![]() Not everyone will agree, but I can taste the difference between CostCo meat and run-of-the-mill grocers. Its not the cheapest, but the dollar/quality ratio seems the best. if anything the cheaper bulk versions from CostCo or Asian grocers actually seem better than expensive versions That one is actually worth paying more for Very occasionally buy premade pasta/pizza sauce when I don't want to make it myself. Our canned good consumption is limited though, its really just chickpeas, black beans and diced tomatoes. Anything that comes in a can or jar, what you spend seems largely irrelevant. You don't need a fancy version of these, but having "a" version is worth it if you are into cooking. Unique gadgets that open new cooking options - e.g. A "decent" set of kitchen knives (meaning we spent a couple hundred, not a couple thousand). its worth it to spend $20 versus buy at the dollar store, but the $150 brand-name version is not necessarily different from the $20. Of course, like most things the marginal utility of additional dollars is not linear - i.e. In terms of kitchen gadgets, I think there are a few things where buying "nicer" improves quality of life significantly. (There are plenty of things you don't want to add, like most leafy greens and cruciferous veggies, but that's ok!)Īside from that, a decent dutch oven (does not have to be Le Cruset quality!), a good knife that you hone (not sharpen) regularly, and some cast-iron pans go a long way. It really helps you get more value from your food, and of course makes delicious food as well. Those weird little garlic cloves that aren't worth chopping? Into the bag. No problem - into the broth bag! Store sells 10 oz containers of mushrooms but your recipe calls for 6 oz? Not an issue. I normally find that I have trouble using all of the carrots or celery that I purchase (say for a recipe that only calls for one carrot, but you have to buy a one-pound bag). But the real change for me has been helping me reduce food waste pretty dramatically. The broth it makes is great and really ups the quality of recipes at home. I keep a gallon bag in the freezer where I put the ends of onions/carrots/celery that I chop off, parsley stems, chicken bones etc., then just throw that in the crock pot with some water when it fills up every couple of weeks. This does not directly answer your question, but one thing that has dramatically changed my cooking and attitude toward food economy is making my own vegetable broth (and sometimes chicken broth). Occasionally Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. We like Aldi, Lidl, Westerly Health, Walmart and regional specialty grocers. We have a toaster, a mini oven and a blender. We don’t do many gadgets: no instapot, nutribullet, slow cooker, apple corer, salad spinner, pressure cooker, microwave or even an espresso maker. I don’t do the high end coffees since I found Pilon, but when out if they have La Colombe I’ll take it. ![]() Manhattan Farmers markets or other obvious rip offs I generally don’t indulge in. Overall I don’t skimp on health, but I don’t think I overpay either. Nong Shim ramen is worth it to me over Nissin and other brands. Bottled water is worth it to me because of a health condition. Briermere Farms blackberry and peach jams and apple butter (available online) are obviously worth $13 for large jars, shipped, no matter what my dad thinks. Good quality ice cream without fillers or artificial ingredients is worth it - such as Haagen Dazs Bourbon Vanilla Bean Truffle Ice Cream. Organic valley dairy seems worth it as do free range eggs, but I won’t fight over it. I buy imported hard core whole grain 0 sugar bread (to offset the ice cream and jams below). Lundberg’s organic sprouted brown basmati rice is worth it. ![]() I’ve bought Lurpak imported butter and sel de guerande sea salt and consider them worth it. Rao’s arrabbiata sauce is always worth it but W has it for $6.50 sometimes. Besides which tag sales often have very fine bone china where we go. I like Williams Sonoma a lot and I would never turn down a gift of a le Creuset or fancy flatware, but they are way above my price point. I like T-Fal and you can get a whole set for $89. I care much more about the quality, taste and healthiness of the ingredients than about pots and pans brand names.
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