Cooking Well on a Tight Budget

At Central Topeka Grocery Oasis (CTGO), our mission is simple but powerful: to restore access to fresh, affordable, and nourishing food for everyone in our community. When a neighborhood has lost its grocery store, the absence isn’t just about convenience, it’s about dignity, choice, and health.

That’s why we’re excited to share a resource that aligns perfectly with our values: Leanne Brown’s cookbook, Good and Cheap.

A Cookbook That’s Changing the Conversation

“Good and Cheap is a cookbook for people with very tight budgets, particularly those on SNAP/Food Stamps benefits.” — Leanne Brown

Leanne Brown’s Good and Cheap started as a graduate project and grew into a movement. The free PDF version (available in English and Spanish) has been downloaded more than 15 million times, proving that access to good food doesn’t have to depend on income.

Even more inspiring: for every printed copy sold, another is donated to someone who can’t afford it. That’s food justice in action and it mirrors CTGO’s own belief that everyone deserves access to good food, period.

Why Good and Cheap Matters

What makes Good and Cheap stand out is its combination of creativity and practicality. Brown shows how to turn simple, low-cost ingredients into flavorful, healthy meals, using everyday staples like rice, beans, eggs, and seasonal produce.

It’s not about cutting corners; it’s about expanding possibility. For anyone navigating a tight food budget, it offers real solutions, not judgment. That spirit of empowerment is exactly what we hope to bring to Central Topeka.

Featured Recipe: Vegetable Jambalaya

One of our favorite dishes from Good and Cheap is Vegetable Jambalaya — a colorful, comforting, one-pot meal that celebrates flavor, flexibility, and resourcefulness.

You can find the full recipe on Leanne Brown’s website here, but here’s a quick overview to get started:

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

• 3 stalks celery, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• ½ small green chile, chopped (optional)

• 2 large tomatoes, chopped

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce)

• ¾ cup long-grain rice

• 3 cups vegetable broth or water

Optional Add-ins: sausage, shrimp, beans, tofu, or leftover chicken — anything you have on hand!

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery until softened.

2. Add garlic, chile, tomatoes, bay leaves, and spices. Cook for a minute to release flavors.

3. Stir in the rice and pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover.

4. Simmer for about 20–25 minutes until the rice absorbs the liquid. Stir occasionally and add water if needed.

5. Fold in any optional ingredients and cook until heated through.

Tip: The leftovers make great burrito filling or can be served with a fried egg for a quick lunch the next day!

This recipe is a perfect example of how creativity in the kitchen can make healthy, affordable eating both joyful and satisfying.

A Shared Vision for Food Dignity

At CTGO, we believe that food can bring people together — not just around the table, but around shared purpose and care for our neighbors. Leanne Brown’s Good and Cheap reflects the same belief that drives our work: that good food should never be a luxury.

If you’d like to explore this beautiful and practical cookbook, you can:

• Download the free PDF (available in English and Spanish)

• Try the Vegetable Jambalaya recipe at home

• Share it with a friend or neighbor who could use some fresh meal inspiration

Together Toward a More Nourishing Topeka

Every time we share resources like Good and Cheap, we take another small step toward a more just and resilient food system — one that serves everyone.

To learn more about CTGO’s work and how you can get involved in building a full-service grocery store in Central Topeka, visit centraltopekagro.com.

Together, we can turn the simple act of cooking dinner into a movement for community health and food dignity.