Old lady at the bus stop taught me a 50 cent bean trick

I was waiting at the 72 bus stop on Grand Avenue last Tuesday and this older woman saw me eating a sad gas station sandwich. She just shook her head and said honey you can cook a whole bag of lentils for less than a dollar. She told me to add a diced carrot and a bay leaf while they simmer and it makes the cheapest meal taste like you actually tried. I tried it that night and it made 4 bowls for like 2 bucks total. Anyone else got a simple veggie hack like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

bennett.mason17h ago

Canned tomatoes are a lifesaver, totally agree. I do the same thing with a can of diced tomatoes and some chili powder in my lentils and it feels way fancier than it should for like a dollar more lmao.

stellachen17h ago

Yeah, no joke. Canned tomatoes are my go-to, just throw a can in with some beans and it makes everything taste like you cooked for hours. Cheap and lazy, the best combo.

david56216h ago

Read somewhere that adding a pinch of smoked paprika makes cheap beans taste gourmet.