Frugal Friday

In a shaky economy, people are shifting to a new trend.  Rather than going out, people are saving gas and avoiding the high priced restaurant meals.  America is cooking again, and loving it!  The food network has been giving us cooking lessons any time we want them- 24 hours a day- and the Internet gives us recipes and meal ideas for every ingredient we can find!  But, with all of this information, how do we keep from being overloaded?  And, who has time for a new recipe every night?  I’m lucky to get a meal on the table- even hot dogs- some nights!  So, here are my ways to spice up home cooking without getting overwhelmed. 

First of all, pick a day that you have time to relax and think.  I picked Sunday afternoons because I’m usually off work and I have a little down time.  So, I sit down at my desk and write down my menu for the week, checking the Al’s ad online - making sure to accomodate for any evenings when I’ll be working late or short on time.  This usually doesn’t take long, but makes a dramatic difference in what our dinners look like in the next week.  If I don’t plan ahead, I come home from work too exhausted to come up with anything new or exciting.  Then, I make out my shopping list and head to Al’s to get everything I need for the week!

While making out your list, try to pick one new recipe you’d like to try.  If you don’t have any ideas, I have a few recipe links to the right might want to try or check out our Fresh Choices Daily site to see the feature recipes of the month.  Plan your new recipe for a night when you have time- maybe a day off or a day you will be home early- so you don’t have to rush.  This way, making something new will be enjoyable rather than stressful. 

Here’s the test.  Ask your family what they think.  Find out if they want to have it again next week.  Soon, your new recipe experiments could be your signature dish!  But, don’t feel bad if not every one turns out perfect.  There’s always next week!