You can retain the silky smooth texture of these classic tartlets and stretch your grocery budget by substituting 1 cup whole milk for the half-and-half cream specified in the recipe.
Keep a rich butter flavor for less money. Use half butter and half vegetable oil when a recipe calls for sautéing in butter. An added bonus is that oil allows you to cook at higher temperatures.
To save a few pennies, buy a large wedge of Cheddar cheese from the deli section of the supermarket. Then simply shred the Cheddar in a food processor, and freeze the extra in resealable plastic bags.
Crescent roll dough can be expensive. For a less costly pastry, buy phyllo. Brush 3 sheets with butter. Cut into squares, then fill with chicken mixture. Fold in the corners and seal as recipe directs.
Making crostini is a perfect way to salvage stale bread. Brush with oil to restore the moisture to the bread. Top with a variety of sautéed or grilled vegetables for a delicious treat.
If you are uncertain about the freshness of your eggs, try this simple test before you purchase any more. Place the egg in a bowl of cool, salted water. If the egg sinks, it is fresh. If it floats, discard it.
Use leftover spread for stuffed French toast. Spread between 2 pieces of buttered bread. Dip in a mixture of 1 beaten egg, 1/4 cup milk and 1 teaspoon sugar. Sauté toast in butter until browned on both sides.
With a mini muffin pan and a box of piecrust mix, you can make your own bite-size quiche crusts. Homemade crusts cost just a fraction of the price of refrigerated pie pastry.
Brown-shelled eggs are often more expensive than the white-shelled variety. Save your money. Egg shell color, determined by the breed of hen that laid the egg, affects neither the taste nor nutritive value.
Dried cranberries give this breakfast favorite a new taste. If you prefer a traditional granola that saves a little money, too, substitute raisins or currants for the dried cranberries.
Homemade tortilla chips not only taste great, making them will save you money. Spray corn tortillas with vegetable cooking spray and bake until crispy. Sprinkle with salt, then crumble into chips.
