You may not be Emeril Legasse. You may not be Guy Fieri. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t a great cook. All you need is a bit of zest and some delicious, fresh food to make your recipes a bit more appealing (even to the picky eater). And with prices of food rising consistently, these hacks will keep your wallet light and your tummy full.
Plan Those Meals
Whether you’re a bachelor or a mother of five, planning ahead can save you tons of money. You don’t have to go out to eat, yet you don’t have to be a chef to make great meals. Buying fresh produce can make your meal options innumerable; make a pasta con broccoli or grill some fish. The idea is that you aren’t going to frozen meals with tons of sodium and other preservatives.
Clip Those Coupons
Remember those pieces of junk mail that inevitably make it into your mailbox? Don’t throw them away. There’s a treasure trove of coupons that can make your meals as delicious as ever. Sometimes it’s just a deal of fresh produce; other times it’s a few dollars off some meat. Either way, clipping those coupons can save you a ton of money, and all you have to do is be handy with a pair of scissors.
Got a Lust for Meat? Substitute Other Proteins
Proteins such as beef, pork, and chicken are pricey. Instead of succumbing to the urge or meat, try protein-packed veggies, legumes, and other options instead. Chickpeas, eggs, nuts, and whole grains will give you the protein you need for a power-packed lunch or dinner. Plus, they’re all versatile ingredients which can let you add your own pizzazz or spices to the mix.
What’s Cooking? You Can Find Out
Do you find cooking annoying? Do you feel like you’ll never “get it?” Well, you aren’t alone. Many people feel like they don’t have the chef’s touch when it comes to making meals.
The answer is to start simple. Casseroles are easy; just throw a bunch of stuff in a pan and throw it in an oven. Want to get more complex? Open up your spice rack. Find spices you like and those that mix together well. Spice combinations that can put your taste buds into overload include:
- Rosemary and thyme (classic for lamb)
- Cinnamon and ground ginger (spicy a bit yet sweet)
- Oregano and Italian seasoning (Italian seasoning has oregano, but a bit extra never hurt the palate)
- Salt and pepper (traditional, yet overlooked)
No matter what spice you add, you can turn a bland dish into something magnificent. Your family and your taste buds will thank you.
Why Fresh Veggies and Fruits Can Turn You into a Famous Chef for Your Family
Ok. So you may never be a Gordon Ramsey. But you don’t need to curse your way into a great meal. The ingredients speak for themselves. With fresh fruit and produce added to your cooking, you won’t only get those cooking skills to the next level incidentally; you’ll taste the difference. Buy fresh, ignore the frozen. Your mouth will do the cha-cha.
DLJ Produce is home to the finest, freshest produce on the market today. Look for our label at your local grocer. If you happen to cook an amazing recipe using our produce, shoot us a message via our social media channels and we’ll be happy to feature your masterpiece.
