Need help for science project about food

liveforfit

Hey everybody! So, I have a science project for school, and I'm going to be going to soup kitchens and making different meals (all high in nutrition value yet also affordable) and seeing which ones that they prefer, and then giving the data to the Soup Kitchen to help them know what to make. (It's not your typical "science project" it's a community non for profit science project.) I was just wondering if any of you have recipes that are nutritious, healthy, and also cheap. I have to be able to make it in big quantities (think around 150 people.) I need to have 5 meals to get an A, and I really don't know where to begin! Thank you in advance!

slimkitty

I cook at a soup kitchen once a month although we get about 20 people. The typical meal I make and they love is a meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans and a fresh tomato salad. I add spinach to the meatloaf, the green beans and tomatoes and potatoes grow in my garden so they are super fresh and delicous. I keep the skins on the potatoes for a little extra nutrition. I can't get too crazy with the food. The folks need something they are familiar with, so I figured this is a good comfort meal for them.

photo_kyla

For cheap and nutritious, beans and rice are time-tested ingredients. Beans are also a great, cheap source of protein. Soups are an easy way to stretch dollars when cooking in quantity. Pasta is also pretty cheap, although the whole wheat varieties do cost more and it can be hard to keep it from going gummy when you're keeping it warm on a steam table (for serving). Any time you add meat to anything, your costs are going to go up; but it might be worth it in small quantities for flavor as well as nutrition.

Something you might want to consider for a Soup Kitchen meal is the nutritional requirements of the people being served. They will probably need higher daily calories than most people on here because they aren't trying to lose weight, and if they are homeless they're trying to stay warm at night.

Good luck!

poustotah

Beef Vegetable Soup:

Ingredients:
1 can green beans, drained
1 can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn
1 can peas
1 can carrots
2 cans diced tomatoes
1/4 lb stew meat
1 tbsp garlic

Directions:
Dump everything in a crock pot or soup pot and add enough water to cover everything. If using a crock pot, cook on low for 6-8 hours. If using a soup pot, cook on med-high for 1-2 hours.

This recipe makes 12 servings. You can purchase bulk sizes of all ingredients that would make enough for 150 people. Great with sandwiches and on a cold day.