Fun and Frugal: Hoo Hash

Warning: this dish is not pretty.

I mean, how can any dish called "hash" look pleasing to the eye?

But, believe me, it's pleasing to your palate...and your pocket book...and your desire to eat low-calorie/low-carb meals after the holidays.

Every year about this time, I go on a quest to feed my family lower calorie, tasty meals that won't break the budget. "Hoo Hash" is the first new attempt for this year.

First requirement: low cost.

These ingredients are about as simple and inexpensive as you can get.

5 medium potatoes (I used Yukon Gold)
8 eggs
1/3 cup minced onion
1 1/2 cups protein (I used leftover ham from Christmas, but you can use bacon, sausage...even (gasp) tofu!) (or leave the protein out altogether - the eggs provide enough).
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon thyme
2 Tablespoons olive oil

Other optional additions include leftover veggies (I added green pepper), cheese and salsa.

Second requirement: tasty, even for my picky family

It's all in the preparation.

Bake your potatoes in the oven or microwave ahead of time, and then let them cool enough so you can handle them.

I didn't peel the Yukon Gold potatoes, but if you use russets,
you probably want to.

Dice them into chunks.

Cook the onion in 1 Tablespoon olive oil until it's translucent (I love that word), then add the second Tablespoon of olive oil and the potatoes. Cook until they start turning brown.

Add any other veggies you want and the meat (or tofu), and stir until it's heated through and well mixed.

I used my big cast iron skillet for this, but the next time I'm going to use the griddle. I think it will be easier to brown the potatoes.

Potatoes and veggies before adding the eggs.

Beat the eggs in a separate bowl, and then add the salt, pepper and thyme.

Pour the eggs over your potato mixture and either cook and stir like scrambled eggs or let it sit, covered, on low heat until the eggs are cooked through - kind of like a frittata.

Serve it with shredded cheese and salsa, and with a side of fruit. For your carb-hungry children, you can add breadsticks, too.

The recipe makes five servings - to make more servings, just add another potato and a couple eggs per person.

I forgot to take a picture until my son was on his second helping!

Like I said, it isn't pretty, but it does satisfy.

And that brings me to my third requirement: this easy, frugal dish is only 430 calories per serving.

Add some fruit and you have a meal for under 600 calories.

What a deal :)