Great home cooked American food for a dollar per serving

The ongoing recession affects most households where it really counts -- right in the pocket. Unemployment, falling wages and rising food prices have caused over ten percent of all American households to claim government food assistance benefits.

In fact, research has shown that it is hard for one in six Americans to put enough food on the family table each day. However, regardless of your financial situation, the chances are high you are looking for ways to cut costs in these uncertain times.

Fortunately, there are many cost-effective and delicious meals that families on a budget can enjoy for less than $1 per serving. And to start you off there are twenty-one new delicious, healthy options included in the first of a new series of easy recipes simply called;

Dollar Dinners

Examples;

Beef & Broccoli Curry

Cost $4 - Feeds Four

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds beef steak

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

three tablespoons vegetable oil

1 large onion, chopped chunky

1 1/2 teaspoons hot (madras) curry powder

Fresh chili to taste

Garlic

1 (14 oz.) can beef broth or one cube

1 (10 oz.) broccoli florets, thawed

1 Potato

1 can of chopped tomatoes

Rice

Prepare

Chop beef into 1 inch cubes and place into a large bowl; add 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp pepper on top. Add flour and stir to coat beef. (Flour also thickens the sauce later)

In a large nonstick pan, heat half of oil over medium-high heat. Add half of the beef and cook, turning once or twice, until golden on both sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer beef to a plate and repeat using remaining oil and beef cubes.

Add onion, curry powder and remaining salt and pepper to pan and cook, stirring until onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add broth or cube (with three mg of water) and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer until sauce is reduced by half, three to four minutes. Return beef to pan and boil, stirring, for two minutes. Add broccoli and potato, both chopped into one-inch cubes, sliced garlic and cook, stirring, for four to five minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer beef, broccoli and potato and spoon over rice.Delicious

Black Bean Burgers

Cost $3 - Feeds Four

Ingredients

2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

1 onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 15-oz. cans of black beans, (or kidney beans) rinsed and drained

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon cumin

1/2 cup plain bread crumbs

Salt and pepper

Any other spices you like the taste of.

Prepare

Preheat oven to three75°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil. Grease lightly.

Warm oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add celery & onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, three-five minutes. Add garlic and cook for one more minute.

Meanwhile, pour beans into a large bowl and mash into a thick paste. Remove vegetables from non-stick pan and place into bowl. Stir in egg, cumin and bread crumbs. Season with salt and pepper. Use fingers to create eight patties. Place patties on baking sheet and cook until firm, about ten minutes on each side.

Serve on whole-grain buns with lettuce, tomato and sliced red onion, or any salad of choice.

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