Cheap. Fast. Good! Eat Well & Save Money

[jeffrey]

If you're looking for a good cookbook that gives nutritious meals while saving you both time and money, you may want to check out the book Cheap. Fast. Good! by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross. The two took up the challenge to produce a meals that would serve four at $100 a week -- chosen to reflect the U.S. Department of Agriculture's bottom line weekly amount of $107.70 for a family of four.




The book has sections for different types of entrees and other courses, with chapters entitled "Super-Saver Soups and Stews," "Fast and Frugal Sandwiches" and "Money-Saving Sides." In addition to the recipes, the book is also loaded with an abundance of shopping and preparation advice. These appear throughout the book in sidebars and boxes, as well short detailed spreads to further explain how to economize and stay within the budget. The least expensive dishes are marked with a picture of a penny with "Super-Cheap!" superimposed.

One review at Amazon describes it this way:

The title of this wonderful cookbook doesn't begin to tell the tale. It's packed with charming anecdotes, shopping and storage advice, cooking tips, hints for entertaining and feeding kids -- and that's all gravy on top of over 275 remarkably easy-to-make, nutritious and delicious recipes. This is big book in every way: full of information and insights about how to eat well for less, and how to plan, shop, and cook in the most efficient way possible. A bargain at $13.95 -- this is a budget bible of a cookbook that belongs up there on your shelf with Joy of Cooking and Fanny Farmer

Certainly worth picking up at the library to test read and then deciding whether to add it to your cookbook library.

[cercis]

I have to say, $100/week for a family of four really doesn't sound that cheap. Maybe in some of the more expensive areas? But my family of four ate for about that when we were eating out quite a bit.

But, it does sound interesting. I may check the library for it.

[markio26]

we are eating free each week now, using our stock pile..... we haven't been to any store in
about 3 weeks...we plan a weekly menu and try to stick with it.

[cercis]

I think it helps me that I have one kid who is almost a vegetarian and he likes the cheapest forms of protein - peanut butter and refried beans.

I should add, our grocery bill is a lot higher than it could be because I buy 75% organic (maybe more than that). And we haven't gotten back into veggie gardening since we moved. I need to start.

[Lori63]

We are a family of 5 and I seriously doubt that I spend $100 a week on food. I use alot of coupons and shop sales.

[PrincessPerky]

We proly spend that, and I was just asking DH if he thought we saved money on medical bills by having such big eaters (10 tacos for two adults, two small children and a baby, is apparently not enough, the grahms were gone, the teething crackers were gone, the applesauce was gone, the juice was gone, and we were ALL still hungry!)

[PauletteGoddard]

I have this book (Cheap! Fast! Good!) out from the library and I LOVE IT. I am going to reproduce 80% of its recipes. The little essays scattered within are wonderful prizes too.

[poundwise]

Sounds good and I'll check it out... but the stated goal of $2 per serving, per meal, doesn't sound especially cheap to me.

[markio26]

we are averaging under $25 a week on food and supplies for the home... i am making homemade cleaners and such now.... and we do eat alot of organic foods, i merely wait for a sale and stock up and freeze the items......when i cut out all of the unhealthy foods, we had a surplus of money each month to spend.... plus, i stockpiled.... i seen stockpile items on sale sunday at apple's store... spouse spotted some items too... i told him, we do not need anymore until maybe sept.. he just smiled.

[Bookie]

And you post great recipe ideas.