Cheap Food I Love: Lentils

Lentils are the epitome of cheap, nutritious food. They can be bought in bulk for very little money and can be used in a variety of ways-soups, curry dishes, etc. A friend who studied in India for a semester told me that the reason they're so popular there is because they are cheap and filling, thanks the high amount of fiber they carry. Yes, they are a bit time consuming, but I think it's totally worth it. Soaking them definitely makes a difference in the cooking time.

Cheap Food I Love: Bulgur

Bulgur is a fantastic grain to work with and can be cheap when purchased in bulk (I've found it in the bulk section of whole foods). Though it is commonly used in tabouli recipes, I've used in vegetarian chili to add some texture to it.

Cheap Food I Love: Seedless Grapes

Grapes may not be as versatile as some of the other food I've mentioned in this mini-series, but they are my favorite thing to snack on when I want something sweet. They're great for car trips and are a welcome addition in salads. When it's hot out I love to stick them in the freezer as a summer treat.

Cheap Food I Love: Portobello Mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms can do no wrong in my eyes. I love the tough, meaty texture of them, which makes them perfect for grilling. During a recent camping trip, a fellow veg and I grilled them and ate them on burger buns topped with cheese. They're also a perfect addition to vegetarian chili.

Cheap Food I Love: Garbanzo Beans

There's no reason not to love garbanzo beans. They are cheap, protein-packed, and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Yes, I do cheat and buy them canned instead of dry, but I make a point to buy the low-sodium/no salt added varieties to cut down on the sodium. I also make it a point to rinse the beans before cooking with them.

My favorite ways to cook with garbanzo beans include (but are not limited to):
1. hummus
2. in pasta
3. roasted in the oven
4. in salads

hummus is super-easy to make. you just need a can of garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, a couple of garlic cloves, your spices of choice, and a blender/food processor and you're in business! there's a million different ways you can use hummus, too.

for those of you who watch Top Chef DC, I was ecstatic to see the pasta dish that was described as "hummus undone." Sometimes I will take leftover garbanzo beans and toss them in olive oil with garlic, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes over pasta.

roasted chickpeas is great as a snack. it's easy to make, too: preheat your oven for 400 degrees, grease a baking sheet, spread the chickpeas out evenly on the sheet, bake for 30 minutes (check frequently), then toss with your seasoning of choice. I like to use sea salt, black pepper, and chili powder.

If you like to get a little more adventurous with chickpeas, homemade falafel is always fun to make! I like to bake mine instead of frying it to make it a little healthier.

an upcoming mini-series

Unfortunately, I was unable to secure guest bloggers to take my place while I'm on vacation. However, I recently became aware of the fact that blogger allows you to write posts for future dates that they post for you.

Bearing this in mind, I will be writing a mini-series for the next few days called, "cheap food I love." It will feature a variety of food, including different ways to prepare them and why they are nutritious.