I had Hamburger Helper for dinner and loved it.

Potted meat with crackers is delicious.

Well put a photo on your Instagram so everyone can enjoy it

White trash

'What's "Potted meat", precious? What's "Potted meat"?

I've never had Spam in my life, but I'd like to try some fried. Just never had the courage to buy some.

I do love scrapple and pork-roll though.

Lightly toasted sourdough bread w light Kraft salad dressing thinly spread . Hllshure farms oven roasted turkey breast . Tangerines in the side .

Chef-Boy-ar-Dee ravioli out of a can. Comfort food.

R7, straight from the can/cold?

Of course not, silly. But feel free to eat it that way yourself if it makes you feel better.

Hot dogs.

Every once in a while, maybe 2-3 times a year, I make tuna casserole with potato chips crumbled on top. It’s a damn good comfort food. If this was Reddit, I’d probably be downvoted to oblivion.

Underwood Deviled Ham on saltines.

Me too, r11.

I use a big can of tuna in oil.

The oil adds fat, flavor and moisture.

I get the cheap kippered sardines with the heads still on and save the eyes for a salad I like.

White trash food is lazy food (being white trash myself, I know.), but Hamburger Helper is like eating turkey hot dogs with canned chili on them and calling it a casserole.

That's lower than trash.

I just ate Dominos pizza.

My mom has been unable to walk this year - I am taking care of her by myself, working, errands, housework …. for the first time this year I broke down and started making Hamburger Helper I add onions, zuchinni and spinach to it - pluse more pasta so it isn’t wet. It is easy - it reheats in the microwave. I know I could make my own healthier version but I am stressed to the boiling point these days - for this small point in time it has been helpful.

Jack in the box tacos.

R17 You do whatever you need to do.. Caring for someone who can't walk is a huge undertaking. I'm not sure how old you mom is or how her dietary restrictions impact things, but make it easy on yourself. Fresh fruit, salads, and steamed veggies in the micro are easy. Casseroles, stews and crock pot meals are great. Make three on Sunday and rotate that stuff in for lunches and dinners. Fish sticks one day. Seriously, my mom was in an assisted living places for 3 years and we were glad shen she ate anything. At some point and at some age, as long as the food taste pretty and is nourishing, that is all that that matters.

Earrings

Caftans

Gin

Regret

[quote] I've never had Spam in my life, but I'd like to try some fried. Just never had the courage to buy some. I do love scrapple and pork-roll though.

You love scrapple and you need courage to buy a can of Spam? Just buy a damn can (of Spam), slice it up, and fry it until crisped up on the outsides. Make a sandwich with it or scramble some eggs. It's not a big deal.

Tater tots, all the way. There’s only a 2 minute window when they’re perfect— won’t burn your tongue, but still so hot you don’t notice all the grease. But in those 2 minutes… mmm mmm.

R4 you can find it in the grocery aisle with the spam.

Kraft macaroni and cheese with tuna.

I agree, potted meat or Vienna wieners with crackers. Banquet turkey pot pies, too.

I love it too but it’s too salty.

I snack on Lunchables cracker stackers.

Rice-a-Roni

Love.

It.

R5 , go to an Hawaiian BBQ place when you are ready to try it for the first time. They know what they are doing.

The makers of "Hamburger Helper" are missing a marketing opportunity. Why not Tripe Helper? ...or Octopus Helper?

Or egg helper for the brainless gymbro whores.

Grilled cheese with American cheese and a side of tomato soup.

When it’s cold and I’m hungry, lazy and need some love.

According to Cousin Eddie, Helper is just fine by itself.

R17, You're a good son (or daughter).

[quote]Post WWII institutional food service (including school cafeterias) paired grilled cheese with tomato soup to provide the required Vitamin C component

So that’s why people eat it with that nasty ghetto “soup”.

For something quick I’ll rinse and dice a cube of Spam Lite (even the 25% reduced sodium is too salt) and fry that in butter and olive oil.

As that’s going you start a pack of Knotts rice or pasta. The broccoli cheddar being my go-to. I add a teaspoon of minced onion.

And that’s that —A perfectly respectable white trash pairing.

That sounds good for those days when I’m tender to the touch, r32

I’m a vegetarian but I used to love making it with lentils. We didn’t each food like that growing up so in my 20s when I discovered it I thought it was great.

As a kid I loved those tiny canned Vienna Sausages until the day I read the label.

I love scrapple too (grew up in Maryland). I live out west now where they don't sell it. Whenever I go back east for a visit, I indulge in a scrapple breakfast. It's good for a treat, but not something I'd want to eat on a regular basis.

I used to love me some hamburger helper.

Tomorrow I’m making baked ziti for the first time. Is that low rent? No right.

Martha Stewart’s

Chicken in a can from Costco and Raman Noodles!

You wouldn’t notice it if you didn’t have to, but nearly all of these are sky high in sodium. I got put on a low-sodium diet earlier this year to treat vertigo / dizziness / inner ear hell, and I miss all these salty yummy comfort foods so much. Especially now in the cold of winter (I’m up north).

I used to love snacking on those french-fried onion crisps in a can. Just open the can, pour some onto the toaster oven tray, heat ‘em up and eat them. SO GOOD.

Corned beef hash from a can (with lots of hot sauce). Yum!

I've never had Spam in my life, but I'd like to try some fried.

Never had it either, but I've heard from others that it is delicious, especially fried. It's loaded with fat and salt, so it likely does taste very good.

[quote] I got put on a low-sodium diet earlier this year to treat vertigo / dizziness / inner ear hell

Can you tell me how that's supposed to work, R45?

Myother used to make Chili Mac, It was only later i realized she was basically making homemade hamburger helper!

Totally understand the salt restrictions for some. But some people, me included, aren't bothered my salt. Now sugar on the other hand is my kryptonite. I have to get my bloodwork done every 3 months and my sodium levels are checked but always right in the ideal zone. Love a salty snack every now and then.

Bury me in Rice A Roni !!

R51 Spanish style Rice-a-Roni is one of my favorite quick & easy meals when I just don't feel like going to a lot of trouble. But I tart it up. I add a can of drained green peas, some sliced mushrooms, chopped onions, a can of red kidney beans, and a can of crushed tomatoes. Sometimes I'll leave out the beans and put in shrimp. Makes a huge pot of food that tastes great.

Why do you even care if it’s low rent or not? If you enjoy it - eat it. Fuck whoever tries to put you down for it!!

Microwave a bowl of corned beef hash and mix onion powder and ketchup into it.

Butter on Ritz crackers

R39 it’s aborted pigs

There's some good frozen pizza out there, and I enjoy it often.

Chili mac- ground beef, packet of taco seasoning, macaroni then cheese melted/browned on top, she cooked every fucking day, this was easy slum food.

We are Chili Mac often when I was growing up. My dad called it goulash. He also called the meat in it (or anything remotely similar) frizzled beef.

"Chili Mac" and "Chili Mac"! What is "Chili Mac"?

Mmmm... chicken skin, it's delicious on crackers, I don't think about the ingredients.

R61, I’ve never had that, but the ingredient list doesn’t seem all that bad.

When I'm having money problems I'll eat tuna on saltine crackers, bananas, and cup ramen for days.

My partner makes it every so often - not sure what he does to it, but it's delicious.

Manwich

Grilled cheese (pepperjack) and a bowl of Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup

Frozen pizza, provided it’s not that Totino’s garbage.

These responses would make Thelma Harper shake her head in disgust.

Why I was a kid my mother would make a Hamburger Helper meal for dinner almost once a week because it was inexpensive and easy. And it's a lot healthier than a ramen noodle meal which is loaded in sodium and of little nutritious value.

Hobo cum.

Vienna sausages.

Chef Boyardee.

Pop-Tarts.

Banquet pot pies.

Red Baron singles deep-dish pepperoni pizza! Two per box and I eat both in one sitting. Salty and delicious.

Now that I'm thinking about this, I'll add it to my shopping list on my phone.

I almost bought a box of Cheeseburger Macaroni helper yesterday. It sounded so good. I imagined preparing it but using less ground beef so I can enjoy that rich savory sauce! I think I'll do it next weekend!

Here is the Queen in 2000 interviewing the late great Aaliyah. Ol country ass, I love her.

I don’t think she would be calling D’Angelo fine if she and Jay were serious but they hadn’t even met yet.

Wrong thread, Teacake.

We had spam deama in my neighborhood once when one neighbor walked into another neighbor's house and stole a whole case of spam from them as payment they felt they were owed for having had their sons shovel his sidewalk unsolicited and had previously demanded $200 for their effort.

Canned veggie soup with a bit of rice thrown in while it cooks - saffron if it's chicken and you have a little more $$.

Cheap, tasty, and filling.

Store brand everything, of course.

Polenta fries are a cheap staple. They can be dressed up in a southwest of Italian style easily. All you do is make polenta like you would eat it, using the instant kind, but instead place into a plan or something to mold it. Then when it cools and sets, cut into strips and air fry it. Make to add some salt while prepping. And it’s a cheap and gluten free base for many ideas.

Southwest or Italian* think with chili or pizza sauce

I've got to be honest: I've never eaten polenta. I like all kinds of cuisines, but cornmeal in a semi-solid form doesn't really appeal to me.

Am I missing out?

You had Chadburgerhelper for dinner?

Tuna Helper Tetrazzini is fantastic - I add chopped onions and pepper - and half a can of LeSueur Young Small Sweet Peas. The cheesy kind of tuna helper is also good.

My other faves include Hot Pockets, El Monterey Bean and Beef Burritos (and also their Enchiladas, which are to die for).

I don’t think youre missing out without polenta

Also, I live in a heavy-Mediterranean influenced area (wine country) here in the US

Polenta seems...blah.

The double cheeseburger Hamburger Helper is delicious. We're only going to eat it once a year, but let's all enjoy together now.

Isn't polenta just grits?

I've never had grits, and it doesn't appeal to me at all as a breakfast or dinner food.

And I'm a savory breakfast sort.

I just made vegetable soup. It’s stock, various winter vegetables, salt, pepper and some tomato product. (paste or juice or whatever you have)

According to an ex, it is “poor people food”.

I love vegetable soup.

Make it better by adding some sort of pasta or rice/grain to it.

Delicious with toast on a cold night.

Some of the Velveeta versions of hamburger helper are pretty good.

The people who are ragging on grits haven't had good grits (my grits). My go-to recipe for cheese grits: Start grits in salted cold water and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. I prefer yellow grits, like Uncle Bobs Mill . You need plenty of water. 5:1 is a good ratio to make sure that the grits cook thoroughly. In spite of the name, their mouth feel should be smooth, not gritty. Once the grits are boiling, they will thicken quickly. As they thicken, they will start to "spit" - throwing out hot bits of grits into the air, like the mud pots at Yellowstone. At that point, clamp down a tight fitting lid - turn the heat off if you are cooking with an electric element, leaving the pot on the stove, or, if using gas, turn to lowest setting and simmer for one minute more, then turn off heat. Let the grits set (4-5 minutes). Put in a lot of butter - at least half a cube. Stir in the butter well until melted. Then add about 6 oz of sharp cheddar grated cheese, and stir well again. Finally, add about 1/2 can to full can of Rotel tomatoes, and stir well. Cover and let sit for about 5 minutes.

Isn't a quesadilla (using corn tortillas) much easier? (less work, more tasty)?

Masa is corn that has been broken open by the use of lye, which adds a very strong flavor profile to corn tortillas. That flavor is not present in grits. Cooking grits is no more work than making a quesadilla. Put a pan of water on the stove, pour in grits, stir for a couple of minutes, cover, put butter, cheese and tomatoes in.

I love Kraft with a little bit of tillamook extra sharp cheddar added in.

No shrimp and grits, R94?

I first saw grits in the mess hall lo these many years ago, and they looked disgusting. More food that looks like it's already been eaten...and I've never been one for hot breakfast cereals.

But I was at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord back home in PA Dutch Country a while back, and strangely enough, they had shrimp and grits, so I thought I'd try it. It was yummy! and I was so shocked. I haven't had it since then, but I was curious if you made that as well.

Domino’s isn’t THE worst, R16!

yes, it is

Ramen Noodles. Oddly, because you'd think it would spike my blood sugar and it doesn'.t. Is it made of wood?

Child of a single parent here...

My favorite meal growing up was something my mother called "Chicken Far East." I didn't know until I was an adult that it was the meal we had when money was really, really low. Except for the celery, everything was shelf-stable, so she could stock up on it all when things were good, just in case.

Chicken Far East

Celery (chopped) 2 cans cream of chicken soup 2 cans of chicken breast 1 tbs. white vinegar Black pepper (to taste)

In a large frying pan, heat chopped celery in butter until soft

Add chicken. Break up into small pieces

Add soup

Add vinegar (may use more if wanted)

Heat through

Serve on chow mein noodles or toast

I add a lot more vinegar.

Nothing makes me happier on a cold Sunday afternoon.

American Chop Suey—before HH hit the market, my mom made the old Depression version: elbow macaroni stir fried into ground beef, tomatoes and bell peppers.

Also: Fried dough.

Fried Dough? Can you be more specific?

I like bananas.

I tried a version of American Chop Suey with paprika that people call “goulash.” I felt so tawdry.

r102 use premade dough, or make your own. Let it rise. Cut into sections, and deep fry. Serve with butter.

It’s Depression food—read The Grapes of Wrath.

Our mother took ‘’pop n fresh’’ biscuits-made 4 cuts almost to the center and fried in oil then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and called them ‘’Butterfly Donuts’’ thx mom.

Tater tots

[quote] Isn't a quesadilla (using corn tortillas) much easier? (less work, more tasty)?

Quesadillas are much better than polenta, IMO. However, totally different things.

IMO, quesadillas with flour tortillas are better than with corn tortillas.

Polenta and Cream of Wheat are a textural thing that I dislike.

Polenta comes in different forms.

It’s wonderful with mushrooms.

This thread is helpful. I’m tired of eating the same things everyday but don’t want to ‘’Slave over a hot stove’’ Recently discovered Trader Joe lasagna-it’s good!

Grits are superior in nutrition and taste to polenta, polenta is like wall paper paste, stupid italians got ricketts or something just eating pasty polenta for every meal, now stupid people pay a lot for it, eat the fucking grits.

R94, I use masa in a chili recipe I frequently use. It works as a thickener but adds a nice flavor as well. My recipe is a smaller version of Pioneer Woman,’s, that feeds 12 people or so.

Polenta is like white rice, it’s what you pair with it that makes it so tasty. I’ve used it with roast and gravy, with chili, or salmon on top.

I bought some Maseca flour, hoping it would have some great flavor. Meh.

Fried egg sandwich

[quote] I've never had Spam in my life, but I'd like to try some fried. Just never had the courage to buy some.

Spam can often be found in Okinawan food due to the influence of the US military stationed in Okinawa.

All over Hawaii

Marie Calendar chicken pot pies. Wolf's canned chili with onions, sour cream, cheddar cheese and fritos or corn tortilla strips. Corned beef hash roasted until top is crunchy, topped by a poached egg. Tuna noodle casserole from scratch. Organic green chili chicken burritos. Highly doctored stovetop stuffing.

This is a once-a-year thing and it's never as good as I imagine it to be.

[quote]Grits are superior in nutrition and taste to polenta, polenta is like wall paper paste, stupid italians got ricketts or something just eating pasty polenta for every meal, now stupid people pay a lot for it, eat the fucking grits.

You've never had polenta properly prepared. It is far superior to grits.

Anyone care for spotted dick?

It all sounds good to us!

Here is the Hamburger Helper website. What flavors would you like to try?

[quote] The Hamburger Helper mascot is "the Helping Hand" or "Lefty"—a four-fingered, left-hand white glove with a face on the palm and a red spherical nose. It often appears in the product's television commercials and on packages.[2][3][6]

Lefty looks like he knows how to use those big meaty fingers!

When I get lazy I put chicken breasts and salsa in a slow cooker and eat the resulting mess over Minute Rice for a few days.

A real slum food that is perfect for when you’re sick or broke, is Mac and cheese with tuna and mustard stirred in. Add some overcooked chopped broccoli if you’re feeling virtuous.

My grandma made her own version of spaghetti. Get a chopped onion frying in a pan or electric skillet, add in about 3/4 lb ground beef and let it brown. Drain grease. Then dump in two cans of Franco American spaghetti and chop it with the spatula while it’s warming up. Serve with white bread and butter. Voila. White trash southern spaghetti.

When I was a kid my after school snack was Ragu spread on white bread and baked in the oven until crispy.

I was this days old when I found out they make a few varieties of Tuna Helper

When I'm exhausted, I have hummus and pita. Or lox, cream cheese and bagels. Or my own frozen soups or Panera's broc and cheese or Ivar's cham chowder. Or a grilled cheese with homemade tomato soup. Or refrigerated pasta and a good jarred tomato sauce. Or coleslaw using the packaged mixes. Or chinese dumplings and egg drop soup. Or omelettes or eggs in a frame.

LaChoy makes Chinese food...swing....American!

You all really make it hard not to judge.

I think I've told you guys, before, what I ate when I lived in Japan:

1. Soft white bread, thick-cut

2. Pizza sauce that came in a tube

3. Pre-shredded mozzarella.

I put that in my fish cooker (a small broiler, drawer-sized).

Pretty good, actually.

Did you ever cook fish in the fish cooker?

No, I never did cook fish in there. I like fish, but usually eat it in restaurants (not at home).

I’m disappointed.

R126, when I am exhausted, I will have a bowl of cereal and call it a night, but that’s not the point of this thread.

[quote] Isn't polenta just grits?

Basically, yes. There are differences in the types of corn used. Polenta is made from yellow 'dent' corn, while grits are made from white 'flint' corn. The milling process can also be different. Grits are typically ground only once which gives them a courser texture, while Polenta is ground multiple times to provide a smoother texture. Also depending on the grinding process used grits may or may not have the husk and germ removed. Polenta usually includes the husk and germ.

Ramen. Delicious cheap and oh so spicy.

Ramen isn’t always spicy.

MY Ramen is extra spicy

R121, I make my own, using this recipe. I change it a bit, sometimes I make it spicier, sometimes I add peas.

[quote]Basically, yes. There are differences in the types of corn used. Polenta is made from yellow 'dent' corn, while grits are made from white 'flint' corn. The milling process can also be different. Grits are typically ground only once which gives them a courser texture, while Polenta is ground multiple times to provide a smoother texture. Also depending on the grinding process used grits may or may not have the husk and germ removed. Polenta usually includes the husk and germ.

Polenta is pure. It's just corn.

Grits is treated with lye.

No thanks.

I like frozen pizza, especially from Lidl

I think you have to treat corn with lye so that it releases enough Vitamin B3 to prevent pallagra which used to be a scourge in the South, and other poor places, because they ate cornmeal mush and molasses as their main staple, and they did treat the corn, the way Mexicans knew to do with their tortillas.

* they DIDN'T treat the corn...

Please add some whole kernel corn to it. Especially if it’s cheeseburger Mac

Dinty Moore Beef Stew over egg noodles. Add some flavor by adding a few shakes of Worcestershire sauce.

Have to admit some of those HH mixes sound good.

Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper, haven't had it in awhile but I like it once in awhile with canned corn on the side with lots of butter.

There are actually 5 kinds of grits. Whole grits are the grittiest and take the longest time to cook, because there are bits of hull ground in there and that can take up to an hour to cook. They are more perishable and should be kept in the freezer after being opened. Regular grits have the hull removed and sometimes the germ, and they cook more quickly (like 20 minutes). Quick grits are ground more finely and cook even more quickly (10 minutes). Instant grits are what you would find inside a packet from a quaker box. You just add boiling water and stir.

Hominy grits are prepared by soaking the corn in lye or some other alkaline product to dissolve the hull. Then the product is dried and ground like regular grits.

Most southerners eat white grits made from white corn. Italians eat yellow corn grits and call it polenta. As you can see on the picture of the package below - yellow corn grits also known as polenta.