For some, eating on a budget means pantries lined with ramen noodles, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or Frosted Flakes for dinner.
But for me, it means eating all the things I love like fresh fruits and roasted vegetables, beautiful meats, artisan cheeses and wine. Yes, even wine.
No coupon clipping. No fast or frozen food. Just smarter shopping, and a lot more of it.
This week’s #SundaySupper, hosted by the lovely Lane from Supper for a Steal and Pam from Blueberries and Blessings is all about budget meals. And this one is right up my alley.
So, I cook. I cook every day. And I don’t do any of that semi-homemade stuff, but homemade beautiful and nutritious meals bought daily from farmers markets and the grocery store.
Daily?
Yes, daily. I love to grocery shop, and not only is it a great break from working at home, not to mention what I call therapy (we’ll talk about that another time), but it also saves me money.
Think about it. How many times have you come home with a week’s worth of groceries, only to find you’re either too tired to cook, or what sounded good four days ago doesn’t really fit your mood today? Perfectly good food, and money down the drain- with likely even more money spent, as you drive away from that restaurant wondering where all your money went.
By shopping every day or two, you can keep smaller quantities of food that get used up quicker, plus keep a better handle on ingredients that can be reused for other dishes like fresh herbs, dairy products and leftover meats.
Another way to save is to shop by season. Not only will you spend less, but your fruits, vegetables and herbs will taste better and last longer. And forget about those precut options. It may take you a few extra minutes to cut up a pineapple, slice those mushrooms, or make a few extra knife cuts to remove the skin and debone a chicken breast, but the saving is significant.
Buying in bulk is another tip, especially when it comes to produce that lasts, like potatoes, citrus and even apples. Get creative, and plan meals that utilize similar ingredients in different ways. Or try something new, like baked apples for breakfast.
And forget all those weekly circulars and opt for streamlined shopping. By shopping more frequently, you can take advantage of savings at multiple stores. I use one simple key ring to hold all of my grocery store savings cards. This makes it handy at checkout instead of digging through my wallet for the correct one.
Plus, each store has it’s own unique perks. One of my local stores even gives discounts at participating gas stations, just for entering in your card number. By taking a few extra minutes and checking out your local grocery store websites, you’ll be able to take advantage of all they have to offer, which means even more savings on your end.
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So my contribution to this week’s Sunday Supper?
I’ve been making this breakfast burrito for years, and not only is it very inexpensive to make, but it provides enough breakfasts for the week. I make up the meat and egg mixture and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Simply wrap it up, heat it up and you’re good to go.
A perfect, hearty, healthy and easy way to have a home cooked breakfast every day… on a budget!
San Francisco Special Breakfast Burritos
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 stick of butter, melted
1 pound ground beef
1 medium tomato finely chopped
1 package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and well drained
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Sprinkle of red pepper flakes
8 eggs
Salt and Pepper to taste
Flour tortillas (I used spinach wraps and they were fabulous!)
Saute the onion in melted butter in a large skillet. Once soft, add in ground beef and garlic and cook until browned over med-high heat. Add in spinach, tomato and seasonings. In a separate pan, scramble the eggs, and salt and pepper. Then gently fold the scrambled eggs into the meat mixture. Serve in tortillas.
*Note: This makes about 6 large burritos. I store the meat mixture in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Source: dianadarling.net (defunct blog)
