My neighbor swore by using a single potato to stretch a soup for days
She said to boil one big russet, mash it into the broth, and it would thicken everything up and make it feel more filling. I tried it with a simple bean and veggie soup last week, and it honestly worked way better than I thought, adding maybe two extra meals from the same pot. Has anyone else tried this kind of trick with other cheap veggies?
Read about using a handful of red lentils for the same thing... they sort of melt into the soup and make it creamy without needing dairy. Works great with tomato soup or a simple veggie broth.
That potato trick is a lifesaver when the grocery budget gets tight. A bag of rice can do the same thing, just simmering a bit in the broth until it softens and swells up. It's amazing how a single cheap ingredient can turn a thin broth into a proper meal for the whole family. Those little bits of kitchen wisdom feel like quiet victories.