Easy, Cheap Meals

Enhancing the Flavor

A big factor when it comes to recipes is finding the best seasonings and spices, something to give your food some flavor.

“Basic spices like salt, pepper, curry, ginger, cinnamon, red pepper flakes can help make bland dishes more exciting,” CWU Health and Science Professor Katy Williams explains. “Oil and vinegar can also be used in most cooking and makes a good last-minute salad dressing.”

Beyond seasonings, Williams points out foods like canned beans as good food to include in shopping lists. She explains that they are a good source of nutrients and can be used in a wide variety of dishes.

Ellensburg doesn’t have a variety of stores where you can find a number of ingredients and spices. According to Williams the best options are going to be Safeway, Fred Meyers and possibly the C-store in the SURC.

Building Your Meals

Once you find the right ingredients for your meal, try to find a base that can be paired with the main food item on your plate. Marissa Miles, registered and certified dietician, explains that no matter the dish, finding the base is the vital first step. For her, that includes choosing between rice and pasta

If you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe that fulfills your nutritional needs, CWU Diatetic Intern Brad Green shares a recipe and the ingredients for his Peanut Curry Ramen Noodle dish.