I live in New York, one of the most expensive cities in the country, if not the world, where a roll of single-ply toilet paper at my corner store costs about two dollars. Sometimes it feels like there's a hole in your pocket, there's a tear in your wallet, where did all the money go? Keeping my spending at a reasonable level is a constant challenge and requires precision and precision. I'm definitely not a budget-conscious type of person—sorry, Mom—but I do what I can to keep my spending down.
I have found that the kitchen is the easiest place to start. Cooking at home, in large quantities, is my go-to technique. Don't get me wrong, eating out is great—a must, even when you live in a food-centric city like New York—but I try to keep my portions at restaurants to a minimum. Plus, I'm a writer on the internet, so don't expect me to swallow half an oyster shell on my Wednesday night. Instead, I often make meals a day or two in advance—I like to plan my week around what I'm going to eat and spend a lot of my free time in the kitchen. Not only does it help me save money, but it is also my favorite place to relax. And because I work at Food52 (have you heard?), I often try recipes from our site. They're reliable and I enjoy knowing the content I play frequently throughout the day.
How to Grill on a Budget
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Since starting here a few months ago, I've studied a lot of our archives. I've tried rosemary tart with prime winter orange; a braised short rib recipe that is a dinner party favorite of mine; I even tried and succeeded in making my own yogurt. These recipes are all great, but vary greatly, either in terms of time required or money spent. So, yes, make time on Saturday or Sunday to do these activities, but don't expect to make them a weekday routine.
Easy combinations of delicious flavors often provide the boldest, most convenient results—and many of them cost less than $10. I've rounded up my favorite recipes that don't cost a fortune; Simple dishes that don't have to taste simple. Your wallet can thank me later.
One pot stew recipes are a great choice. They don't require much effort—or expense—because the important thing is to let the ingredients cook to match each other's flavors. Sarah Jampel recently posted a recipe for braised white beans with escarole and rosemary sizzle. He invited me to eat white beans. All the ingredients here are instantly accessible and have prices you can count on with one hand. To complete the dish, leave out the rosemary. It adds a pleasant floral scent, but if you're feeling frugal, it's not necessary. The beauty of this dish is that it gets better with time; Lemon oil enhances the flavor after a day or two in the refrigerator. With a slice of bread for dipping, let this bread carry you through the week.
Soup is also a budget-friendly dream. They require minimal effort (throwing everything in there) and, if cooked in larger quantities, can last quite a while. My personal favorite is this roasted butternut squash situation. The taste is nutty and complex with a welcome creamy note from a hint of coconut milk. There was a lot going on, but it all came together and I took it with me in a jar to use the next day. If you are looking for something simpler, then you can look for celery puree. this recipe Really let the main ingredients sing and with the help of pantry staples like rice, milk, and salt, it only requires two items from the grocery store. To take a recipe like this to the next level, splurge on beans or buckwheat, pop it in the oven to brown and sprinkle it on top. I dress up my butternut squash soup with unsweetened cashew cream.
This classic grilled cheese is the hero of rental week. Often, it's the simplicity that makes it so, so good. For this grilled cheese recipe, that's the case. Reichl recommends smearing each slice of bread with mayo before placing it face down on the hot skillet. This is the step that guarantees a crispy outer crust that can hold all your puddley cheese. We don't call this recipe genius for nothing.
Avoiding meat is another way I like to keep costs down, but sometimes a little splurge is in order. Let's be honest: This recipe for doubt do crossed the $10 mark but it was so delicious, I couldn't resist. But don't worry, there are still ways to reduce costs. For an affordable alternative, look for different cuts of meat. Talk to your butcher about cheaper options, maybe try making a ragu with beef. I once made it with pieces of boiled beef that I cut even smaller. Or, reduce the proportions in the recipe and use less meat. After all, two pounds of pork shoulder is a lot. The best part about the ragu is how well it freezes. I'll take about half of what I make and store it in the freezer for later.
I thought I'd give you all five of my budget-friendly recipes. Consider it a blessing, or something. Try it! Or don't! Or find your own $10 dollar meal (but let me know if you find any good ones!). There are a few things I try to keep in mind when I'm cooking, or planning dinner that night: I usually look for recipes that don't have too much meat, are made in large quantities, and can feed me all week. Bonus points if they're reusable or if they rely on pantry staples I usually have on hand (for me, that includes garlic, olive oil, cumin, and ginger). Cooking shouldn't cost a lot of money; in fact, let it help you.
How do you budget your weekday diet? Let us know your tips in the comments.
