In my last post, I wrote that I am able to buy a large amount of produce for just $10.
I had plenty of tomatillos that I didn’t quite know what to do with.
Well, I am not scared to experiment with my culinary skills. A quick search online showed that some people put tomatillos into chili.
![](https://i1.wp.com/steemitimages.com/0x0/http://i.imgur.com/KtSouki.jpg?w=620&ssl=1)
(If you have never had a straight tomatillo, like me until this past weekend, think of a granny smith apple as a tomato and you will be pretty close to the taste of one. A firm, tart tomato thingy.)
It did get my thinking of what I could do, though.
Looking in the fridge I saw some leftover corn and a little bit of red pepper. They would be added.
In the cupboard was a can of black beans that had been purchased at a reduced price of $.39 because the can was double labeled. Back in the fridge was a bag of shredded cheese and a few cooked Italian sausages from lunch the day before.
![](https://i1.wp.com/steemitimages.com/0x0/http://i.imgur.com/vpB2msH.jpg?w=620&ssl=1)
My estimate of the cost of this dinner.
Ingredients from $10 veggie box:
- Corn .04
- 1/4th Red Pepper .06
- 1lb Tomatillo .16
Other ingredients:
- Black Beans .39
- Splash of Olive Oil .10
- Spices .04
- Cheese .07
- 1/5th of an Italian Sausage .14
The total cost was $1 but it ended up being two meals worth. So each meal was 50 cents AND healthy!
The beans said 110 calories per serving, with two servings in the can – no fat. Add in the rest of the ingredients and I think around 250 calories and 6-8 grams of fat is a good estimate. (Google said a tomatillo is about 11 calories and .3g fat)
I’m not saying that this was some amazing out of this world meal. It was a nice, healthy meal that just cost me very little.
If I was to change anything, I would add a bit more sausage as the tomatillo is tart and having something spicy to balance it out works well. I had a lot of tomatillos and not so much sausage. Still, I won’t mind having the rest for lunch tomorrow.
If you want to try out this recipe, here it is fast and loose.
1lb diced tomatillo and red pepper in pot with a splash of olive oil. Cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Stir as needed.
Add corn, beans, cooked chopped sausage and spices. Cook until most of the water is evaporated.
Put in bowl, and top with a sprinkle of cheese.
You probably could make this vegan by removing the sausage/cheese and instead put in a diced hot pepper of your choice to balance the tart tomatillos.
![](https://i0.wp.com/steemitimages.com/0x0/http://i.imgur.com/C6lNxTc.jpg?w=620&ssl=1)
Thanks for reading!
2 comments
Mrs. Picky Pincher
February 8, 2017 at 8:33 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I’ve never had tomatillos in chili! I’ll have to try that out when they’re in season.
Oh gosh, I have so many healthy, cheap meals that I love. Fried rice with veggies, asparagus artichoke pasta, and veggie minestrone soup are my favorites.![My Profile](http://www.doublingdollars.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
Mrs. Picky Pincher recently posted…7 Ways To Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half
MrDD
February 8, 2017 at 9:18 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Artichokes are another thing I have never quite figured out. It would be nice to have them offered in one of the weekly veggie boxes. Thanks for the direction to research a couple more cheap meals besides the common stuff like rice and beans.