Small scallops are often called bay scallops and can be expensive. You can save money by using large sea scallops and cutting them into quarters before cooking them.
To save money, use red cabbage and green bell peppers. They cost less than green cabbage and other colors of peppers. But by using the red cabbage you will still have a delicious and festive dish.
Making homemade tarragon vinegar saves money. Place three 5-inch sprigs of tarragon in a bottle of white-wine vinegar. Let stand in a dark place for 3 weeks. Once refrigerated, it will keep for up to 1 year.
Economize by buying ranch dressing in family-size bottles. Look for supermarket sales or better savings in club warehouse stores. Use leftover dressing in cold pasta or chicken salad.
Cajun seasoning is less costly when you make your own. Mix 1 teaspoon each salt, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne and black pepper plus 2 teaspoons each garlic powder and paprika.
When purchasing chicken wings, check the frozen foods section of the grocery store. Frozen chicken wings are just as tasty as fresh wings, yet they are often less expensive.
Cut these steak fingers into smaller strips and spear them with toothpicks for an elegant and inexpensive appetizer. You can prepare them several days ahead and freeze them to make party day less hectic.
