Cooking on a Budget: Can it Be Done?

Tis’ the season to spend lots of money! Lately it seems like all I have been doing is writing checks for this kids event or fundraiser. On top of all of those financial suck holes is the holiday gift season. I am one of those crazy people who go out at 4:00 in the morning and stand in line at Kohl’s for the door buster deals. It has been a tradition that my Mother-in-Law and I started 8 years ago. We have so much fun and just laugh about how we are crazy to do this each year. I like a deal-what can I say?

This is also the time of year that I try to trim a few dollars off the grocery bill. I take the extra money and apply it to the “Christmas Fund” so that the holiday season does not become a burden on our family financially. Here are some tips that I used to trim a few dollars off my grocery bill:

1. Plan, Plan, Plan-

I make a weekly menu and stick with it. I make a grocery list and only go to the store and  buy what is on the list. Even if there is a great new product at Whole Foods, I wait until January to try it.

2. Search the Weekly Ads-

I go to three main grocery stores and choose which one based on it’s weekly sales. I look for ingredients that are on sale and usually build my recipes around those products.

3. Bulk Shopping-

I love the Warehouse stores during the holiday season because there are certain items that I fly threw and don’t mind buying in bulk. Examples of these items are chicken stock, chicken breast, canned tomatoes, garlic, onions, brown rice, Smart Butter, and whole wheat pasta.

4. “Winter” Cleaning of your Pantry and Freezer-

I inventory my entire pantry and freezer and clean it out. I use all my proteins and canned goods that are already in my house before I buy new ones. I am a huge offender of buying duplicate items because I simply don’t check to see if I already have it. You would be surprised on what might be hiding in your pantry.

5. Coupons-

I love coupons! You can find them all over the internet and newspapers during this time of year. A dollar here and 50 cents there does add up! Google your favorite products. Many products do have coupons you can print off.

What are some of your money saving grocery tips around the holidays?

Here is a recipe that I made following my money saving tips.

Mangos were on sale this week 4 for $2.00. That is a great deal. I also had pork in the freezer. These were the two main ingredients for this recipe.

 

Chili Rubbed BBQ Pork Chops

Recipe courtesy Sandra Lee

Ingredients:

• 4 loin pork chops
• Garlic salt (recommended: Lawry’s)
• Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chili seasoning (recommended: McCormick’s)
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, plus more if desired (recommended: KC Masterpiece)

Directions

Preheat broiler.

Rinse chops with cold water and pat dry.

Place on foil-lined baking sheet and season with garlic salt and pepper. Rub with chili seasoning. Broil 4 minutes per side.

Brush with BBQ sauce and broil 1 minute, turn, brush with more BBQ sauce and broil an additional 1 minute.

 

Serve hot.

Warm Mango Salsa:

• 1 can drained, sliced mangos
• 1 can tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 lime, cut in half
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Combine mangos and tomatoes in pan over heat.

 

Squeeze in lime juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Break up the mangos with a spoon so they are consistent in size with the tomatoes. Heat over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Once heated through stir in chopped cilantro and serve with pork chops.

 

It was that easy to whip up a plate that looks this good and is really nutritious.

I love any new pork recipe that includes fruit. I feel fruit brings out the true taste of pork. The girls really like the pork. It had a bit of spice to it but the sweet BBQ sauce gave it a nice smooth flavor.

Now off to create my Thanksgiving Dinner Menu!