Cheap Food Recipes Food Cooking International Guide
Cheap Food Stretching Your Dollar Further
By Patrick D Kelly
Cheap food is available in many stores these days. When food
shopping, one does not need to buy the same brand of their favourite
food product every time. If the same food product is available
from another manufacturer but at a reduced price, then you should
try it out and take advantage of the lower price.
For example, you may like to buy your favourite cheese from the
same manufacturer, but there may be the same type of cheese from
a different manufacturer at an almost giveaway price. You should
try this out and see if the quality is the same as the cheese
you normally buy. If the quality and taste are similar, then you
saved yourself a few dollars.
If the same product is there, the next time you are at the store,
and it is still available at the reduced price, you should purchase
a number of them, so the food can last a long time. Although you
should take into consideration, the use by date on the label of
the food product.
Another tip, to help you stretch your dollar further you should
look to buying food in bulk. Some foods like rice and pasta can
last a long time. So, the next time you are food shopping, you
could look at buying in bulk and always be on the alert to take
advantage of reduced prices for cheap food.
Making Better Choices With Food
Today’s economy almost forces all of us into a miser’s mindset.
When it comes to food, you’ve got to make the most of every food
dollar spent. This doesn’t mean that you can’t also eat well!
What it does mean is that you’ve now got to keep a sharp eye on
your wallet and make prudent choices when planning your menus.
It is possible to stock up on cheap food that is transformed
into delicious meals, greeted with applause from your family members.
Let’s see how you can use a miserly approach, while maintaining
quality and a gourmet touch and attitude around the kitchen table.
Buying Rice In 10 or 20 Pound Bags
Rice and pasta are mainstays in kitchens around the world. Both
keep well and are relatively cheap foods that go a long way and
can be used imaginatively in dozens of dishes. Buy rice in ten
or twenty pound bags.
Wild rice is somewhat expensive, but a pound or two can be mixed
in with regular white or brown rice for a marvelous flavor addition.
While you’ll need to cook each type separately, you can cook in
quantity and freeze. When you’re ready to cook a meal, simply
mix a portion of each and heat in the microwave.
Pasta With Semolina Wheat
Look for the sales on pasta, preferably, those made of Semolina
wheat, for the most nutritive value. Store in sealed plastic containers
in a cool, dry location. Mediterranean cuisine relies heavily
on pasta and is a healthy, filling and nutritious base for countless
meals.
When you’re looking for cheap foods which you can transform into
gourmet meals, these two are indispensable pantry items. The great
thing about rice and pasta is that you need add only small bits
of meats and veggies for a terrific meal that fits your budget
and tastes sensational.
Meeting Your Daily Needs Of Protein
Did you know that just 20 grams of protein is all you need for
adequate nutrition? If you drink milk or have a bit of cheese,
you’ll be surprised at how easily you can meet this daily quota.
For example, a meal of fried rice, which includes a couple of
scrambled eggs and a few ounces of meat, poultry or shellfish
fulfills your daily requirement for protein. Buff it up with some
mushrooms, baby corn, water chestnuts and onions – green, yellow
or red – and you’ve got a delicious mix of taste and nutrition
which also satisfies your needs for protein. Add a sprinkling
of Chinese Five Spice for a fantastically fragrant meal that everyone
will enjoy.
Store Food In Sealed Plastic Containers
Dried beans and legumes are also cheap foods which can help stretch
your food budget to the max. Chili and soups can be served once
a week, with no complaints from the diner’s gallery. These dried
foods also keep well, when properly stored in sealed plastic containers,
in a cool, dry place.
Vegans are well aware that a pot of beans and cheese form a complete
protein, absent of meat, but with all the amino acids necessary
to supply the protein you need to stay healthy. Use bags of dried
soup legume mixes to make delicious soups. With a few chicken
bouillon cubes and a few chicken leg quarters or a half pound
of shrimp, you can feed a family of six. Cheap food is not a bad
thing!
Increasing The Flavor With Seasonings
Seasonings are key to the successful cheap food dish that tastes
absolutely delightful! Go to the library, or get on the net to
find those seasoning matches made in heaven. The right seasoning
can make the difference between obviously cheap food and a gourmet
meal that will have your diners begging for seconds!
Here are some more cheap food ideas that will please your wallet
and taste buds. With any rice or pasta based dish, think sauces!
A simple butter and flour roux can be made into a delightful sauce
with the addition of milk, broth and perhaps a bit of cheese.
Matching Your Foods
Chicken and Parmesan pair perfectly, as does shrimp and cream
cheese. Season your chicken with parsley, minced garlic and rosemary.
Shrimp and tarragon are marvelous together. Toss your pasta or
rice, sauce, meat and a few brightly colored veggies and you’ve
got a meal made of cheap food and a heavenly taste!
Cheap food is the way to go these days, but that doesn’t mean
your dishes can’t be treats your family will love. Enjoy the good
life on a shoestring!
Be On The Alert For Short Term Discount Prices
When you are shopping, always be on the alert for special discounts
to find the best prices. Many food stores have a one day, or weekend
sales. Quite often, there are catalogues delivered to your door
detailing all the special prices. If you want to stretch your
dollar further, then you should take advantage of these special
offers.
In many food stores, there are now plain wrap food products,
which are sometimes the same products you normally buy, but without
all the graphics on the label and often made by the same manufacturer.
You should try out these plain wrap products and see if they meet
your requirements.
Buying Plain Wrapped Flour
For example, I often see plain wrapped flour, placed next to
the normal flour I usually buy. I now buy the plain wrapped flour
as I was not able to detect any difference in quality to the normal
flour. I can still see all the nutritional information, I normally
see on normal food products, but without all the fancy graphics.
Being on the lookout for discount prices, does not mean you will
lose on quality when buying cheap food.
About the Author:
Patrick D Kelly has written a number of articles on food and cooking
including Groceries
Online, Irish
Recipes, Crock
Pot Soup,
Vegetarian Crock Pot,
Wood Bread Box,
Bread Baskets,
Can Opener,
Black and Decker Coffee,
Fruit Juice,
Sabatier Knives,
Kitchen Equipment.
Keep a lookout for more articles on this website.
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