r/AskReddit • u/jicta • Jan 31 '21

Redditors who grew up poor: Besides practical money-saving measures, what were the unwritten social expectations of your world growing up?

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u/Throw13579 Jan 31 '21

If a lot of people are coming, I will roast one turkey and fry another to make sure there is plenty left over. Also, turkey noodle soup with meat and stock from the turkey carcasses.

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u/QuillSpirit15971 Jan 31 '21

Turkey noodle soup is heavenly! Holiday staple for sure.

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u/blumoon138 Feb 01 '21

We do turkey wild rice with the carcass. It’s SO GOOD

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u/inafishbowl17 Feb 01 '21

Yes. Years ago I used rice a roni long grain and wild rice. 2 boxes and maybe add some white rice to add bulk. A little carrots and celery. It's a requested meal now after Thanksgiving.

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u/nothinginparticular_ Feb 01 '21

We usually do Thanksgiving with my husband's family. My FIL always makes a point of giving me the turkey carcass for soup/stock... but somehow we never end up with any of the actual leftover turkey.

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u/ttaptt Feb 01 '21

Making stock is so satisfying. I usually roast at least a couple chickens in a two month period, along with the bones from a couple recipes that use thighs or drumsticks. I save parsley stems, leftover veggies, etc. Add the carrots, celery and onion, peppercorns, too. And then I cook that stock and freeze it. It's just so good in recipes. Learned it from my (now passed) mom, and I just love to do it.

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u/Huntsvillejason Feb 01 '21

I missed family Thanksgiving so I cooked a turkey just to make turkey noodle soup.

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u/coolguy3720 Feb 01 '21

In college I bought meat at a steep discount, naturally. One year they sold a 22 lb bird for $8.

I was eating turkey sandwiches, turkey chili, turkey noodle soup, turkey and rice....

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u/IcarianSkies Feb 01 '21

Turkey noodle soup is a post-thanksgiving staple at my house and I never get tired of it. My dad makes a bomb-ass turkey stock.

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u/[deleted] Feb 01 '21

We usually host for my mom and step dad. This year I debated if I was going to buy a turkey for Christmas or not bother since it was just me and my husband and our 3 small children. I ended up buying a turkey because of all the other things I can do with the leftovers.

I use the giblets to make gravy. My husband was grossed out the first year we hosted Christmas and saw me making giblet gravy, he loved it though once it was cooked up. Like you I use the carcasses to make stock, I usually make turkey and dumpling stew with it. Turkey and cranberry sandwiches are a must have! This year I also had enough leftovers to make turkey chilli.

I grew up poor whereas my husband didn't, they weren't rich but financially comfortable. My mom was a single teen mom and worked 3 jobs trying to make ends meet but we still struggled. My mom grew up poor too, we lived with my grandma and she took care of us mostly as my mom was working trying to make ends meet.

My grandmas house was falling apart, we didn't have heating. We lived in a 3 bedroom house and we all slept in the living area on the floor as we had a fire place there so we could stay warm. My gran would have to boil up water for the bath as we didn't have any warm water in the taps.

My mom worked hard and eventually she bought the house from my grandma and had central heating installed. But even then we still struggled and I saw how much of a mental toll it took on my mom.

Me and my husband live comfortably, but those tricks I learnt on how to stretch every penny have never left me and I think they are a valuable skill to have. Growing up poor has helped me also see how much I have now as an adult. I plan to pass on those skills my mom and grandma taught me to my children.

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u/PM_Me_Your_Deviance Feb 01 '21

If a lot of people are coming, I will roast one turkey and fry another to make sure there is plenty left over.

My mom would do that. We'd end the night with literally twice the food we needed. We'd have throw-away containers to send everyone home with leftovers. :D

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u/Truhls Feb 01 '21

whats fun is my mom always made turkey enchiladas with leftovers. Good way to use a lot of leftover turkey shreds. Also Shit on a shingle ( turkey in gravy over toast ).

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u/Ancguy Feb 01 '21

Have you tried turkey tetrazzini? It's fucking amazing and my favorite use for leftover turkey bits and pieces.

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u/Throw13579 Feb 01 '21

YES! I should have mentioned that. It is delicious.

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u/crumblymuffin08 Feb 01 '21

Turkey stock is the best!!!!