Cheap Meals

I am trying my hardest to cut down on the grocery bills. We now do the majority of our grocery shopping at Your Dekalb Farmers' Market, which is so much cheaper than Publix or even Kroger. For example, I bought 1lb of Georgia peaches last week for $0.69. Later that week, while grabbing a few items from Publix, I observed that they were selling Georgia peaches for $0.99 a pound. Another advantage to YDFM is that you can get a lot of organic produce and products for a much cheaper price. In addition to shopping there, I am trying to prepare meals that will last us more than one dayas well as not cost too much. My current favorite is my black beans and rice casserole. It is hearty, healthy and super easy to make.


Black Beans & Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

2 links chicken chorizo, casing removed (any kind of chorizo will do)

2 Tablespoons of oil (whatever kind you have)
1/2 onion, diced

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 can black beans (I use Goya, but any brand will do)
3/4 cup water

1 can diced tomatoes with green chillies (like Rotel)

2 teaspoon chilli powder

2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 package instant brown rice (I like the frozen Bird's Eye Steamers rice you make in the microwave)

2 cups grated pepper jack cheese

2 chopped scallions (optional)

Sliced black olives (optional)

Cilantro (optional)

Salsa (optional)

Sour Cream (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees

2. Heat oil in a 3 qt saucepan on medium

3. When oil is hot, add chorizo and break up with spatula. Cook until browned. Remove chorizo and set aside, leave drippings in in the saucepan.

4. Add onions and garlic and saute in oil and drippings until soft.

5. Add can of black beans and 3/4 cup water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Let liquids reduce to about 1/2.

6. Add chilli powder, cumin and 1 can diced tomatoes with chillies. Contiune to simmer on stovetop.

7. Prepare brown rice and then stir into bean mixture. Turn off heat.

8. Add 1 cup grated cheese and stir to combine.

9. Add 1/2 chopped scallions and olives (optional)

10. Pour mixture into a greased 3 qt baking dish and top with remaining cup of cheese, scallions and olives.

11. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let stand 5 min before serving. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, fresh chopped cilantro, salsa and tortilla chips.