This recipe came from a friend when we were newlyweds and pinching our pennies. I felt like I could make it out of almost nothing, and although it isn’t very pretty, it tastes delicious! –Mellyn 
Continue reading
Category Archives: Onion Powder
Beans and Rice
I tried off and on for years to make something we considered edible in the beans and rice category, and failed miserably every time. But when our family lived in Florida, a friend from the Dominican Republic came over and taught me to make her black beans and rice, along with a delicious chicken. Slowly, her recipe morphed into one that is totally shelf stable and our family loves it! –Mellyn
Continue reading
Chicken-Lentil Soup
We love soups for lunch and on chilly fall evenings. They’re easy to make out of just a few ingredients and are tasty next to a sandwich. I’ve also noticed that with soup on the side, we tend to eat fewer chips and crackers, as well. Although this soup has a dark color (from the lentils), its flavor is more like chicken noodle. If you’d like the color to match the flavor, just cook your lentils separately, and add them to your soup after draining off the cooking liquid. –Mellyn 
Continue reading
Continue reading Beef ‘n’ Barley Stew
Thick and tangy, this tomato-based beef stew has long been one of our family favorites. We often use potatoes in place of the barley, and our favorite way to serve it is in a bread bowl. It’s perfect for dipping and delicious before trick-or-treating with these parmesan cheese rolls or bowls. –Mellyn 
Corn Chowder
I was introduced to this chowder as a missionary in Virginia. It’s hearty, tasty and quick to make. The corn gives it a slightly sweet flavor that the kids love! –Mellyn
Continue reading
Vegetable “Stone” Soup
From Teresa J.
My friend, Teresa, first introduced me to this version of stone soup. She hosted a kids’ activity at her home where we read the book Stone Soup and then made our own soup using a combination of fresh and canned veggies the kids brought to share. Since then, my kids have enjoyed making stone soup on a regular basis. We simply chop up whatever veggies we have in the fridge and supplement with tomatoes and whatever else looks good from the pantry. I’ve adapted it below specifically for shelf-stable food storage, but it’s much tastier with fresh, in my opinion. –Mellyn
Creamy Potato Soup
Potato soup may be the ultimate comfort food. This simple recipe is both easy and satisfying. –Mellyn 
Continue reading
Sweet Potato Salad
Potato salad is one of my favorites (especially with baked beans!). I had some cooked lentils on hand when I was making this and decided to experiment. The result was great! And lentils are so good for you — they have the 3rd highest protein content of any legume or nut and are also high in iron, folate, fiber and Vitamin B1. In addition, they store well and cook fast compared to other legumes. Go lentils! –Mellyn
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
These are some of the easiest and tastiest scalloped potatoes ever!
Adapted from a recipe I found in a cooking magazine years ago, my family never fails to devour these! –Mellyn
Chicken Fettucini Alfredo
This is Karen’s famous recipe, just food storage style!
Continue reading
Sweet n’ Spicy Spaghetti
This recipe is an adaptation of one I found several years ago on the Betty Crocker website. It’s sort of…well…sweet and spicy at the same time – a nice variation on traditional spaghetti sauce. I served mine over a layer of pasta covered by a layer of fresh spinach. Yum! –Mellyn
Frito-Bean Salad
–From Evelyn Z.
This zesty salad is perfect for potlucks and picnics. The chips provide an unexpected crunch that ensures your bowl will always leave the party empty! –Mellyn
Black Bean and Corn Salad
Summer salads are tasty all year round — especially if you live in the warm South like we do! This one is quick enough to make at a moment’s notice and tastes even better left over. –Mellyn
Mom’s Barbecue Beef
Growing up, Mom made her Barbecue for all of our family get togethers. This is our food storage version. –Mellyn
Continue reading
Bean and Potato Hash
This hearty skillet dinner is easy to cook up, tasty and satisying. Of course, our family eats it with ketchup! –Mellyn 
Continue reading
Chili
A friend gave me this recipe years ago. It’s still our favorite chili — mildly spicy with just a hint of sweet. My husband likes to dress it up with tobasco sauce. –Mellyn
Continue reading
Pineapple-Honey Chicken
Adapted from Six Sisters’ Stuff
My family has been loving this delicious crockpot chicken recipe! We hope your family will enjoy it, too! –Mellyn 
Continue reading
Grandmommie’s Mexican Squash
I remember my great grandmother making this squash recipe at a large family gathering. I think it was the first time I tasted zucchini and liked it! Since then, I’ve developed quite an appetite for this prolific vegetable, and it’s on our table year round! We don’t use a lot of Velveeta at our house, but it stores reasonably well (for about 6 months at a time) and provides some variety when my kids get tired of the same veggies. –Mellyn 
Continue reading
Twirly Italian Chicken Soup
The flour in this soup gives it a creamy texture without the additional calories of cream, and the oregano and basil give it an Italian flavor that my family finds irresistible! The Hobbit (our curly-haired youngest with the appetite of a hobbit!) eats 2 or 3 bowls of this every time I serve it! –Mellyn
Continue reading
Stove Top Lasagna
Another classic from Karen! This quick meal is easy to satisfy my picky eaters.
Continue reading