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.
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.
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. 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.
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!
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. 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!
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