Recession-proof recipes

So what's the trick? Look for recipes that use inexpensive ingredients and allow for some flexibility to "clean out the fridge" or add a few extras to vary the taste. If you're looking for ideas, check out one of these tasty choices.

Taco Lentil Rice Casserole Recipe

Lentils and beans are staple foods in many regions of the world for good reason. Not only are they inexpensive, they're packed with vitamins, fibre and protein. In a pinch, they can serve as a meat alternative and vegetable all in one, and they have a very long shelf life. Rice with lentils is a familiar recipe for frugal cooks, but to make it more interesting it's all about the seasoning.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup lentils
1/4 cup brown rice
1 envelope taco seasoning
3 cups broth

Pour all into casserole dish and cook at 300 degrees F for 2 - 2 1/2 hours.

Serve on soft tortilla shells with traditional taco fixings. Also makes base for a taco salad. Serves four people.

(Source: CDKitchen.com)

Vegetarian Stew

There are many reasons stews are so popular: they're hearty, they make great leftovers and they freeze well. To cut the costs even further, cut the meat out altogether. This easy stew recipe from CDKitchen.com uses inexpensive ingredients like rice, beans and cabbage:

Ingredients:

1 can kidney beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion -- thinly sliced
4 large clove garlic -- minced
1 green bell pepper -- coarsely chopped)
1 cup green cabbage -- coarsely shredded
1/2 cup diced potatoes
16 ounces diced tomatoes -- undrained
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
4 cups water or vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste