You can save money by using olive oil and balsamic vinegar instead of the bottled Italian vinaigrette dressing called for in the recipe. Use 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil for the best flavor.
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.
You can save money by turning this salad into a light supper. Simply prepare the salad as the recipe directs, then combine it with 8 ounces cooled, cooked corkscrew pasta in step 3.
As a general rule a chicken will produce 1 cup cooked meat per pound of whole chicken. You can save money and avoid waste by buying the smallest fryer available for this recipe.
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.
Save money and still get fiery flavor by making your own chili powder. Toast one dried chile in a cast-iron skillet until puffed. Remove and discard the seeds. Process the chile into powder in a blender.
Egg prices are based on size and grade, with jumbo and extra-large eggs the costliest per dozen. More affordable are medium eggs, which are slightly smaller than large eggs, and the yolks are about the same size.
Fresh dill may cost more than you want to spend. Instead, buy good-quality dried dill. Choose a brand with a freshness date and one where the herb is green, not dull. Store in the freezer.
