For me meat seems to get more and more expensive, so here are some of the things that I do.
Pork, I like boneless pork loin chops but they can be as much as $5.50 a pound in the grocery store. It seems that many stores in my area sell the 1/2 pork loin (not tenderloin) in a cryovac package, a while back Kroger had them for $1.88 per pound, these are usually well trimmed and there is virtually no waste. I just do the slicing myself and save over $3 a pound, I slice some for chops and some for thick stuffed chops, and if there are any end pieces that don't make good chops, I cut it in small pieces to use in a stir fry. I usually buy a few of these and cut them up for the freezer.
It seems that someone here always has name brand boneless skinless chicken on sale for less than $2 a pound, I stock up and freeze it.
For side dishes I usually don't buy any mixes, I try to keep the basics around, for instance rice is dirt cheap but if you buy the mixes, all of a sudden just because of a few added ingredients the price goes way up. I buy frozen plain vegetables on sale, I pay usually $1 a pound or less, compare that to the steam fresh type vegetables that usually run $2.69 for 12oz. just because plain vegetables are packed in a microwavable bag, I just dump some veg into a cereal bowl and nuke-em, and they are handy for lots of other things. Instead of instant potatoes I buy red potatoes which can be boiled without peeling, this makes potatoes much less of a chore.
I really cannot remember the last time that I paid full price for meat or poultry, when you can get high quality stuff for under $2 a pound, it is hard to pay over $4 and $5 a pound, it just takes some planning. Steak is the exception, I wait until New York strip goes on sale for $4.99 and then stock up. When buying steak you have to be careful, Kroger has been carrying a lot of "USDA select" grade of meat, you are better off making sure you get "USDA choice" grade as it will be of consistently better quality.
__________________ MAC
Before you criticize someone you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them you are a mile away and you have their shoes!
I do buy in bulk some. The uncooked chicken tenders are always in my freezer. Then I get the regular sized bags of frozen veggies, I can always fix soup with that and it's not very pricey at all. I also get tomato paste and diced tomatoes in cans at sams in bulk packages. Pasta is quick and easy as long as you have that on hand. Bread and All purpose flour in bulk is good too, then you have pizza crust. Pick up a little bulk cheese and you are always ready for pizza. Those items can be used many different ways. I get ground beef and make it into patties and freeze them spread out flat on cookie sheets then I wrap them individually in saran press and seal for the freezer and place that in a zip top bag. then I can thaw easy for a hamburger or a recipe.
I watch the sales, especially for meat. If one of the local mega-marts has a good deal on chicken breast, boston butts, ground chuck, ribs, etc. I buy it (even if I don't need it right then) and wrap it for the freezer. Just like the other day when The Pig had chuck roast on sale (BOGO), got two and put them in the freezer. Stores here have good deals on family packs of ground chuck and I do them up in 1 lb. packages in zip-loc bags. Take my rolling pin and make a nice flat package and gets all the air out. That way they store nice and neat in the freezer. For shrimp, fish and crab we either catch our own or I go down to the docks and buy straight off the boat. Large shrimp usually run 3.99/lb.
Most of my fresh veggies I buy from Kings (farm market) just down the road from me. The bulk of what they sell comes out of their own fields. What I buy at the mega-mart is usually the store-brand of frozen. Just pour out what I want and run them under some warm water to thaw and then add to whatever I'm cooking. I do buy some canned veggies, but always wait to purchase when they're on sale.
Another way I save, is to stick to simple things and stay away from recipes that would cause me to buy a spice or expensive ingredient I normally don't have in my pantry.
__________________ Most of all, cook from the heart, and you’ll never be lonely when the dinner bell rings! - Chef Robert Irvin
Another way I save, is to stick to simple things and stay away from recipes that would cause me to buy a spice or expensive ingredient I normally don't have in my pantry.
I think that this is why so many people trying to learn to cook get intimidated and feel that cooking isn't economical. Many of the recipes that you see on TV, call for at least one pricey ingredient and you may only use it once.
I have a jar of Chinese five spice that I have used once and paid $6 for, I need to find another use for it, I hate having things just hanging around taking up space!
__________________ MAC
Before you criticize someone you should walk a mile in their shoes, that way when you criticize them you are a mile away and you have their shoes!
I know... there are so many good dishes you can make with the normal ingredients that a cook usually keeps in their fridge or pantry without the need of specialized ingredients or buying a lot of prepacked items, both of which can get costly.
__________________ Most of all, cook from the heart, and you’ll never be lonely when the dinner bell rings! - Chef Robert Irvin
I do the same thing. I break down the large family packs into two person servings - two chicken breast, two fish fillets, one lb. ground chuck, one lb. shrimp, etc. It just makes it easier and simple.
__________________ Most of all, cook from the heart, and you’ll never be lonely when the dinner bell rings! - Chef Robert Irvin
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