February 11, 2009 3:20 PM
- Text
Save Big On Groceries
(CBS)
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:
Buying produce that's in season now really does cut your grocery bill significantly.
Eating inexpensive veggies like potatoes and cabbage does not have to be boring!
It's OK to splurge on some nice ingredients if you can use them in several recipes. For instance, big hunk of hard cheese will keep for weeks and it goes a long way; you can use it for many recipes.
You can make inexpensive pantry items the star of your recipes.
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!
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!
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