Frugal Tips: Turn Takeout Into Make-In

Here in Vermont we don’t have the opportunity to order take out and as a result we’ve learned to make our own meals as good or better than anything you could order. However if you live in an urban or suburban area, you probably have dozens of places that deliver cheap, fast takeout food. When you’re juggling a busy schedule it’s hard not to rely on take out now and then.

But convenience comes with a price. Not only does takeout generate numerous disposable containers but the food is usually higher in fat, calories and sodium content than just about anything homemade. If you’re trying to spend less money reduce your take out ordering! There are many typical take out meals that you can reproduce at home for a fraction of the cost. Pizza, stir-fries and fried rice are just a couple of examples.

Here is our Fried Rice Recipe that we’ve been making for years. You can also add any leftovers you have in the fridge. The last time I made this meal I used up our leftover rice and a little left over corn. It is also wonderful the next day for lunch.

Ham and Egg Fried Rice

3 cups cooked rice
2 eggs – scrambled in 1 Tbsp oil
½ cup diced cooked ham
½ cup cooked peas
1 ½ Tbsp soy sauce
1 stalk scallion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp oil

Heat 1 Tbsp oil, when it is hot, add your eggs and scramble them. Remove the eggs from the pan and set aside.

Heat 2 Tbsp oil and stir-fry the rice thoroughly.

Add soy sauce and stir. Add peas and ham and stir again. Add scrambles eggs and scallions breaking the eggs into smaller pieces while mixing. Stir a few more times. Serve hot.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, with a little practice, you may end up tossing  that takeout menu collection!

Linked to: HungryLittleGirl, LoveBakesGoodCakes, EcoKidsTuesday, MostlyHomemadeMom, AllSheCooks, KatherinesCorner, LambertsLately, FrugalFollies, FrugallySustainable, HomemakersChallenge, SevenAlive, TheBrambleberryCottage, ADelightsomeLife, ALifeInBalance, ServingJoyfully, MizHelensCountryCottage, Saving4Six, TheThriftyHome, AGlimpseInside, LoveInTheKitchen, KatheWithAnE, GooseberryPatch