Turkey Tacos Stretched 4 College Cooking

It is tremendously sobering to realize what it means to be living below the poverty level and trying to make ends meet on a minimum wage income! Dollars that are supposed to supplement families' or couples' struggling in this area are allotted $28 dollars per week per person towards groceries--that is, if you qualify, i.e. $1500.00 combined Gross (not Net) income of 2 people AND you may not own any assets AND you must rent an apartment, house or room!!

Just think about this! What if you don't work? That's it! That is your grocery budget!

How would you survive on $28 per person each week? Very challenging! 

In an attempt to raise my own awareness on some of these poverty and hunger situations in the US, I attended a conference focused on 'Cooking On A Very Tight Budget', which basically addresses how to create nutritious, healthy, satisfying, and cheap meals to fit that very budget of $28 per person per week.

The recipe below highlights one such recipe that stretches your protein/meat (the most expensive ingredient in a grocery budget) without sacrificing value or nutrition. It is intended as a taco meat option, but can also be used as a turkey chili or filling for a burrito! I simplified the process by simply adding store-bought Taco Seasoning in case you don't have the spices! 

You should have enough food for several meals, or to share, or to save in the freezer! Easily!

(Adapted from Healthy Lives Healthy Kitchens Conference & Share Our Strength / Cooking Matters)

Turkey Tacos

Cost: $12.50 Total

8 Servings @ $1.59 / serving

Equipment:

Large non-stick skillet

Can opener

Sieve 

Grater

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey

1 carrot, grated

1 small sweet potato, grated

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (or kidney, pinto, white beans)

1 can diced tomatoes with juice

1 packet Taco Seasoning

Salt & Pepper to taste

Add-ons:

16 Taco Shells or Tortillas

8 oz Cheddar Cheese, grated

1/2 ice berg lettuce, chopped

Tomato, diced 

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Prep all of your ingredients: 

• Grate carrot and sweet potato
• Drain and rinse black beans
• Have canned tomatoes ready with juices
• Grate cheddar
• Shred lettuce and dice fresh tomato
• Small jalapeño, grated

3. In a large skillet, heat 1-2 tsp of olive oil and brown turkey meat.

4. Add grated carrot and sweet potato.

5. Add beans and canned tomatoes.

6. Add seasoning packet and 1/2 cup water.

7. Adjust salt & pepper.

8. Simmer until thickens x 10-15 minutes.

9. Heat your tacos or tortillas, or make a salad.

10. Set the table and assemble with cheddar, lettuce, and tomato in a taco or tortilla!

A Dollar In My Wallet: Orange Oatmeal Pancakes

Living as a college student who may not be paying room and board, but living off-campus to reduce costs, can be challenging unless you are independently wealthy without loans or other financial concerns. In some ways, you are experiencing what it feels like to live at low-income or on a very tight budget--food may even be sparse or you can't pay the utility bill.

Being creative and smart during this independent living is critical for some. Planning. Learning new skills, like cooking for yourself, can literally be a life saver! I attended a conference workshop lead by www.cookingmatters.org and No Kid Hungry focusing on teaching clients--in this case families living under the poverty line, i.e.  on a "very tight budget"--how to spend and use their grocery dollars to the maximum benefit while maintaining healthy, nutritious eating. Sounds like something college student living could learn from as well!

With some basic skills in cooking, the meals and recipes come to $1.86 / serving (this is the maximum cost of the recipes). What a great approach to ending hunger in the USA and treating poverty from the foundation on up--it makes all of us aware of how we can contribute, improve our spending, reduce our waste! 

Aside from learning how some of these recipes and basic skills can help you financially live better…think about getting involved in this organization as a college student for your community service; or, volunteering if you know how to cook; or, teach someone how to read or how to use fractions--all needed to read and understand a recipe!! 

Get involved! Make a difference! 

Here's an example of solving poverty and hunger one great recipe at a time below. I did not have whole wheat flour so I simply used all white flour. I had some left-over jam which I thinned with 1-2 tsp water (or juice) and heated up as my "syrup".

Very tasty! Simple! Filling! Cheap! 

Check out their phone app and website for great ideas on better cooking / eating!!

Orange Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Equipment: 

Mixing bowls

Non-stick skillet

Non-stick spray

Ingredients:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour (use white flour if you don't have it)

1/2 cup quick oats

1 Tbls baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg, slightly beaten

3/4 cup orange juice

1/3-1/2 cup low-fat milk (or regular)

2 Tbls vegetable / canola oil

Optionals / Add-Ins:

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup blueberries or other fruit

Toppings:

Maple syrup

Fruit-Berry Compote

Thinned jam, heated up

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.

3. Combine egg, juice, milk, oil in another mixing bowl.

4. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just combined--should be slightly runny batter.

Add 1-2 tsp milk if too thick.

5. Add your 'add-ins' if you have any, i.e. chocolate chips or fruits

6. Heat your skillet and spray with non-stick spray.

7. Add 1/4 cup of batter to the skillet. Make sure pancakes have enough room.

8. When small bubbles form on edges, use spatula to check bottom for golden brown and turn over until the other side is golden brown.

9. Heat your toppings (or eat them with fresh cut-up fruit)

10. Assemble a great breakfast and dig in for $1.86 / serving with enough to share!

Make A Difference!

Check out their phone app and website for great ideas on better cooking / eating!!