Frugal Fridays

For my first Frugal Fridays post I want to talk about inexpensive yet nutritious ingredients that should be in every kitchen:

1. Beans and other legumes (peas, chickpeas, peanuts, lentils, etc) Rich in proteins and other nutrients legumes are a perfect and healthy substitution to meat. And they are very inexpensive.
2. Rice and other grains (oats, wheat berries, grits, etc.) Hearty grains are one of the cheapest ingredients you can buy and they are so versatile they are the perfect accompaniments for your salads, soups and dinners.
3. Pasta. Cheap and versatile, pasta is one amazing and inexpensive ingredient that shouldn’t lack in your kitchen.
4. Quinoa. Sometimes confused with a grain or cereal, quinoa is a seed native to Peru. Quinoa is a little bit more expensive than other grains but its price is well worth it for its nutritious properties. It is cooked just like rice.
5. Flours. Corn flour, tortilla flour, all-purpose flour and others are very inexpensive and versatile. Making your own tortillas, bread and cakes can save you a lot of money and leave you with a feeling of fulfillment.
6. Canned vegetables and fruit might lose some of their nutritious properties during the canning process, but they are a cheaper alternative to fresh ones. Frozen vegetables are also less expensive.
7. Cabbage is usually cheap and it can be used for more recipes than you might’ve thought possible. It’s always good to have it on hand.
8. Root Vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onion) are also usually cheap and they can be used in so many different ways that many cookbooks have been written about them.
9. Seasonal vegetables. It is usually cheaper to buy seasonal vegetables at a local farmer’s market than out of season vegetables at the grocery store. Try 50-cent zucchinis and 25-cent corn ears.
10. Bullion cubes are a cheaper alternative to store bought stocks and broths. Just add to hot water and they will give your dishes a lot of flavor.
11. Meat can be quite expensive if you buy it precut in small packages. To save money buy larger packs and clean and cut it yourself. Boneless chicken fillets are also more expensive. Try getting chicken on the bone or chicken tights and wings. They taste better, anyway.
12. Eggs are inexpensive and they are an ingredient a kitchen should always have.
13. Spices are the perfect addition to any frugal dish. Some might look very expensive but they usually last for a long time. Buy them at a grocery store that sells them in bulk. That way you can have more control on how much money you spend.

There it is. 13 inexpensive ingredients for your frugal cooking. Who said being frugal means sacrificing nutrition?

Source:

• The Culinary Review

Image courtesy of What’s cooking?

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This post is tagged Blog Events, Frugal ingredients, Thursday Thirteen Meme