The cost of produce, eggs, poultry, and meat has tripled in the past months for most of us. Learning from our grandparents who experienced the Great Depression and World War II rationing is the best way to combat this. Here are a few tips:
Use Cheaper Meat Cuts
East European shtetls are the origin of your favorite smoked brisket. It was difficult to sell due to its size, toughness, and long cooking time. From Manhattan to Memphis to Dallas, Jewish immigrants brought it to America. While brisket remained Jewish holiday food, it also became pastrami (in Romania, pastrami was made with goose) and eventually barbecue.
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Stretch Your Proteins
You can make a hash or a patty by combining starchy vegetables and protein. Using the grainy texture of the other ingredients in the recipe, bind the ground protein to prevent it from sliding into the sauce. Utilize leftovers, like the last rice scoop or the heel of the bread.
Replace Expensive Ingredients
It is not uncommon for certain items to become inexplicably expensive and challenging to locate when times are tough. A pound of chicken wings cost $3.25 in May 2021, but thighs were still inexpensive. Drought is expected to keep meat prices high until 2025, despite the poultry price decrease.
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Pickle And Preserve
Quick pickles, also called refrigerator pickles, are efficient for mixed vegetables. It only takes vinegar and water with salt and sugar (to taste). You can vary the taste by adding spices, garlic cloves, or herbs. Additionally, feeling lazy to make your brine? Pickling brine can be reused after you finish a jar of pickles.
Plant A Garden
Due to labor shortages and food rationing during WWII, the government encouraged people to grow their own produce. Plant your onions or garlic if they sprout before you eat them! Buy whole fruit, especially pineapple, rather than cut fruit.