My review of the Frugal Foodie Cookbook unleashed a firestorm of almost 70 comments, including an easy-peasy recipe from Maggie that I’m going to try as soon as I kick this flu-ish bug I’m carrying.

BEER BREAD

1 can or bottle of beer
3 cups flour (they say self rising, but whatever you have would work fine, I should think)
3 tbsp sugar

Mix dry ingredients, then add beer, using a wooden spoon & then your hands. It will be sticky. Pour into a loaf pan, bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Holy yummy carb-y goodness

Jim has another name for frugal recipes:

My fiancee calls her version of those meals “fake it dinners”. Emptying the last vestiges in the pantry prior to getting a new load from the grocery store. We had one such meal last night. Squash/chicken drumsticks in a honey mustard marinade/salad. Tasty/simple/inexpensive.

Wendy shared a recipe for easy black bean soup:

Saute one onion, 1/4 inch dice, in 2 t. oil in a 3 qt. sauce pan, until soft. Add 2 t. cumin powder and 3 cloves crushed garlic to the onions and saute 30 seconds. Add one can re-fried low-fat or no fat black beans. Stir well. Add water until it’s the desired consistency (about 1-2 cups). Add 1 can drained and rinsed black beans and 1/2 jar of your favorite salsa. Throw in a handful of frozen corn. Adjust amount of water as necessary. Heat to simmering and serve.

Doreen says she makes do with what’s on hand:

A lot people want this book!!! I truly get excited when I can cook/bake something that doesn’t require another trip to the store. It was great when my son was home from college and i’d say ‘Ethan would you please run to the store for an onion’ and he would look at me like I was nuts but had to have that onion or can of chicken broth or whatever! But now that he is back at school the creativity kicks in and SURPRISE dinner is served! And by the way, there is nothing wrong with a can of soup and a sandwich after a cold evening watching your daughter play soccer until 7:00!

The winning comment came from Barbara, who gives a frank look into what it is like to make dinner at her house. We’ve all been there!

you know how kids are always saying “there’s nothing to eat” after you just spent $100 at the market? well, that’s ME !!! hahaha i am not very creative & figuring out what to do w/leftover ingredients makes my head spin. i usually end up with boring chicken (what??? you can mix your own stuff up to make a marinade?) just steamed vegetables (i am excited if i remember to melt butter over them) and what do i do with the mega box of bread crumbs (feed the birds?) bargain babe, i need help & this book…and if i go to amazon, i’ll end up being un-frugal & end up buying way too much stuff!!

If you didn’t win, check your library for a copy of the book or buy it from Amazon for $10.85. If you missed the scone recipe I made from the cookbook, grab it here. The scones freeze well and are perfect after being warmed in the toaster. Excellent with tea!