Cheap Holiday Recipes…

If you know of ways to save money – please email them to us at
Tips@BeatTheRecession.com

Cheap. Not exactly the word you want associated with your big holiday dinner party, right? But, what if being a frugal shopper and chef didn’t compromise the quality of your recipes? It’s possible, if you know when to buy fresh food and when to go for the convenience items.

Some convenience foods, like canned and frozen vegetables, are true money-savers. But sometimes, it’s better to go au natural. Today, we’ve got some specific recipe-shopping scenarios and their most cost-efficient solutions. Get ready to save!

Candied Yams – A Sweet Scenario
Candied yams are what I call an extreme holiday dish. Either you are crazy about them, or you just don’ get the hype. Let’s say that you’re the former, and you’re at the store trying to decide whether you should buy fresh yams or canned for your Candied Yam recipe. What’s cheaper?

ANSWER: Go for the canned yams. Fresh yams usually cost $.69 per pound, and for a sizable dish, the cost will definitely add up compared to the canned version. But, if you live in some heavenly, sweet-potato farming town and fresh yams are a dime a dozen, then go local!

Bread Rolls – A Sticky Bun Scenario
You want bread rolls at your holiday meal. You need bread rolls at your holiday meal. So, what should you do? Buy fresh bread, or choose pre-baked, brown-and-serve rolls? What’s cheaper?

ANSWER: Once again, the convenience item reigns cheaper. Pre-baked rolls are often sold for under a $1 a package. You’re not going to find a better deal in the fresh bread aisle unless that bread is on the verge of going stale. And, that’s no good.

Pumpkin Pie – A Filler Scenario
You got stuck with the pumpkin pie recipe this year. You head over to the store and can’t help but feel a little cheated as you stand in front of the fresh pumpkins, wondering how the heck you’re going to whip this thing up into an edible form. Then, you see a herd of savvy-looking holiday shoppers heading over to the perishable aisle. You follow them.

Turns out, no one makes pumpkin pie with fresh pumpkin, but they do choose from two methods: they either use a pumpkin pie filling mix, or use a recipe with canned pumpkin. What’s cheaper?

ANSWER: Pumpkin pie filling. If you go for the canned pumpkin, you usually have to also buy evaporated milk and eggs. But, pumpkin pie filling is ready-to-make as is, and if it’s on sale, it’s way more likely to be the cheaper option.

A Question of Crust
Oh, don’t forget about your pie crust! Should you make your own or go pre-made? What’s cheaper?

ANSWER: Okay, so the cheaper pie crust is the one you make from scratch. But, if you’re like me, you’re no Martha Stewart. For just a little bit more money, mere mortals like you and I can find prepared pie crusts, flat and pre-rolled in the deli section, or pre-shaped in the frozen section. For what they’re worth, these prepared pie crusts will save you a ton of time, effort and sanity.

Just remember, you’re the chef here. Ultimately, it’s up to you decide where you really want to splurge or save. The great thing about the holiday season is that there are plenty of traditional and convenient options for whipping up a holiday feast on a budget. Happy holiday cooking!