You can make use of the liquid in which canned beans are packed. It will add flavor when used in place of water in this recipe, as well as in your favorite soup or stew recipe.
Homemade lemon-pepper seasoning costs less than store-bought and has a naturally fresher flavor. Simply mix finely grated lemon zest of 1 lemon with 2 tablespoons cracked black peppercorns.
Make your own sweet pickle relish and save money and possibly a trip to the grocery store. Finely chop any variety or mixture of sweet pickled vegetables, including cucumbers, onions or peppers.
Fresh spearmint can be very expensive when purchased in the small packages available at most supermarkets. You can substitute 1 tablespoon of dried mint for a comparable, less expensive taste result.
Use day-old loaves of bread for this classic Italian salad. They are less expensive than freshly baked loaves and will also provide a firmer texture that holds up better when dressing is added.
Chunk light tuna or chunk white tuna will be just as tasty in this bold Tuscan salad. You will save up to 35 percent on the price of solid white tuna that is called for in this recipe.
The next time you buy fresh beets, do not discard the greens. Cooked beet greens make a great side dish. Sauté greens in oil until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes.
Anchovy paste is a key ingredient in Caesar salad dressing-a little will add lots of flavor. When you have extra on hand, use a teaspoon of it in a batch of marinara sauce for a wonderful taste.
Put leftover anchovies to good use. Chop finely and mix them into potato salad. You can also cream them with butter for a great steak topping, or mash them with soy sauce to make fish sauce.
If you do not grow chives or if they are too expensive in the market, you can use the top of a green onion instead. Chop finely or snip with kitchen scissors. This will spare you the cost of fresh chives.
Stretch this economical salad during tomato season by finely chopping the bacon, onion and lettuce. Mix in the mayonnaise dressing and serve in hollowed tomatoes. It makes a great buffet dish, too.
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.
