Hamburger Porridge

This was a war recipe given to me by my mom. She and her brother used to fall in line as the soldiers marched through town. They sang this stepping song. " I had a good home but I left right left right left right " and so on. This stretches meat a long way.

It is good today as it decreases the amounts of meat eaten. Our family loves it and calls it hamburger porridge.

Hamburger Gravy- Serve on toast, rice, egg noodles, pasta or mashed potatoes.

• 1 lb. ground beef

• 1 onion, diced

• 1-2 Tbsp. beef bouillon powder

• 1 cup quick oats [not instant]

• 1 cup water

• frozen peas or mixed vegetables, optional

Directions

Brown beef and onion until no pink remains, breaking up lumps.Stir in powder and oats.Add enough water to make a thick gravy.Stir until oats are cooked, adding more water as necessary. Adjust flavour with bouillon powder. Serves many.

To increase volume, add more oats, powder and water. Stir in frozen vegetables to just heat through.

I have adapted it to more flavours.

For Mexican: add chili powder, ground cumin, corn, black beans and cilantro garnish.

For Italian: add Italian herb blend, Tomatoes and parsley garnish.

For Indian: add curry powder, tomatoes, coconut milk and cilantro garnish.

These all freeze well and reheat in microwave for quick meals.

~ Sandy Metzler