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Wants to cook cheap, filling meals from beans, rice, masa and flour

Use when someone has (or wants to buy) dry beans, rice, masa harina or flour and wants simple, cheap meals that fill them up and last all week.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Start with what they have
  2. Make a big pot of beans (feeds you for days)
  3. Make a pot of rice
  4. Put it together
  5. Get the staples

1Start with what they have

You can ask"What food do you have now? Do you have a stove, a hot plate, a pot and a pan?"
You can ask"How many people are you feeding?"
You can say"Beans, rice, masa and flour are some of the cheapest foods you can buy. With a few extras they make good meals all week."

2Make a big pot of beans (feeds you for days)

Sort 1 pound (about 2 cups) of dry pinto beans. Pick out small rocks. Rinse.
Soak overnight in a big pot of water. Or boil 2 minutes, turn off, cover, and let sit 1 hour.
Drain. Cover with fresh water about 2 inches over the beans. Add onion and garlic if you have them.
Simmer with the lid partly on until soft. In Silver City (about 6,000 feet) this can take 2 to 3 hours or more. Add hot water so beans stay covered.
Add salt when they are soft. 1 pound dry makes about 6 cups cooked.

3Make a pot of rice

Use 1 cup rice and about 2 cups water, plus a little extra water at our altitude. Add a pinch of salt.
Bring to a boil, cover, turn to low, and cook about 20 to 25 minutes. Do not lift the lid. Let it sit 5 minutes.
1 cup dry rice makes about 3 cups cooked.

4Put it together

Beans with rice, corn tortillas or bread make a complete protein, like meat. They do not have to be in the same meal; eating them the same day works.
Easy meals: bean burritos, beans and rice with salsa, bean soup, fried rice with an egg, beans on tortillas with cheese.
Add any vegetable you can: onion, cabbage, canned tomatoes, green chile, carrots, squash.
For tortillas and biscuits, see the guide "Wants to make tortillas, bread or biscuits at home".
For more meal ideas, see the guide "Recipes with beans: refried, soups, burritos and more" and the guide "Recipes with rice and pasta".
Also see the guide "Recipes with masa and flour: tamales, gorditas, fry bread and more".

5Get the staples

At the Gospel MissionThe Mission food pantry and monthly food boxes may include beans, rice and flour. Ask at the front desk.
The Commons Center for Food Security & Sustainability
Grant County Community Food Pantry
575-388-2988
501 E 13th St (green building at the front), Silver City · Tue, Wed, Thu 11 am-3 pm; also 1st Saturday of the month 10 am-noon
Website ↗
To buy in bulk, see the guide "Wants to stock up on beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt and oil".
Want a free hands-on class? See the guide "Wants to learn to cook or eat healthier on a small budget".

More help like this

Hungry today and needs food for the monthUse when someone is hungry now and also needs enough food for the rest of the month.Has special diet needs (diabetes, allergies, no teeth)Use when someone needs food that fits a health need: diabetes, food allergies, kidney or heart problems, soft food for missing teeth, or special baby formula.Someone is asking for money at your doorUse when a stranger knocks at your home or business asking for money, gas, food or a ride, and you want to stay safe, spot scams, and point them to real help.All food pantries in Grant County: places, days, times and what to bringUse when someone wants a list of every food pantry and free food distribution in Grant County, with where and when they are, who qualifies and what to bring.Wants to stock up on beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt and oilUse when someone wants to buy basic staples (beans, rice, masa, flour, sugar, salt, oil) in bulk to save money and have food that lasts for months.Wants more fresh fruit and vegetables with SNAP (Double Up Food Bucks)Use when someone gets SNAP and wants more fresh fruit and vegetables. Double Up Food Bucks gives free extra money for New Mexico-grown produce at farmers markets.

See all guides in Food and basics →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.