Taste Of Home - Taste of Home Shop Smart & Eat Great: 403 Budget-Friendly Recipes

A TASTE OF HOME/READERS DIGEST BOOK

2012 Reiman Media Group, LLC
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All rights reserved.

Taste of Home and Readers Digest are registered trademarks of The Readers Digest Association, Inc.

Editor-in-Chief: Catherine Cassidy

Vice President, Executive Editor/Books: Heidi Reuter Lloyd

Creative Director: Howard Greenberg

North American Chief Marketing Officer: Lisa Karpinski

Food Director: Diane Werner, RD

Senior Editor/Retail Books: Faithann Stoner

Editors: Sara Rae Lancaster, Janet Briggs

Associate Creative Director: Edwin Robles Jr.

Project Art Director: Holly Patch

Content Production Manager: Julie Wagner

Layout Designer: Kathy Crawford

Copy Chief: Deb Warlaumont Mulvey

Copy Editor: Barbara Schuetz

Recipe Asset System Manager: Coleen Martin

Recipe Testing & Editing: Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Food Photography: Taste of Home Photo Studio

Administrative Assistant: Barb Czysz

The Readers Digest Association, Inc.

President and Chief Executive Officer: Robert E. Guth

Executive Vice President, RDA, & President, North America: Dan lagani

President/Publisher, Trade Publishing: Harold Clarke

Associate Publisher: Rosanne McManus

Vice President, Sales & Marketing: Stacey Ashton

Pictured on front cover:

International Standard Book Number (10): 1-61765-025-0

International Standard Book Number (13): 978-1-61765-025-3

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011943076

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The content of this book was published previously under the title Taste of Home Dinner on a Dime.

Its true! You can keep a frugal grocery list and still serve fantastic meals! Just ask the editors of Taste of Home magazine. Theyve collected hundreds of enticing yet low-cost recipes and created Shop Smart, Eat Greatthe ultimate source for comfort foods that wont break your budget.

Now its easier than ever to surprise your family with a sensational yet affordable dinner. You wont be accused of penny pinching when you set any of these 403 dishes on the table. Favorites such as come together easily without expensive ingredients. Let Shop Smart, Eat Great show you how.

It used to be that only certain items at the grocery store hit your pocketbook hard. But now prices are increasing across the board. Here are some hints to help keep your food bills in line with your budget.

Most peoples pantries, refrigerators and freezers are brimming with an abundance of items theyve stocked up on. Before another shopping trip, try to use as many items as you can. One way to do this, is to plan a few meals around what is in the pantry. This prevents having to throw out food that has become spoiled. Then, restock as items go on sale.

Instead of pushing those extra entrees to the back of the fridge (and then discovering them weeks later), eat them up within a few days. In fact, you can turn leftovers into a whole different dish or two. (For inspiration, turn to the .)

One of the most economical ways to stay within your grocery budget is to create menus based on whats on sale at the store. This is especially true of meats. If its not on sale, dont buy it. You can also ask if your store will honor prices in competitor ads.

If its on sale, but your family doesnt particularly like the productits not a sale for you. If its more than you can use before it goes badits not a sale. If two or more items are packaged together and sold at a budget price, but you can buy the items individually for lessits not a sale. If you just dont need itits just not a sale.

Its a proven fact that shoppers buy (and spend) less when they stick to a list. Resist the urge to work off a mental list, and write it down instead.

If you shop on an empty stomach, the sights and smells at the store will likely have you throwing your grocery listnot to mention your budgetout the window.

If your grocery store offers a savers card, use it! Many times, the deals at the store are available only to card members. Plus, you may get some extra discounts and money-saving coupons.

You can generally buy household cleaning products, paper goods and storage products for less at variety stores rather than supermarkets. Also, check out the local supersavers; they may have the items you routinely purchase for less.

Set a dollar amount of what you will spend at the store. To avoid going over the amount, consider paying in cash instead of with a debit or credit card or with a check. If youre not sure how to set a budget, track how much you spend on groceries over a two-month period, then divide by the number of weeks and thats what you spend. Then review your receipts to see if you can eliminate any nonessential items and reduce your spending.

They can provide some savingsbut only if the item is something your family really needs. Take advantage of in-store coupon displays as well as online coupon offers. Save even more by shopping on double-discount days or by using both in-store and manufacturer coupons on a single item.

One store has a sale on milk. One has better prices on produce. Another is discounting their bakery items. Its tempting to travel to different stores to take advantage of each sale. But keep in mind the soaring gas pricesnot to mention the value of your time. If possible, choose one or two nearby stores that will give you the most for your money.

If a store across town carries a product you always use at a bargain price, dont make a special trip there. Instead, the next time you need to be in that area for another purpose, plan to stop at that store and stock up. This way youll save gas and time.