As food prices rise, families on tight budgets are quick to explore cost-cutting measures. Some of us mark down prices, others cut back on prepackaged goods.
There is also another way to compete with the rising prices, and this is to put some of the most expensive parts of the food and ingredients at a low cost. Low cost substitutes are nothing new. During the Great Depression and the years World War Two, families learned to avoid foods such as sugar, butter, cheese, bacon, eggs Old books from these times are filled with recipes that called for some creative substitutions.
To compete with rising food prices in today’s economy, here are some low-cost options that will provide some relief to an already stressed grocery store.
make your own
At $3.49 a pound for a lean roast, it won’t be long before families decide to ditch the hamburger helper for a less expensive meal. A hamburger is nothing more than ground meat, and at a much lower cost, it is simply another waste of your inexpensive fat. Chuck roast and other fiscal pot roasts can usually be found for the pound of $1.49. Chop it pot roast and run through the fat ~ grinder and all fresh and extra lean ground beef. . If you Kitchen Aid don’t have the feeling of a food grinder, an old fashioned hand crank will work just fine. There are dozens of hand crank fuel mills in thrifti-stores across the country.
I would rather use a sauce instead of Mazola
With the price of corn rising along with other things, it won’t be long before Mazola or other vegetable oils are out of our budgets. For the recipe bread live vegetable oil (such as carrot, zucchini, or banana bread) can be replaced with an equal portion of applesauce instead. This low cost alternative is lower in calories and much healthier.
Use soy powder in cooking
For your favorite cake, cookie, brownie or shake bread, soy powder can be substituted for eggs without any loss of rise. the quality or taste of the work. I use soy powder all the time in my baking and have had great luck with this for a low price. One heaping tablespoon of soy powder and one tablespoon of water are equivalent to a large egg. For recipes , simply triple the proportion.
Chicken replaced with beef
During the mad cow scare a few years back, our family took beef completely out of the diet for almost a year. Chicken is substituted in its place, stewed, alum, and seasoned, and then to the favorite meals. We really didn’t notice the difference, especially in those heavily seasoned ethnic dishes our family enjoys. Chicken is still a fraction of the price of beef and is a terrific alternative to those more expensive cuts of beef.
Shredded cabbage for rice
I didn’t hear about this substitution until last week, when it was reported that the price of rice had risen 68% since January. As rice becomes a little rarer, substitutes will become more popular. To use, simply chop the cauliflower in a food processor, and add it to donkey or Indian dishes like rice.
Turkey ham instead of regular ham
We’ve been eating this stuff for so long that the kids can’t stand the “real” taste. ham.” We use the Jenni-O brand and it seems to range in price between 99¢ to $1.49 a pound. As long as you don’t care for the sandwich, it’s fabulous pizza topping, casseroles, egg dishes, and potato dishes.
Use fried cabbage in
Cabbage is usually the cheapest vegetable in crops, and it is bad-smells because it has a pungent smell. But a quick fry-up in the skillet with a little onion and bacon, this humble vegetable takes on a sweet flavor that will have your family asking for more. There are all kinds of fried cabbage recipes on the internet, but this is my favorite.
Go in the habit of using dried beans
Beans are truly one of the healthiest foods a person can eat, and they cost so little to prepare. While canned beans can cost an arm and a leg, canned beans are very affordable, with most varieties of beans starting as low as 22¢ a pound. A pound of dried beans yields 5-6 cups of work. What a bargain! This link from the Idaho Bean Commission is filled with some pretty amazing recipes including bean brownies, bean & Oatmeal cookies, and even a bean drink. Back in the early 1980s, I was able to feed a family of four a month on $50 using many of these wonderful recipes.
Eat more potatoes
Yes, I live in Idaho and will use this opportunity to promote Idaho spud blasting. Most people associate potatoes with fries, tots, and potato chips which are all pretty healthy ways to eat a potato. But the regular old potato is not stuffed and moderate in calories, and it is also very good for you. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, help lower cholesterol, and are good for the heart.
Like cabbage, potatoes are another cheap vegetable and can be used in so many different recipes. We add it to soups and stews, we use it in grills, and we also eat it roasted. Here is a fabulous recipe for roast potatoes from the Idaho Potato Commission.
When it comes to putting a clamp on the rising cost of food, these ideas are just a few of the many ways a family can lower the cost of groceries without sacrificing nutrition.
