Avoid recipes that need a special ingredient.Try them in soups, stews and salads such as Chicken Bulgur Salad. Grains such as rice, pasta, barley and couscous are inexpensive and can be used in many different recipes. Which ones do you need to use up? Look for recipes that use those foods and ingredients. Look at the expiry dates of the foods and ingredients you already have on hand. Check your pantry, refrigerator and freezer.Here are a few tasty meatless meal recipes: Black Bean Couscous Salad, Egg Bhurji, and Sweet Chili Tofu Stir-fry. Legumes (beans, lentils, dried peas), eggs, tofu, peanut butter and canned fish offer great tasting protein at a good price.
Plan at least one meatless meal a week.Check store flyers, newspaper inserts and coupon sites online. You may be surprised at the good buys available. Just be sure to buy and plan for foods that you will actually use so that they don’t go to waste. Plan your meals around foods that are on sale.Decide which recipes you will make for lunch and dinner and make a list of the items that you will need from the grocery store. When you have a plan, you will be less likely to spend money on fast food or convenience meals. Take a look at these tips for easy menu planning. It takes a bit of time, but it will help you save money later. Are you trying to save money on food? If so, start by planning your meals for the next few days or week ahead.