Save Big On Groceries
Food prices are going up, but there are ways you can cut your grocery bill.
And you don't have to buy in bulk or shop at one of those discount super stores to do it!
On The Early Show Friday, Dede Wilson, a Bon Appetit magazine contributing editor, let viewers in on some of the things to do.
It was part of our ongoing series, "Recession-Proofing Your Life."
Wilson says saving money doesn't mean you have to settle for boring meals -- you can still turn out delicious ones!
She points out that:
Wilson's first tip is to buy seasonally. Become familiar with what fruits and vegetables from local growers become available, when. Not only will those items cost less than their out-of-season neighbors in the produce aisle, they'll taste better. Also, note that importance of buying LOCALLY: Asparagus is a great example this time of year. Local asparagus is just starting to appear in many markets. It'll be cheaper than the asparagus imported from Chile or Argentina.
Yes, you've probably heard some of this before, but you may not realize just how much it can truly affect your pocketbook.
Take a look at this example:
Tomato and Basil Salad (tomatoes and basil in simple oil/vinegar dressing)
$6.42
as compare to:
Asparagus Salad (steamed, chilled asparagus in simple oil/vinegar/dijon dressing)
$2.89
Of course, there are some veggies that are affordable year-round: onions, potatoes, carrots, celery and cabbage.
Wilson has advice on pinching even more pennies on some of them:
MONEY SAVING TIP -- Carrots: Of course, you want to go for the fresh carrots, but don't forget you're probably paying by the pound, so instead of going for the ones with the beautiful green topping that's weighty, go for ones that have the tops already cut off!
MONEY SAVING TIP -- Celery: Typically, you'll find large celery stalks with many outer ribs attached that you end up discarding, plus the fronds on top, which also go into the trash. Look for celery hearts, which are the tender inners of the celery. That's what you really are looking for, and it's pennies cheaper.
MONEY SAVING TIP -- Potatoes: If you can buy a large amount of potatoes in a bag (often it's a five-pound bag), do it. You'll always pay less, and potatoes keep for months if stored in a cool, dark place.
Now, don't go turning up your nose at these basic veggies: Cooking with them does NOT have to be boring!
To make this point, Wilson pointed to a beautiful Sicilian-Style potato gratin.
Here's what was in it:
Potatoes: .89
Garlic: .48
Onion: .59
Chicken Broth: $1.09
Capers: $2.49
Pecorino Romano Cheese: $6
Total Cost: $11.54
You may be looking at the total cost for this dish, which serves six, and thinking, "That's actually not very inexpensive, especially as a side dish." Ah-ha! Glad you brought that up!
That brings us to Wilson's next point: A saavy shopper knows it's OK to go ahead and buy some items that seem, initially, expensive. A nice block of cheese is a great example of this. Although you had to shell out $6 up front, you only used a small, small fraction of the block.
MONEY SAVING TIP: Average the initial cost of $6 over the number of times you'll use the cheese, and you'll see you're only paying pennies for the powerful flavor it adds to your dinner. And yes, hard cheeses such as Pecorino will keep for several weeks in the fridge.
That same reasoning goes for capers, which will keep for months in the fridge.
Another MONEY SAVING TIP to keep in mind: It's always cheaper to buy a piece of cheese and grate it yourself, rather than buying already-grated cheese.
Considered in that light, a hunk of hard cheese and a jar of capers are now a part of your pantry. Of course, there are some very basic pantry items the cost-conscious shopper will also have on hand. The key is not only stocking your shelves with these items, but knowing how to take full advantage of them.
For instance:
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: So many people think simple salt and pepper are throw-away condiments, but they add a real dimension and flavor, for fractions of pennies, if you buy the Kosher, or coarse, salt, and the black peppercorns, and grind both fresh onto your food. Plus, with the coarse salt, you'll find yourself using less of it, since it's so visible.
Canned Beans and Tomatoes: These items are often relegated to supporting roles in dishes. Put them in the starring role, and you've just created a very affordable meal! Wilson had an example of putting both canned beans and tomatoes in the starring role: a soup in which the main ingredient was canned tomatoes, and a salad whose main ingredient was white beans.
MONEY SAVING TIP: You'll notice that everything shown was homemade, and from very simple ingredients. If you truly want to save at the store, stay away from processed foods.
MONEY SAVING TIP: Shop the perimeter of the store, where items such as milk, bread, meats, fresh fruits and vegetables are typically placed. Pricier, processed foods are in the interior aisles.
MONEY SAVING TIP: When buying pantry items, don't be afraid to try the generic brands or your favorite store's own brand. Often, you're just paying more for fancy packaging on the name-brand items.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER: Of course, the ideal "recession-proof" meal combines all the elements Wilson spoke about: seasonal, local produce and inexpensive pantry items.
Wilaon had a dish on the show's set illustrating that: Cabbage and White Bean Soup with Sausage. Yum!
MONEY SAVING TIP: One more: Wilson used chicken apple sausage in the soup. Chicken and turkey are usually cheaper than red meat, and better for you, to boot!