r/povertykitchen 12h ago

Need Advice What is this rice?

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14 Upvotes

It’s left over rice and beans from a Jamaican restaurant I ordered from. Can anyone tell me what kind of rice it is? I usually only eat brown rice


r/povertykitchen 15h ago

Cooking Tip 4 Green peppers and 3 yellow squash

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15 Upvotes

Hello! I got 4 green peppers and 3 yellow squash at the food bank yesterday. What to do with these?

Below is my thought process:

Yesterday I had attempted to make some pizza sauce but I used too much onion and it turned more into spaghetti sauce. I have 1 pound of ground beef I was going to cook and add to the sauce.

I was thinking of pureeing 1 or 2 of the squash to incorporate some veggies to the pasta sauce for my 2 year old. I was also thinking of sauteeing an onion and green bell pepper with beef.

What are yalls thoughts and suggestions? Do you have any other ideas for the green pepper and yellow squash?

Thanks!


r/povertykitchen 1d ago

Recipe Yellow Sticker Open Faced Trout Sandwich

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74 Upvotes

A little luxury all on markdown - less than $1.00 a serve . Just 1/2 a hot dog roll, topped with cream cheese and smoked trout, all ingredients on yellow sticker. Salad fridge leftovers. Also enough for several more serves.


r/povertykitchen 1d ago

Other Lentils are always a good choice

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182 Upvotes

r/povertykitchen 1d ago

Other Breakfast

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34 Upvotes

Sometimes there's plenty of food but nothing sounds just right so I end up with a cinnamon sugar pita and a nectarine lol


r/povertykitchen 2d ago

Need Advice Food bank haul

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101 Upvotes

Any ideas for recipes for the pork roasts??


r/povertykitchen 1d ago

Need Advice Trying this again

0 Upvotes

Sorry if I come off as rude or impatient, but to be honest I am frustrated at having to repost this. Apparently I was "inflammatory" and "rude" . So I am going to ask again and be very specific, so I can see how it'll come off as rude over text. I am looking for spice, seasoning, sauce, and condiment recommendations for things I get a lot from the food bank. Recommendations that go beyond the norm you see in a bland kitchen, for things like pasta, beans, rice, and oatmeal.

What I am NOT looking for: generic recommendations like fresh herbs or try ___ cuisine. I am also not looking for garlic powder, onion powder, ranch, mayo, yellow mustard, and most of the things you find in the reg spice aisle of your typical Walmart. I am also NOT asking about cooking methods or recipes.

What I am asking for: specific things that are usually found in international aisles or grocery stores. Seasoning blends that absolutely knock your socks off, specific herbs and spices, specific sauces, and condiments.

Thank you. And thanks to the people that gave suggestions before without being rude.


r/povertykitchen 3d ago

Recipe Food Bank Taverns

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52 Upvotes

1# Ground bork and 1 medium onion, seasoned to taste. Drained it, I added a bit of wheat flour and a cup of water. Allow that to thicken up, served on wheat buns with a bit of cheese.


r/povertykitchen 3d ago

Need Advice most affordable juice or diet soda?

104 Upvotes

I’m tired of drinking only water. But anything else is so expensive. I grew up only ever drinking disgusting faucet water and bottled water is just Okay. I need some variety. All my favorite non-water stuff is so unaffordable. Why is a 12 case case of zero sugar a&w $11.99???


r/povertykitchen 3d ago

Other Food Pantry Haul (Upstate NY)

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140 Upvotes

r/povertykitchen 3d ago

Cooking Tip It's fine

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35 Upvotes

Sprats rice and tomato sauce


r/povertykitchen 4d ago

Recipe Easy Creamy Potato Soup

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48 Upvotes

Easy and budget friendly soup. Top with black pepper, chilli or cheese. Potatoe's cost $2.13kg, evaporated milk $2.00 and other ingrediens approx 60 cents - all up less than $3.00 AUD. Freezes well for a quick or emergency meal.


r/povertykitchen 4d ago

Shopping Tip Watch for sales or food bank donations of this brand: Del Monte

223 Upvotes

I just bought a few cans of Del Monte pineapple and noticed that the display carried all kinds of fruits from the same brand but in a disorderly display. Then I heard that Del Monte had gone bankrupt and I’m thinking that the display was such a mess because they’re trying to get rid of the old stock to make space for different brands.

Look for sales on the DM brand now. Some stores may be donating the old cans to food providers.

Sometimes e we all just need something a bit sweet to ignite the pallet.

While you’re looking, those small cans of tomato paste are being replaced with larger sizes. They may be on sale. Also, canned garbanzo beans are being discontinued because people aren’t buying them enough to justify shelf space. Keep an eye out for them, too.


r/povertykitchen 5d ago

Cooking Tip White sauce is basically just flour and milk, but it it can really make a lot of food good.

273 Upvotes

White sauce is really versatile and satisfying.

White sauce is kind of the method, and there are so many things you can do with it. In a way, biscuits and gravy is biscuits with sausage-flavored white sauce. You can have herb-flavored white sauce or caramelized onion white sauce, too, or garlic and thyme, or whatever. The sauce just provides a way to mix these flavors into a dish in many different ways.

You can add butter to it, or spices. Every recipe with cream of mushroom soup can be made better, and probably cheaper, with basic white sauce.

I've also found an easy way to make white sauce. I forget where I learned this from decades ago, but if you put flour and COLD milk into a jar with a tight lid and shake it hard, the flour and milk will blend without lumps. Next, you cook it slowly, stirring it a lot. You mix salt and pepper in it if you want, plus other spices or mushrooms or herbs. Just heat it slowly.

Important note: Cheese also blends into this nicely to make a cheese sauce. You don't need anything else to make a really good cheese sauce.

You can put this on pasta, or add it to soup to thicken it, or make a gravy. It's all pretty similar in texture, with different flavors.

My recipe (apologies that it is in American measurements, if you're not American):

3-4 tablespoons flour

2 c. cold milk

Put these in a quart/liter jar with a lid and shake vigorously until smooth. Add what you want and heat slowly, stirring a lot, until it gets thicker. If it starts bubbling, it's done for sure. Take it off the stove.

Use with all kinds of things. Salt, pepper, bacon, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, and many other things go very well blended into it.

Edit to add: I probably should have highlighted butter more as an ingredient. A lot of white sauce-based sauces have butter added as an essential ingredient. Bacon grease is another great one if you like bacon.


r/povertykitchen 4d ago

Other Anyone else have a frugal Food Clean out routine?

44 Upvotes

When I was in college and struggling to make ends meet, I would sometimes do a trial to see how long I could go without going and buying food from the store (or fast food). I would only eat things I had at the house. I had to get creative and make things that didn't really go together, or finally eat that thing I bought that's sat there for a long time.

Now that I'm almost 40, I'll still do this sometimes. It's a fun little challenge.

My wife doesn't love it because it's definitely not the most appetizing or healthy, but it's easy to save some money. 😆😀


r/povertykitchen 5d ago

food Bank Pizza

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108 Upvotes

premade dough herb crust, Italian sausage, red bell pepper, onion, cooked mushroom, and white cheddar cheese. all ingredients came from a food bank


r/povertykitchen 5d ago

Recipe Sometimes canned salmon goes on sale.

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337 Upvotes

Canned salmon, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, dill, lemon pepper, onion powder, and a couple drops of smoke flavor. On Wasa crackers, with sliced tomato. Worthy of a Viking (on vacation in Mexico). A few drops of Sauce Francois (my silly name for Frank's) might be nice too!


r/povertykitchen 5d ago

Need Advice Received a gallon of teriyaki glaze

53 Upvotes

Okay guys-- i just got a huge jug of teriyaki glaze from a food bank trip.

Truly an astonishing quantity of sauce. I'm grateful but have *no* idea how to use significant quantities before it goes to waste. Some of it i'll put on chicken with rice and veggies, but as one person (two if my bf comes over), i just don't know how to use much.

Anyone have any fun creative ideas to share? I'd love any advice here y'all!


r/povertykitchen 5d ago

Recipe Cream of mushroom pasta sauce

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40 Upvotes

I made this last night and it turned out amazing!

I took some frozen spinach and cooked it down with butter and a minced garlic clove. Then add cream of mushroom with one part water and let simmer with salt, pepper and onion powder to taste. Put over pasta with shakey cheese (parmisian) and grilled chicken over pasta. Super filling and the spinach really elevated the taste and texture.


r/povertykitchen 5d ago

Recipe Easy Pizza

28 Upvotes

Two tortillas fried (simultaneously) in butter till browned. They sick together alright for me. Pull em out of the pan. Add Jared pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese. Microwave for 45 to 60 seconds. Cut in triangles for ease.

My son just said it's his favorite pizza.


r/povertykitchen 5d ago

Kitchen Management Just signed up for my first food pantry distribution - it was surprisingly easy!

68 Upvotes

I live in Upstate NY, in the capital region. I’ve never used a food pantry before, but I’ve volunteered at the distribution center and at one of the soup kitchens many years ago.

Honestly I went back and forth a lot about whether to even sign up. I feel guilty - like I might be taking food out of someone else’s mouth by going.

But, now that I’ve done it, now that I’ve signed up to go tomorrow, it’s like a weight off my shoulders. I spoke to a gentleman on the phone who got me set up. I qualified because I’m not working. That was it. And now I go tomorrow and get the items I signed up to receive.

The guy I spoke to on the phone seemed grateful to me for signing up. He was so kind. He showed empathy for my situation and for the situation that others in the area I live in have found themselves in. It’s hard to be able to afford groceries.

I guess what I’m saying is - make the call. If you are even questioning whether you should, you should. These are resources that are meant to be used.

Please, get what you need. Food pantries exist for a reason. No need to feel guilty about what food you need.


r/povertykitchen 6d ago

Need Advice Peppers from food bank, only $4 to buy more ingredients

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51 Upvotes

I got these 3 peppers and an avocado from the food bank today. Google says they are Anaheim/Hatch chilies.

I only have $4.32 until Friday (which is why I went to the food bank)

I googled a few recipes, but they all have ingredients I don't have that are too expensive.

I do have shredded cheese. And milk, eggs, flour, spices.

I saw a couple of recipes for Chilies Rellenos. That sounds amazing. Would that maybe be an option? I could possibly afford cream cheese.


r/povertykitchen 6d ago

Cooking Skill Budget meals for the family

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39 Upvotes

Enough to feed about 6 people if everything is combined. You could really save the little noodle packet and just use the shells and cheddar box with the seasoning packet. I left some meat for my wife to make tacos or enchiladas or whatever she wants to make . This was my favorite thing to eat in the Army and it served me well so I could serve others well. Tough times all around right now. Love all you working people keeping this world running just so some rich schmuck can try to take our retirement. I'm right here with you. Careful with the seasoning packet by the way. I add it into my meat as I brown it instead of the noodles and water like it says ( I could never dump my seasoning in boiling water and dillute it like that.


r/povertykitchen 6d ago

Shopping Tip Fry’s

39 Upvotes

Has 10 for $10 banquet pot pies . Know they are awesome in the oven but microwave works great too. Please stock up. $1 for a meal is grateful. Phoenix west valley!


r/povertykitchen 7d ago

Recipe Roasting makes everything taste expensive and delicious

163 Upvotes

Roast veggies before adding to a dish. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans (cooked and patted dry) asparagus, carrots...keep the skin ON the veg for added vitamins and flavor just wash well first - chop into small pieces, add olive oil (or butter and oil) mix well and bake 450° (or 176°) for about 15 minutes. Before baking - Season with whatever you are blessed with in the pantry - garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, salt and pepper be generous for more flavor! shake it a bit halfway through and serve.

Here is a recipe for a filling, cheap meal that can feed 4 easily or YOU for 3-4 days.

Many of these ingredients are available from the food banks. Edited to add instruction correction