Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

re: Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

Nancy — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:16:25 GMT

I dont add too much milk either,more buter and if i have cheese slices I add that to make it cheesier.

re: Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

Cassie — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:43:42 GMT

I grew up with mac n cheese when I'd eat it with my babysitters when my parents would go out.

I loved eating it as a kid and now that I'm in college, I still enjoy eating it once in a while.

I don't consider it a poor man's meal, it's an american classic meal to me.

But I do enjoy using little milk and a little bit more of butter to cooking it that makes it tastier while adding either tuna or some peas or corn to it which makes it taste even better. :-)

re: Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

Tim — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 05:21:11 GMT

Recently my wages were garnished by the state of VA ( back state taxes) I can tell you that boxed mac and cheese ( the kroger version) Has made things easier. I make it with "earth balance" spread and 2% milk and usually cook some greens to go with it ( and a dash of hot sauce) My usual grocery store trips include about 6 or 7 boxes of it along with veggies and oranges and whatever. It may not be the healthiest, but neither are alot of other things people eat. I am not paid off, but i will keep it in mind when i am saving up for a small trip or something...lol

Peace !

re: Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

Cyndy — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:44:55 GMT

I used to buy this when I lived in South Carolina, and couldn't get to a grocery store. All of the convenience stores sold it by the case. We lived in the country, and the nearest grocery store was around 15 miles from where we lived, and I had no car, but I could walk to the convenience store, and this, and Castleberry Beef Stew were staples in our house.

re: Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

Evie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:08:20 GMT

When I was growing up, it was definitely one of the cheap (and better tasting) poverty foods. Once my sisters and I complained about ramen noodles or something and ended up eating mac and cheese for every night for two weeks. Now as a mother of two, I buy the wal-mart brand thick and creamy because it tastes better, is cheaper than Kraft, and is a quick and easy side dish or base for a casserole when I don't have any meat thawed for dinner.

re: Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

poetcomic — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:23:36 GMT

The key is creativity. Both Mac n' Cheese and Ramen are great for mixing with odds and ends of veggies and meat in the fridge. As for the milk aspect. One of my 'poverty staples' is a big box of off brand dried milk.

re: Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

Helen — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:18:59 GMT

It was pretty much all I had to eat as a pregnant lady. If I had a little extra cash, I would get a can of tuna and maybe some chopped frozen broccoli to put in and try and make it a little nutritious. Then my baby was born and I was nursing him, and he got colic, so dairy, wheat, and cruciferous veggies were out of my diet.

re: Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

Aimicus — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:14:54 GMT

I lead a group of high school students volunteered at a St. Vincent DePaul foodbank this last summer, and the customers do get a choice. If they want mac and cheese they'll get it, if they don't they'll reach for something else to meet their pasta quota.

Besides, I don't see how anyone wouldn't want it unless they are completely burnt out on it (I get that way with ramen sometimes) it's really good. We eat it at least once a week when we have it my fiancee and I are practically addicted to it.

re: Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

Joyce Harris — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:05:18 GMT

Well it is a comfort food but what I do is add good cheese to it and sometimes onions and mushrooms, it is really yummy! It is quick and satisfying and I don't consider it a poor's people food at all! Cheerio

re: Mac & Cheese: Comfort food or poor person's dinner?

Polly — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:45:00 GMT

I have two brothers. My mom was a single parent and worked as hard as possible to make sure we had food and clothes. She would make a box of mac and cheese and add hamburger meat to it to make it a meal. I have a husband and 4 kids. I am not wanting for money or anything else. I still make this for my kids every so often because it takes me back to my childhood. It doesn't matter what you are eating as long as you are eating it with the family. Make meal time a time to talk to your kids about what's going on in thier lives.

Also, about the food bank items...I agree with most people that milk is expensive. So pick up some powdered milk. It doesn't taste good as a drink but when you use it to cook, you cant tell the diffrence. Also, powdered eggs. My mom used to make french toast with powdered eggs. It was alot better than using real eggs. But honestly getting anything from a food bank (if you actually need it) is better than you or your family going without. Instead of Cereal (which once again takes milk) try buying flavored oatmeal. It's not only healthy, but the kids love it. It also gives them at least one hot meal a day! Thank you