Slow Food USA wants to take back the "value meal."  The organization is inviting everyone to get together with “family, friends and neighbors for a slow food meal that costs no more than $5 per person.”

 

Slow Food believes that home-cooked food shouldn’t have to cost more than fast food. The $5 that a person spends on a value meal at a burger joint can be used to purchase ingredients for a nutritious meal — it just takes a little planning and time in the kitchen.

 

To help everyone rise to the challenge, Slow Food has ideas for $5 meals on its website.

 

Here on MNN, we have many recipes that can help you with your $5 challenge. Here are a few entrees that should cost around $10 for four servings if your pantry is well-stocked (meaning you won’t have to purchase pantry staples like olive oil, salt or spices). You’ll have an additional $10 to put toward side dishes if you're feeding four.