Dinner on a (few) dimes(s)

It's a billion degrees here but that doesn't stop me from making one of my favorite dinners.

Soup is the catch all dinner, it always works.  Lately I've let the sales dictate what I buy.  Let's break down these ingredients


eggplant                $0.88
cauliflower            $0.99
onion                     $0.40
bell pepper            $0.33
1/2 acorn squash   $1.25
dried beans            $1.39
tomatoes                $1.29
fresh dill                 $2.29


Total                       $8.82

I just simmered everything together (after soaking and precooking the beans) and came up with a wonderful dish.  Too thick to be a soup, but with enough veggies beans and squash to feel like a complete meal.  Towards the end it had a little too much liquid for what I was going for so I threw in about a third cup of some random tiny grain in my cupboard.  Also threw in spices (literally threw them in, not even sure what they were).  Topped with fresh dill and parmesan.

Full disclosure-  Emry & I are the only ones eating this.  Full disclosure-  Emry is my favorite child.  I froze separate bags in the freezer for easy thawing and eating.  It made about 20 good size servings.  That equals out to about $0.44 per serving!!  Next year I will definitely remember to grow more fresh herbs as that was the most expensive part of this meal.


It was delicious and the rest of my family is missing out.  


When you buy dry beans and a few veggies on sale, dinner is not only ridiculously cheap, but super healthy as well.  


Plus, after such a virtuous dinner, you can have dessert.  For me that would be frozen berries mixed with yogurt and tons of granola on top. 

Considering  what I spend on greek yogurt and all the ingredients for granola, it's a good thing I save money somewhere.