Broccoli-Veggie Soup

4-5 cups peeled, cubed potatoes $.25
2 cups peeled, cubed carrots free from garden
1-2 cups chopped celery $.10 (from dry storage - dried celery)
1 cup finely chopped onion $.33
2 tsp salt $.01
3 cups water
1/4 - 1/2 cup olive oil $1
1 1/2 - 2 cups flour $.25
3-4 cups milk $.40
6 tsp chicken bouillon $.25
1 Tbsp dry mustard $.10
1/2 tsp pepper $.01
1 lb Velveeta Lite Cheese (add in chunks to melt better) - STRETCHER SUBSTITUTE - I only use 1/2 pkg of Mac & Cheese when I make the Kraft kind for my kids and save the rest - I put in the other 1/2 pkg here and saved $5-8 on cheese!!! (and got the Mac & cheese for 33 cents- so tops - this cost about $.10)
10 oz pkg Broccoli or 2 1/2 cups from GARDEN!

Simmer ingredients from vegetables to water together until veggies are tender.

In a smaller pan, make a white sauce by blending oil & flour together, add milk and heat to boiling, then add bouillion, mustard, pepper & cheese. Once smooth, add to veggies. Add broccoli and cook 5 more minutes. Serve with bread & salad.

TOTAL COST: $2.80 (and makes 2 meals) = so for 1 meal = $1.40

Zucchini Boats

Anything that is called a "boat" can disguise the taste to a 3-year-old - so mine loved this meal and got the other kids excited about EATING THEIR BOAT! :) Love it.

2-3 medium-sized zucchini (home-grown = free)

2 tomatoes (home-grown = free)

6 eggs ($.50)

1/4- 1/2 cup milk ($.10)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Cheese for top ($.30)

Cut off ends of zucchini, then slice in half lengthwise. Clean out the inside of the zucchini (but keep enough so the "boat" doesn't fall apart), keep the insides in a separate bowl. Cut zucchini's into about 4-6 inch sections, then place face down in a greased fry pan and fill with 1/4 inch water and cook to soften while preparing inside of "boat" about 5-10 minutes - careful not to burn.

Dice the zucchini innards. Dice the tomatoes. Remove the boats from heat and cook the zucchini & tomatoes. Cook about 5 minutes. Beat eggs and milk together, then add to the zucchini mixture. Add salt and pepper. Cook until eggs are scrambled. Then scoop into boats. Top with a slice of cheese and warm boats in pan again until cheese is melted. Then serve and enjoy.

Serves: Depends on # of zucchini and how big they are.

Total Cost = $0.90