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

Cream of Anything Soup

BIG STRETCHER!

To make a mix

2 cups powdered milk ($.75)
1 cup cornstarch ($.50)
3 Tbsp chicken boullion ($1)
2 Tbsp onion flakes ($.10) - then grind if desired
1 Tbsp celery seed ($.10) (or 1/4 tsp ground)

Store in an airtight container. (I just stick it all in a Gallon Ziploc Bag and mix with it zipped).

TOTAL COST: $2.45 for 9+ servings below or <$.27 per "can" - beat that!

To use mix:

1/3 cup mix
1 1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp Margarine (I ALWAYS use Olive Oil)

Stir and cook until it comes to a boil, about 3 minutes (I've never had it boil in 3 minutes, closer to 10, but I always triple it at least).

Can be used for any recipe calling for a can of cream soup. May add chicken, broccoli, cheese, mushrooms, celery, or ANYTHING!

Apple Crumb Bars

2 cups Oats ($.40)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour ($.15)
1 cup packed brown sugar ($.20)
1/2 cup applesauce (free)
1/4 cup butter, melted ($.25)
1 tsp ground cinnamon ($.01)
1/2 tsp baking soda ($.01)
1/2 tsp salt, optional ($.01)
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg ($.01)
1 cup applesauce (free, but up to $1)
1/2 cup chopped nuts ($.50)

Prehead over to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, combine all ingredients except 1 cup applesauce (the 1/2 cup applesauce is a substitue for part of the butter and works fine and needs to be added now) and nuts; mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup oats mixture. Press remaining ingredients into bottom of greased 13x9 metal baking pan (I used glass and was fine). Bake 13-15 minutes; cool. Spread applesauce over partially baked crust. Sprinkle reserved 1 cup oats mixture over top; sprinkle with nuts. Bake 13-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack; cut into 2-inch squares.

Makes about 2 dozen bars.

TOTAL COST: $1.54 - $2.54

*I like these chilled/frozen because they are a little soggy with the applesauce at room temperature.

DID YOU SEE THE STRETCHER??? I use applesauce all the time in place of part or all of oil or butter. It is cheap because I can usually get apples for free and can the applesauce myself and it lowers the fat content by far and adds a yummy taste. Any questions?