Cooking Frugally « Frugal Recipes

Brightest Blessings,

I am trying to tweak recipes and come up with new ones in order to make them more affordable. I will not have nearly enough money for food this winter, even with the foodstamps, I need to change aour eating habits. I am also trying to eat healthier, as I am losing weight. 41 pounds so far. This means that a few of my ingredients are a bit more expensive than what you may use. For example: * We are trying to incorporate wheat products whenever possible. * We use a minimal amount of EVOO when we cook, instead of butter. * We do not use shortening, unless it is absolutely necessary. We use butter instead. * We use Canola oil when baking, instead of vegetable oil. * Except for in baking, we use Country Crock. Tweak these recipes as you need to for the most savings. Warmest Wishes, Shannon
Bulk Purchases

I purchase these items in bulk or in larger sizes because in the long run they are cheaper this way. I need to save money wherever possible. * Pickles in gallon jars * Peanut butter * Powedered milk * Cheese * Spices that I use often * Extracts that I use often * Family packs of meat when cheaper
Freezing Necessities

I freeze leftovers, and I repackage meats to freeze. I repackage meats according to whom I will be feeding at each meal. For instance, the other day, I repackeged ground beef, chicken and pork into 1/2 lb, 3/4 lb, and 1 lb packages. This was done for (1/2) when me and the girls are alone, (3/4) for when one nephew is here, and (1) for when two nephews are here. This works nicely for us. ---- Here are my main freezing needs: * Plastic wrap * Quart size freezer bags * Gallon size freezer bags * Freezer paper * Permanent marker * Masking tape * Sticker labels, or I write on pices of masking tape
Cheaper Prices

Our stores have carts and shelves filled with foods that they want to get rid of. I do not always purchase from this, but I have been able to find some good buys here.*** If you will be eating the fresh fruits or vegetables by the next day, these would be fine. *** I also purchase fruits for breads here. I bake the breads the day I purchase the fruits, then I freeze the loaves. *** I have purchased individual bottled drinks at 4/$1.00. I do not purchase these often, but my girls love the treat. *** I purchased packages of cheese singles at 4/$1.00 as well. I throw them in the freezer until we need a new package opened. *** If you purchase rolls from these carts, you can throw them in the freezer as well. When you want them for a meal or a snack, just nuke them and add butter. *** I have also purchased small packages of sandwich meat this way, frozen them, and taken them out of the freezer the night before we needed them.
Spices

I dedicate a drawer in the refrigerator for the herbs and spices. They stay fresher this way. I also buy large containers of the herbs and spices that I use the most. You can find a lot of these at $2.50 or less. *** If I will not be using something a lot, as small container will suffice. Or, if a larger container is cheaper, I purchase it and use it in homemade pot pourri.
Frozen Soup/Stew Starter Bags

Our freezer currently holds a freezer bag with odds and ends of uncooked beef. I will also have one for cooked meats, one for vegetables, and one for broths. These will make a nice soup when we are low on food.
Flour

Even though it is not cheaper to use whole wheat flour, I use it as much as I can. It is actually good. I try to do at least 1/4 wheat flour in a recipe, but prefer 1/2 or more. The recipes still taste great, and they are healthier and are aiding in my weightloss.
Freezing

I also freeze these in their original packages: * Pepperoni * Boxed butter * Cheeses
Keep on Hand

* A shaker of a cinnamon sugar mixture for french toast and other recipes. * Breadcrumbs and croutons - can be homemade. * Homemade mix for various recipes. * Homemade shake 'n' bake.

Cooking Frugally

Saturday, September 15, 2007 — slb725writer

Hello. My name is Shannon, and I am a single mother homeschooling my children in a small town in Maine.

Things are going to be too tight for us here this winter, so we need to have very frugal recipes. I will be recording them here in an effort to share them with others who may need ideas.

I will be posting these recipes as I come up with them. I am tweaking them for healthiness when I can afford to. There may be a cheaper alternative for you, like using all white flour rather than wheat, so feel free to tweak these as you desire.

Warmest Wishes,

Shannon

Frugal Recipes

Brightest Blessings,

Bulk Purchases

Freezing Necessities

Cheaper Prices

Spices

Frozen Soup/Stew Starter Bags

Flour

Freezing

Keep on Hand

Cooking Frugally

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