Foods that abound in protein—meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and cheese—make
satisfying main dishes. Thrifty main dishes often combine these
protein-rich foods with vegetables and cereals—beef stew with
vegetables or dumplings, chicken with rice, fish with stuffing, cheese
with macaroni.
Dry beans and peas are also economical choices for main dishes.
If the main dish is not high in protein, you can supply additional
protein with other foods in the meal. If, for example, a pound of
meat is to serve eight persons, you might combine it with vegetables
or cereal in a casserole or stew, have milk to drink, and serve
cheese-topped apple pie for dessert.