Budget Cooking [2021]

 Use Meal Planning To Make Delicious And Frugal Meals On A Budget!

How To Cut The Cost Of Feeding Your Family In Half And Still Eat Good...

Plan Ahead Meals To Save Money-

All of us are out to save a buck and when we are told we could do it....

Save a few hundred bucks in a month’s time…Wow !!

Remember,

These suggestions are for those who are on a budget and trying to be frugal in their shopping practices.

There is one thing we can be sure of, one good savings tip and then another will soon add up to big food budget savings.

The importance of meal planning and a good recipe file can not be understated!

A good recipe file helps us to know exactly which ingredients will be required for the meal.

By planning meals and meal preparation, time and money are saved every time! Even more savings come from kitchen organization. Shortcomings in nutrition can be eliminated by careful meal planning of valuable food resources.

That is very important.

After several years of practicing "shop to save money", I can truly claim victory. I produced healthy meals that are delicious and packed with nutrition. I can honestly say that meal planning and organized meal preparation are two ways to stay on track for healthful living.

Save Big With Meal Planning And Preparation

Here are a few helpful suggestions for shopping and storage.

Try a few of these basic suggestions to get started saving with your food budget or saving even more if you are started already…..

• Buy “store brand” name whenever possible.

• Buy as little “prepared” foods as possible.

• Keep stock of these low-cost and high nutritional value foods: Pasta, dried beans and rice, nuts, and dried fruits.

• Set some time aside for bulk meal preparation that can be frozen for later use when time is more critical.

Save Time With Meal Preparation In Advance.

How you prepare your food stocks will also contribute to your monthly food expense since your cooking costs you time and that is part of your food bill. 

Some suggestions here might not be so obvious, such as using your microwave, Toaster oven, or slow cooker. Assuming you have one, use your microwave instead of your stovetop or oven, be it gas or electric if you are not cooking in bulk or make ahead meals.

Most people do not realize that stovetop cooking can be 3 or more times more expensive than using your microwave. Also, the specific savings may depend on the make and model of the electric or gas stove you use and the size of the microwave. In most cases, the savings from switching is also in the time of preparing your meals for table serving.   The microwave will be a  very noticeable work saver when you can heat entrees in their serving trays or bowls. Also when there's only one or two for dinner, heat "1 or 2" plates of food using portioned food that was previously prepared. Be sure and try to use only "high efficiency" appliances. Try to look for more ways to cut out the extra steps needed to get the food from the kitchen to the table. Use microwave safe cooking dishes or serve from the crock pot. It really makes a difference when you are trying to time. Time saved is money

Save big and save more with;

*meal planning

*meal preparation that is organized

*shop for savings

*keep the basics on the shelf

*prepare all or part of meals in advance

Save on energy costs and work time in the kitchen by using the right appliances and tools for your planned meal preparation.

Make a great family meal packed with nutrition. Make a cost saving meal too!

Combination Stovetop, Microwave cooking… Save half your kitchen work time.

Here is how to enjoy Oriental Rice at less than 25% the cost of your favorite restaurant.

Use prepared rice from the refrigerator or freezer or use your favorite brand of instant rice for this recipe. It's a great time saver to help you get through the middle of the week.

Place 4 cups of Instant white rice in a 4-quart pyrex container.

Add 4 cups water (3 3/4 cup for slightly firmer rice)

With Microwave set on High, set timer to 4 minutes (just to boiling)

Start Microwave and run for the first 4-5 minutes uncovered. Stir once.

Place cover over container and run for the 1-2 remaining minutes. Test for doneness.

When cooked, Stir and fold rice gently to aerate.

Note:  Your water must be boiling hot for your rice to absorb the water completely. Also, cover your rice while it's waiting to be served, it will stay warmer like that. Depending on the size and power of your microwave, times will vary. Don't let your food boil over the edge on your "Microwave Safe Cooking Container". Only use dishes specifically designed for microwave use. They are safer and more durable!

Flavor Seasoning A Plain Rice 

To cooked rice, add:

Add 1 Tbls. Soy sauce, 1 Tsp. Garlic powder and 1 Tsp. Sesame seed oil

In large frying pan or Wok:

Stir fry

1 medium Green Pepper(chopped course)

1 medium Onion(chopped course)

1 8-oz. can, or 8 oz. fresh sliced Mushrooms

1 8-oz. pack bean sprouts

1 Tbls. Peanut oil

Those with preference can stir fry shrimp, cubed pork, or chicken in 8-oz helpings and add to above. Tofu cubes are great, use firm tofu.

Cook until tender crisp. 

Add to rice preparation and fold well.

Add more Soy sauce and Sesame seed oil as needed.

The recipe above can use spaghetti in place of rice for an oriental Lomane touch and sprinkling finished platter with chopped scallions in an amount to your likings.

Using this simple approach with a family of five and improving on it daily could put $300-$400 extra back into your budget every month.

#GoodFoodWeightLoss #HealthyLifestyle  #MealPlan