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.
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.
Save yourself the expense of the half-and-half by substituting 1/4 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup milk instead. Reduce the lemon juice to 1 tablespoon since the sour cream provides sufficient tang.
When Grandma had leftover figs on hand after making this recipe, she put them to good use. She'd substitute an equal amount of chopped figs for either raisins, dried apricots or dates in her cookie recipes.
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.
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.
Stretch your budget and serve an additional 2 people by adding 1 more cup of rice and 2 more tablespoons French dressing. And, don't forget that the smaller the shrimp, the less expensive they are per pound.
If strawberries are out of season, and unavailable, or priced too high, use 2 chopped peeled pears instead. Even when berries are in season and priced low, pears may be the better buy.
This wholesome, vegetable-rich salad is equally authentic when made with chopped cooked chicken instead of shrimp. So it's an easy way to save a bundle. Use an equal amount and cut or shred into small pieces.
