I grew up very poor.

1. Potato and Onion Soup

When the fridge looked empty, there were always a few potatoes and an onion or two. My mother would slice them thin, sauté them in a bit of oil until the air smelled sweet and earthy, then simmer everything in salted water. Sometimes she’d add a splash of milk if we had it, or a cube of bouillon from the corner store. It was simple, but it filled us up and warmed our hands on cold nights.

2. Fried Bread (Poor Man’s Pancakes)

We couldn’t always afford store-bought bread, but when we had flour, water, and oil, we had fried bread. A quick dough pressed flat and fried until golden — crispy on the outside, chewy inside. We’d dust it with sugar if we were lucky, or eat it plain with a drizzle of syrup or jam saved from a holiday.

3. Rice and Beans

This was the backbone of our table. Rice stretched everything further, and beans brought protein when meat was out of reach. My grandmother taught me to add a little onion, garlic, and whatever spices we could find — chili flakes, cumin, even just salt and pepper — to turn it into something comforting and complete.