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I recently discovered edamame. A 12-ounce bag, shelled or in the pods, costs $2.50. I use it as a pre-dinner snack, but it can also be used for all kinds of healthy snacks and side dishes!
Make Edamame Hummus
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup edamame, shelled, cooked and cooled
2 tablespoons water
Juice of 1 lemon
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons tahnini or sesame oil
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
kosher salt to taste
Directions:
In a food processor, pulse the first six ingredients together until very well blended. Keep pulsing the food processor and drizzle in the olive oil, until the consistency of the dip is soft but not drippy. Salt to taste. Serve and enjoy!
Related: 20 salads hearty enough for tonight's dinner
Bagged Spinach 2. Bagged Spinach
A 9-ounce bag of spinach is $2.99, and sometimes even less with a coupon. I use it to make nutritious salads, wilt it as a base for fish, or even chop and add it to soups.
Make a spinach, tangerine, and fennel salad
Brown Rice 3. Brown Rice
A 32-ounce bag of rice costs $2.39. This can easily feed our family of three for at least six meals. I use it for everything from making fried rice bowls, serving with grilled chicken, or stuffing peppers and eggplant.
7 things to make with brown rice
Related: The 25 healthiest foods under $1
Canned Tuna 4. Canned Tuna
A quality 5-ounce can of tuna costs a mere $1.65. There are so many ways to use it, plus you can store it for later. My family's favorite recipe is tuna salad.
10 meals to make with a can of tuna
Eggs 5. Eggs
One egg costs $0.25. Of course, I usually buy a half-dozen, but since I eat one for lunch with a slice of whole wheat bread, I know I'm getting a good deal. A single slice of toast and one egg makes a $0.36 meal!
Make baked eggs in avocado
Related: Bacon-flavored cola...and 13 more disgusting soda flavors
Dried Lentils 6. Dried Lentils
Some grocery stores don't have a bulk grain aisle, but you can still get basic grains at good prices. A 16-ounce bag of dried lentils costs around $0.85, and I can use that to make at least two batches of soup that feed four people each.
Make vegan chili with dried lentils
Related: Real fast food - 12 meals you can make in under 30 minutes
Whole Wheat Pasta7. Whole Wheat Pasta
A 13.2-ounce box of whole wheat pasta costs about $1.50. I usually buy two boxes in different shapes because we eat it all the time! Our favorite way to serve it is tossed with fresh vegetables.
Make whole wheat pasta with kale
- By Kelsey Banfield
Follow Kelsey on Babble
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