I haven't participated in Thrifty Thursday for a while, so here I go again. My thrifty advice today is: 'adaptation.' Instead of running off to the store to get the ingredients you need for a recipe, look around and see what you can use instead.
I found a recipe for a Beef and Vegetable Bake in the January issue of Ladies' Home Journal. (Page 109). I have 90% of the ingredients. I'm only missing mushrooms, possibly red wine, and biscuit mix. Okay, I like mushrooms, but since it is only 2 of us eating tonight, they aren't practical. So I'll leave them out. I can increase the beef broth or add water to sub for the wine, if I need to do that.
As far as biscuit mix, well, I looked it up to make my own. But you need shortening, and I don't keep that in the house. So then I remembered I have a can of crescent rolls in the fridge. Instead of biscuits, I'm going to put the crescent dough on top. I think it will work. At the very least, I'm sure the meat part will taste good!
So, always think about what you already have that might be able to do the job. It will save you money!
For more great thrifty ideas, visit "Thrifty Jinxy" soon!
http://thriftyjinxy.blogspot.com/2009/01/thrifty-thursday-living-on-cheap_22.html
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8 comments:
I agree. Being able to adapt recipes has saved a meal in this house on more than one occasion.
I have to admit that I get a little "nervous" about experimenting with recipes, but sometimes thinking a bit can help make things cheaper or faster and it really doesn't change the taste much, if at all.
If you don't mind me asking, what is that folding trick with clothes? Is that a special way so that they don't wrinkle? I have heard that you should roll clothes so they don't wrinkle but I've never tried it.
Nice and sound advice. Everyone needs to save money these days, and I'm guilty of buying so much extra when I go to the store for one thing!
Thanks for giving me the link! I am going to have to try this. I have the FlipFold which folds them in seconds and my kids loved it when they were little.
Thanks for vising my blog and for the sweet comment. Yes -- I did paint that room in one afternoon! It looks 100% better (it couldn't have gone much in the other direction - ha).
Best wishes on that kitchen! :o)
Love,
Beth
This is a great post and one that is meant for just me. I am a bad one to think that I can't make a recipe unless I have the exact ingredients.
I need to learn to improvise more. I also need to learn to use up those things that I have on hand before they get too old to use.
Thanks for the advise, Clare! I will try to do better from now on out.
I do hope you feel better soon! I have allergies and asthma but have only had one really painful sinus infection. Probably because I use a nasal spray every day (per my doctor's request).
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