the freezer and added them to the cast iron skillet until light brown, cubed them up and added 1/4 C diced tomatoes and mixed well. I had some noodles on hand and threw this mixture on top of the noodles and there you have it! It's savory, sweet, juicy, full of flavor, oil free, vegan, and I only used items that I already had on hand. If you are wondering what you see that is GREEN on top in the photo...it's Cayenne flavored Kelp Sprinkle.
That looks really good! I swear sometimes the best meals I've cooked have come from just using what I have. Your smart and wrote down what you did, I never do, and it's hard to ever re-create! I'm interested in cayenne flavored kelp sprinkles!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I will try and blog about those Kelp/Cayenne Sprinkles soon! I have a few other items that people have been asking about. What I was thinking was to do that for the Kitchen Tour prompt because my kitchen is a MESS and I don't want to actually post about my kitchen set up! LOL
DeleteThis looks delicious and I love how cost effective it is!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was so simple and I was surprised at how much flavor it had!
DeleteMust be perfectly delicious!
ReplyDeleteThe layers of flavor were surprising as were the textures!
DeleteI love to think of all the generations of women in the past who worked so hard to provide nutritious and economical meals to their families. Looks good! Nice homage to the past generations.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've had fun looking at everyone elses posts too!
DeleteWhat a great idea for a post. It's interesting how when people had to be thrifty the food was often vegan. I went to a wartime tea dance a few years ago and had nice sandwiches which had a filling made from mashed baked beans!
ReplyDeleteThat was one of the perks when I went vegetarian. It's funny because everyone says how expensive it is I thought it was actually cheaper! I remember when I was a cashier and saw whole tenderloins go down the belt and they were $47 or more. OMG. Sure I think if we lean towards the store-bought vegan meat and cheese alternatives it can be more expensive because of the prices of those prepared products but when you work with whole foods I think if you do it in a certain way it can be much cheaper. I know - I know when you can buy a burger on a dollar menu it's a mute point but when you buy meat in the store that is more of what I am jabbering about, ya know?
DeleteThis looks awesome! Love the idea of using what you have on hand. I need to do another big pantry clean-out meal soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Most of what I do this month will be from my pantry...it's getting to be slim pickin's tho! LOL
DeleteMy girl would love this - maybe I can give it a try one of these days when she's home.
ReplyDeleteIf you do let me know how it goes!
DeleteThis looks delicious and fun, such a great idea. It can be so much fun to just use up what you have in the pantry!
ReplyDeleteWith my last blog - years ago which is no longer online - I used to participate in a weekly challenge of using what's in your pantry - it was FUN!
DeleteI love the idea of taking this back 80 years! This was my mom's era...so much to be learnt from home cooks back then.
ReplyDeleteYour rendition sounds very good indeed!
Cayenne-flavored kelp sprinkles sound awesome.
Thanks! I think I will be doing a product round up sometime soon! I have a lot of people asking about certain products and these kelp sprinkles are one of them I have been asked about more than once.
DeleteWonderful! Retro and thrifty too! I make a quick vegan pasta sauce when the kids are hungry in a similar way; peas or mung beans and corn from the freezer, a grated carrot, a can of tomatoes and some salt, paprika, black pepper and herbs. Never fails to please, and so quick and easy...thanks for sharing your idea😊
ReplyDeleteI love your idea, too! Sounds GREAT! Thank YOU for sharing!
DeleteWow, that's such a cool idea for a retro recipe! Very inexpensive seeing it was inspired by the Great Depression. It just goes to show you can eat healthy and tasty while following a vegan diet!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! I take a deep breath when non-veg people say how expensive the lifestyle is! This can prove it doesn't have to be :)
DeleteI love impromptu meals using just what you have on-hand! Did you make that cayenne kelp seasoning?
ReplyDeleteNope! I used a product I purchased. I have been having a lot of questions about it so I will most likely be doing a post about it soon!
DeleteYum, I love dishes that combine a little bit of everything!
ReplyDeleteLOL that is many or most of my recipes :) Thanks :)
DeleteWow... this looks sooooooo good! And perfect because I'm about to become a student with no money for food!
ReplyDeleteI'm pinching pennies at the moment too so stick around I will have some ideas for ya! LOL
DeleteI love this idea and that everything is stuff you already had on hand! win! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!!! It was posing pretty for the picture, too! LOL
DeleteThis looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit, the comment, and the feedback! I'll be doing my blog hopping rounds very soon and hope to see your posts, too!
DeleteLooks so good! Love the simple dish - I need to stop going to the grocery store so much ;p
ReplyDeleteThe potato patties sound especially good!
The package I got of those potato patties have a slew of them in there for CHEAP and I have been using them in everything mostly because it's what I have on hand! teehee
DeleteI too love the idea of only using items that I already have on hand. I do that quite frequently in my kitchen. I am delighted that you shared your healthy and delicious retro vegan recipe with us at the Plant-Based Potluck Party Link Up. I'm pinning and sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's getting to be slim-pickens' but I guess that's a mission that has been accomplished, eh!? I really NEED to go to the store!
DeleteWow, what a clever and frugal supper! I love cleaning out the fridge and cupboard to create a delicious meal! Thank you so much for sharing your Retro Recipe with us at the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I'm pinning and sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! This ended up being better than I thought it would! I think you can do just about anything with noodles!
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