$2 appetizers

[saraha]

I have been teaching a budget cooking class for new/inexperienced snap recipients for over a year now, and this month's class is about appetizers.  If you only had $2 to spend on a snack/appetizer to take to a party/gathering, what would you take?

Thanks!

 

ETA:  I would love all ideas, from easy to more complex, as they can be used at different times over the course of the year,

Thanks!

Edited December 7, 2016 by saraha

[IfIOnly]

deviled eggs

[IfIOnly]

I have been teaching a budget cooking class for new/inexperienced snap recipients for over a year now, and this month's class is about appetizers. If you only had $2 to spend on a snack/appetizer to take to a party/gathering, what would you take?

Thanks!

I want to add that it is really awesome you do this!!

[saraha]

Thanks!  I am brain storming a big list that they can put in their binders to refer to if they have an occasion to bring something.  It is important to my students that they feel like they are contributing to the gatherings, more than a bag of chips. KWIM?

[mathnerd]

It depends on how many people are at the party. Is it for a dozen people or more?

 

ETA: I am very impressed that you are doing this kind of project. Kudos to you.

Edited December 7, 2016 by mathnerd

[saraha]

Thanks, our church sponsors it and it has been a great volunteer activity for me, it is nice to get out of the house and do something non-kid centered.  We make and sample everything in class, and the participants get to take home all of the leftover ingredients.  So they get a free meal, learn a little something, and usually get free food in the form of a brand new bottle of spice that has a teaspoon taken out of it, half a gallon of milk that we use one cup of etc.  We are making a couple of things to try in class, but I also wanted to make a handy reference list to add to their binders.

[frugalmamatx]

Deviled Eggs

mini quiches

homemade chex mix {uses WIC cereal too}

muffins

cupcakes

Garlicc bread {$1 loaf of french bread on clearance rack, butter & garlic / herbs

[Pippen]

Flavored popcorn--caramel corn, kettle corn, etc

[IfIOnly]

Fried lentil cakes and falafel. These are inexpensive to make and so yummy. Both can be baked, as well.

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/538063-mushur-dalfried-lentil-cakes/

Edited December 7, 2016 by ifIonlyhadabrain

[mathnerd]

Bean Dip

Bruschetta using canned tomatoes if real tomatoes will not fit into the budget

Hummus

Tzatziki

home made baked goods

 

[indigomama]

Dips to go with chips, salsa ingredients are inexpensive

[saraha]

My problem with dips, is that they have to buy the chips.  Our local grocery store doesn't have chips for less than $2 unless it is the cheap pretzels.  So the whole thing (including dippers) has to cost $2. We can get a box of saltines for $1 though

[regentrude]

home baked bread

[regentrude]

My problem with dips, is that they have to buy the chips.

 

Dip and veggies. Carrot sticks are inexpensive. ETA: So is celery.

Edited December 7, 2016 by regentrude

[regentrude]

baked potatoe wedges. Potatoes are often very cheap.

[IfIOnly]

Dip and veggies. Carrot sticks are inexpensive.

Hummus (using canned garbanzo beans makes it super easy, but I make big lots and freeze the beans instead of buying canned)and carrot sticks are good. I have a friend who uses peanut butter in place of the tahini. Tastes good to me!

Edited December 7, 2016 by ifIonlyhadabrain

[bibiche]

Rice pancakes. Also a good way to use up leftover rice.  Mix rice with some sauteed onions, carrots, whatever you've got, add an egg to bind, saute.

Edited December 7, 2016 by bibiche

[SparklyUnicorn]

popcorn?

 

 

[prairiewindmomma]

$2 budget is very, very hard.  If they can stretch it to $3, they have a lot more options.  I think at $2 you are stuck baking a very basic flour based recipe with margarine and canola oil:

rosemary breadsticks

apple spice muffins

carrot cake muffins 

 

zucchini fritters: http://www.budgetbytes.com/2011/01/zucchini-fritters/

 

If they can find a good sale or have $3:

broiled pears/baked apples (if you can find a good in season fruit sale)

strawberry & bananas (presentation is nice!): https://www.pinterest.com/pin/43065740159736600/

pears: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/43065740163386440/

grape snakes & banana penguins : https://www.pinterest.com/pin/43065740163386428/

strawberries: yogurt hearts https://www.pinterest.com/pin/43065740161465843/

[regentrude]

a fruit platter or fruit salad.

Fresh fruit is received usually very well at parties. Just stay away from expensive berries. At this time of the year, under $2 can be an orange  + an apple + a couple of bananas. In the summer, water melon is cheap.

Edited December 7, 2016 by regentrude

[SparklyUnicorn]

a fruit platter or fruit salad.

Fresh fruit is received usually very well at parties. Just stay away from expensive berries. At this time of the year, under $2 can be an orange  + an apple + a couple of bananas. In the summer, water melon is cheap.

 

Not around here!

 

Produce is SO expensive around here.

[Guest]

There's a restaurant by our house that does these baked saltine crackers with some kind of spice seasoning. They're like crack. So addictive. My mom makes some type of oyster crackers in a ranch type oil mix she bakes at Christmas. Also amazing and addictive. I think either or those would be cheap. I can try and find a recipe from her if you need it.

[SamanthaCarter]

a loaf of banana bread or similar. 

 

[redsquirrel]

I would bake a loaf of bread. Right now I can buy 5lbs of white unbleached flour for .89.  I only need approx 2.5 cups of flour to make bread. There are approx 20 cups of flour in a 5lb bag. That means it costs pennies for a loaf of bread.

[SparklyUnicorn]

I would bake a loaf of bread. Right now I can buy 5lbs of white unbleached flour for .89.  I only need approx 2.5 cups of flour to make bread. There are approx 20 cups of flour in a 5lb bag. That means it costs pennies for a loaf of bread.

 

And the yeast...which is the most expensive part.  Still should bring one under $2 though.

[redsquirrel]

And the yeast...which is the most expensive part.  Still should bring one under $2 though.

 

If...and I understand this is a big if...you have access to a co-op style market where you can buy bulk then yeast can be super cheap.  When I have been at my poorest my co-op membership was my best friend.  I have absolutely bought .25 worth of yeast.  I was always buying very small amounts of grains etc, just enough to get me to the next payday and it was always very inexpensive.  I am sure they knew me as the crazy lady who bough .50 of rice...but that was all I needed/could afford.

 

I did have to pay 10$ a year for my membership over 10 years. But I was always able to find the 10$ at some point. And at this point I am a lifetime member so no more paying.  I always had the option of paying off the 100$ membership vs paying it off over the 10 years. I just took the payment option.

[Sneezyone]

Fire crackers. 1 sleeve saltines, 1 cup oil, 1 pkg ranch dressing mix and red pepper flakes. Put in a ziplock and soak overnight. ALWAYS a hit and no dip required. It's also easy to make in great, big batches. Fire Crackers Recipe - Food.com

Edited December 7, 2016 by Sneezyone

[chocolatechip]

I would do seasoned roasted potato wedges.

[mathnerd]

Baked banana chips - healthy, cheap and easy to make. In my area, the ethnic grocery stores sell bananas for 49 cents a pound. This would fit your budget.

Here is a link:

http://naturallyella.com/baked-banana-chips/

 

I think that baked apple chips and baked Kale chips might fit the requirements too!

[SparklyUnicorn]

If...and I understand this is a big if...you have access to a co-op style market where you can buy bulk then yeast can be super cheap.  When I have been at my poorest my co-op membership was my best friend.  I have absolutely bought .25 worth of yeast.  I was always buying very small amounts of grains etc, just enough to get me to the next payday and it was always very inexpensive.  I am sure they knew me as the crazy lady who bough .50 of rice...but that was all I needed/could afford.

 

I did have to pay 10$ a year for my membership over 10 years. But I was always able to find the 10$ at some point. And at this point I am a lifetime member so no more paying.  I always had the option of paying off the 100$ membership vs paying it off over the 10 years. I just took the payment option.

 

Yeah the three packs of yeast are over $2.  I think that's a total rip.

[Sneezyone]

I'm a pacnorwest native and in that area salmon or tuna croquettes in bite-sizes would also be welcome. 1 can fish, chopped onion, egg, salt, pepper and oil for frying. That's it.

[SparklyUnicorn]

OP, what are food prices like in your area?  Some of these I'm thinking yes...$2.  Some of these I'm thinking...NO WAY...not even close.  Food prices where I am are above average, but not crazy about average.

 

 

[redsquirrel]

Yeah the three packs of yeast are over $2.  I think that's a total rip.

 

it totally is.  These days I buy a pound of yeast at the co-op for 4$ and it lasts me a year, more or less. I keep it in the freezer so it stays fresh. But, if I didn't have the 4$ to spend on yeast, I could also buy as much or as little as I wanted at the same co-op. Those dinky packages are criminally overpriced. You are better off buying a pound and splitting it with friends.

 

Or, for as much as those packages cost, if you buy the pound and only use a quarter of it, you are still probably ahead of the game. I'd rather toss half than buy those packets, because I'd still get my money's worth.

[Sneezyone]

You might try looking at some wartime recipes. The croquettes were a specialty of my grandmother, queen of make-do cooking.

[saraha]

We live in a in a one grocery store town in a rural area.  Prices are higher out here than in the big city an hour away. You can usually get carrots for $1/lb, celery for $1.59 a package, onions 3lbs for 1.99.  A box of saltines will cost $1.  I don't really know how that compares to other areas.

[zoobie]

Kettle corn or seasoned popcorn

Roasted, seasoned chickpeas (very cheap from dried)

Foccacia bread

[SparklyUnicorn]

it totally is.  These days I buy a pound of yeast at the co-op for 4$ and it lasts me a year, more or less. I keep it in the freezer so it stays fresh. But, if I didn't have the 4$ to spend on yeast, I could also buy as much or as little as I wanted at the same co-op. Those dinky packages are criminally overpriced. You are better off buying a pound and splitting it with friends.

 

Or, for as much as those packages cost, if you buy the pound and only use a quarter of it, you are still probably ahead of the game. I'd rather toss half than buy those packets, because I'd still get my money's worth.

 

When I baked bread more regularly I bought the jarred yeast.  It was a bit of an investment up front, but overall was much less expensive.  I kept it in the fridge.  That's just probably going to be a major turn off price wise for people on a very tight budget. 

[SamanthaCarter]

Just thought of another one  - some sort of savory cream puff (choux pastry). It just choux with some cheese and herbs mixed into the dough. Four eggs and a handful of inexpensive shredded cheese could be under $2. Or at least close. 

[Sneezyone]

Depending on the time of day, maybe mini scones? Rather than icing them, brush with milk and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking.

[SparklyUnicorn]

We live in a in a one grocery store town in a rural area.  Prices are higher out here than in the big city an hour away. You can usually get carrots for $1/lb, celery for $1.59 a package, onions 3lbs for 1.99.  A box of saltines will cost $1.  I don't really know how that compares to other areas.

 

Just priced those here.  I chose the cheapest options.  Carrots would be $1 a pound.  Celery $1.99 per bunch.  $2 per 3 pounds of onions (on sale this week).  $1.99 for the cheapest box of saltines (store brand).

[FaithManor]

I would get celery and an 8 oz container of sour cream, add herbs/spices to the sour cream such as garlic, smoked paprika, and minced onion or onion powder, mix, and spread in the groove of celery sticks.

[prairiewindmomma]

I think the underlying problem is that doing any of that completely from scratch often requires you to lean against the pantry you already have.  So, if you are using an egg in baking, it's that you already have eggs in your house. Likewise, most of the fruit stuff above doesn't use an entire container of fruit---you use less, but present it well--but it presupposes that you are either already have fruit in your house or you're setting aside some for breakfast/snacks later on in the week.  

 

I taught a very similar class some years ago....and it's those foundational skills of planning, maintaining portion size, etc. that makes $2 appetizers work.  One also generally has to have a working oven, and a few kitchen tools as well.  We found the working oven (and knowing how to work said oven) to be a challenge.

[SparklyUnicorn]

I think the underlying problem is that doing any of that completely from scratch often requires you to lean against the pantry you already have.  So, if you are using an egg in baking, it's that you already have eggs in your house. Likewise, most of the fruit stuff above doesn't use an entire container of fruit---you use less, but present it well--but it presupposes that you are either already have fruit in your house or you're setting aside some for breakfast/snacks later on in the week.  

 

I taught a very similar class some years ago....and it's those foundational skills of planning, maintaining portion size, etc. that makes $2 appetizers work.  One also generally has to have a working oven, and a few kitchen tools as well.  We found the working oven (and knowing how to work said oven) to be a challenge.

 

Yeah when I think $2 I think $2 without relying on a well stocked pantry.  If my budget is very tight I probably don't have a well stocked pantry.

[Guest]

I think this is pretty close to my Mom's recipe. I wonder if you bought the ingredients (or some of them) at Aldi if you could stay in the $2 range. 

 

http://www.food.com/recipe/dill-ranch-snack-crackers-88797

Edited December 7, 2016 by texasmom33

[SparklyUnicorn]

bag of pretzels...probably can get the store brand for $2

 

 

[lewber]

Maybe a pasta salad? I can get box of noodles for $1 and then maybe you could get some slices of pepperoni and mozzarella from the deli. Dressing would be tricky unless you had oil and spices I guess.

 

Roasted chickpeas or roasted potatoes 

[IfIOnly]

I think this is pretty close to my Mom's recipe. I wonder if you bought the ingredients (or some of them) at Aldi if you could stay in the $2 range.

 

http://www.food.com/recipe/dill-ranch-snack-crackers-88797

Are the crackers served soggy or wet? I was expecting them to need to be baked.

[SamanthaCarter]

So if we were making a recipe that called for some flour and and a few eggs we don't figure the cost of the amount used, but the cost of the entire package? We have to assume that the rest of the ingredients won't help for other meals? 

[saraha]

Yeah when I think $2 I think $2 without relying on a well stocked pantry.  If my budget is very tight I probably don't have a well stocked pantry.

 

This is the premise we are working under, that they would need to go buy the ingredients.  On the flip side, by creating a master list of options, hopefully this will help get their juices flowing to work with some ingredient they already have, or think ahead to that party at the daycare next week and what will I take.

[Guest]

Are the crackers served soggy or wet? I was expecting them to need to be baked.

 

 

They're definitely not soggy or wet. I would compare the oily level to that maybe of Ruffles? I found this recipe as well, which does bake them. I'll ask my Mom what she does when I talk to her later today. You would think I would've paid more attention to how she does it, but I usually just snarf them down and am happy someone else made me a snack for once.  :blush:

 

https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/hidden-valley-oyster-crackers/