Friday, May 16, 2008

Frugal Friday: Big Ham & Pea Soup




Today's Frugal Friday is an idea that came from my mom. (Thanks Mom!) I bought a big ham this month. It's a 4 lb. ham and it cost $8.49.



I took the ham and sliced a few thin slices for a ham dinner, some thick slices to freeze, and some cubes to toss in the soup. By cutting it in this way, I have ham for 7-8 meals. Two slices is enough to cube up and add to bean soup, scalloped potatoes, or other similar recipes. This one ham will last us 2-3 months.



This week, I used it to make Split Pea Soup. I used yellow split peas just to be different. This pot of soup fed us for 2 meals and cost about $2.25 to make. Pea Soup is a great way to stretch the food dollar. It solidifies as it cools and you "reconstitute" it by adding more water. So it actually grows the next day! I love pea soup.


4 comments:

Partyhouse 4 God said...

That is fabulous!!!! Please send me the recipe for the soup- even though right now everything sounds gross. I probably will like it when i am feeling better

Kate said...

Sounds great! Ham isn't something I normally buy, but my whole family enjoys it. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Bekah said...

Our family loves Pea Soup! Do you cook it with the ham bone? If so, you're getting lots of calcium in with your soup!

Sharmista said...

No ham bone. But, it is a really simple recipe! I use 1 lb. of split peas, 8 c. water, 1 onion, 3 T. butter, 2 carrots cut up, and cubed ham, plus a bit of salt. Cook the onion in the butter til soft. Add everything else and simmer/low boil until the peas are soft (about 2 hours).