Main Dishes

Foods that abound in protein—meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and cheese—make satisfying main dishes. Thrifty main dishes often combine these protein-rich foods with vegetables and cereals—beef stew with vegetables or dumplings, chicken with rice, fish with stuffing, cheese with macaroni.

Dry beans and peas are also economical choices for main dishes.

If the main dish is not high in protein, you can supply additional protein with other foods in the meal. If, for example, a pound of meat is to serve eight persons, you might combine it with vegetables or cereal in a casserole or stew, have milk to drink, and serve cheese-topped apple pie for dessert.