As part of Econofest, I am going to analyze news stories and offer solutions in the form of recipes, shopping strategies, and other thrifty household tips.  

Back in September, when the stock market fell 700+ points in a few brief hours, the only stock on the S&P 500 that didn’t fall was Campbell’s (see WalletPop for details).

If you are pinching pennies to make it through the economic crisis, Campbell’s is ready to provide some soothing comfort on a cold day. Kool-Aid, Kraft Dinner, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and Campbell’s Soup all made the list of “must haves” to help stretch food dollars.

Campbell’s Soup is also generous enough to post hundreds of recipes online along with Swanson Broth and other brand products. Check out Campbell’s Kitchen for quick and easy meal ideas. Most just require a few pantry staples and a can of Campbell’s soup!

My favorite “quick fix” from Campbell’s is an easy Alfredo-style sauce for pasta:

Campbell’s Easy Alfredo Sauce

1 can condensed Cream of Mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and warm gently over low heat. Do not boil. Can be made with low-sodium soup or try Cream of Mushroom with Roasted Garlic. Cream of Mushroom and Chicken will also make a great tasting sauce. Spoon sauce over pasta for a quick and easy bowl of comfort food.

Another great recipe from the Jenn archives using condensed soup:

Creamy Cheese & Rice

2 cups cooked rice
1 cup milk
1 can condensed broccoli cheese soup
1/2 cup shredded cheese, plus more to top
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp paprika
fresh ground black pepper

Prepare rice according to package directions. Combine cooked rice, milk, soup, cheese, onion salt and paprika in a saucepan. Stir well. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until cheese has melted and mixture reaches desired consistency. Top with fresh ground black pepper and additional shredded or crumbled cheddar cheese.

Midnight Snacks: 150 Easy and Enticing Alternatives to Standing by the Freezer Eating Ice Cream from the Carton

Midnight Snacks: 150 Easy and Enticing Alternatives to Standing by the Freezer Eating Ice Cream from the Carton By Michael J. Rosen and Sharon Reiss. This cookbook is a little bit unconventional, but is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the kitchen. Though this is meant as “an irresistible handbook for every fridge-raider, insomniac, night owl, and late-night muncher,” I’ve adapted many of the recipes into breakfast treats to accommodate my early-to-rise mornings.

This book is divided into several cleverly-titled sections, divided by the time of night, with some expected recipes and a few surprises. Included are recipes for when you are too sick and stuffy to sleep, when it’s too hot to get comfortable, or when you want to pamper yourself with late night facials and a soak in the bathtub. There are even recipes for homemade dog and cat treats!

The authors write with tongue-in-cheek humor, from the recipe titles to the instructions. If nothing else, the quirky style will give you a laugh in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning. Many of the recipes are designed for one or two, though there are several suitable for an all-night party or study session with friends.

From decadent and indulgent to healthy and light, Midnight Snacks is sure to have a recipe for any late-night situation. Many of these recipes are great early-morning and sleeping-in weekend fare, or for those lounge-in-pajamas days, or when you just need a quick yet satisfying snack.

As I’ve already stated, this entire stock market/economic situation is becoming little more than a combination of fear mongering and unnecessary panic fueled by the media and political pundits. But even if we ignore the outrageous “news” coverage reporting the inevitable collapse of the worldwide economic system, it doesn’t mean we are not in crisis that will put a crunch on household budgets. Rising prices on everyday commodities like food and gas has put a strain on practically everyone, with little glimmer of relief in sight.

Above: Feeling like Mother Hubbard? Let me help you keep your cupboards from going bare.

Rather than succumb to the mass hysteria, I propose a little perspective and preparation to survive in this purported economic meltdown. Is now a good time to stock up on canned goods? Absolutely. Should you start hording cases of bottled water, dried beans, and toilet paper in your basement? Probably not.

During my Veganomics project, I shared some money-saving strategies to cut down the cost of food. Now, I am going to revisit and revamp some of those techniques, along with sharing some new information I have dug up from across the online universe. I will also be providing updates on the market situation as it relates to food preparation and grocery shopping, as well as highlighting interesting commentary and articles available on the subject.

This new project, dubbed Econofest, will be a combination of news and notes along with simple recipes and food ideas. My hope is to lend some stability to this crazy world and avoid turning my kitchen into a vast wasteland. So please, join me on this journey as I scour the Internet for the best advice, tips, and tricks for surviving in this supposed economic meltdown.

Above: It isn’t all coming up roses, but it isn’t all bad either.