Catch All Meals - Have at least one meal every few weeks that uses up
leftover ingredients, whether fresh or frozen. Soups, Stews, and Stir Fry
are examples of "catch all" meals.
Cook Double - You save time and money cooking a double recipe and then
putting half aside for another evening.
Journals - Keep a kitchen journal. When you try a new recipe,
write down what you liked about it, or if something was wrong. Don't make
the same mistake twice or forget about a good thing.
Leftovers - Always check for leftovers that can be used in other
meals. For some ideas on using leftovers, see the "Leftovers" section on
the Frugal
Kitchen Tips Page. See also
Leftover
Cooking Ideas.
Meatless - To meatless once a week. There are
lots of great pasta and salad recipes that will fill you up, as well as egg and
cheese dishes. It's good for your pocketbook and health to eat less meat.
Newspapers and Ads - Plan your meals around the items on
sale, and check for coupons on Internet sites.
Sandwiches - Don't be afraid to add sandwiches to your
menu. They can be made special by the use of special breads and toppings.
Slow Cooker - Eat one Crockpot meal each week. Pick
your busiest day, and avoid convenience food.
Write it Down - You don't have to invent the wheel over
and over. Keep copies of your weekly recipes and meal planning for the
week. See
Easy Meal
Planning.