Every home cook would like to save money on supermarket bills and still be able to serve delicious food. Here are some ways to create filling and yummy food at a very reasonable cost.
Don’t throw it away immediately
Go online to find out what you can do with things you’d normally throw away. Overripe bananas or fruits can be turned into a smoothie. Chicken bones from a roast chicken, or stems from basil and parsley, are excellent for making stock. Turn stale bread into bread crumbs.
Even leftover food can be reinvented. Shred chicken from last night’s roast and make into a chicken sandwich. Chop up the leftover pork chop and throw into fried rice.
Look into meat alternatives
Tofu and beans provide lots of protein and are a lot cheaper than meat. Include a few dishes of these cheap, healthy ingredients in each week to shave off from your total food bill.
Don’t buy prime cuts
Prime cuts of meat are more tender, but even tough and cheaper cuts can be used if you just stew, roast, or marinate them. Invest in a slow cooker so that even pork shoulder and beef chuck become fork-tender. Meat tenderizers (both artificial and natural, like pineapple juice and beer) can be quite effective too.
Make a hearty soup
Soup is filling and nutritious, and can be a great way to reinvent leftover vegetables or shredded meat. Add budget-saving beans or pasta.
Make a hearty salad
Even the humble salad becomes a one-dish meal if you add cold chicken, ham, tuna chunks, and shrimp. A sprinkling of nuts or a handful of croutons add crunch and flavor.
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