Been to the grocery store lately? It’s not pretty. Prices are skyrocketing. Meat is more expensive. Dairy’s through the roof. Even seasonal vegetables are priced like luxury goods, not the daily staples they should be.
Blame rising overhead costs — especially fuel — for these bottom-line headaches. As our economy sags and drags its way downward, we’re faced with higher food costs than we’ve seen in years.
And there’s no end in sight.
But a strapped bank account shouldn’t doom you to sub-par eating. With a little forethought and elbow grease, you can still feed your family a high-quality, nutritious and satisfying supper composed of real, recognizable and delicious ingredients; not that overprocessed, overpackaged foodlike junk that seems like a bargain when you buy it but only disappoints at the table.
We set out to create four wholesome meals for under 10 bucks. The ground rules? The meals had to be healthful, not boring, and clean-plate-club delicious. And wherever we could, we’d buy food that was organically produced. Just because we’re on a budget doesn’t mean we can’t support ethical food production.
One caveat to this 10-buck meal plan: We’re assuming you have bare-bones basics, like salt, pepper, olive oil and a half-empty jar of mustard or two.
Approach groceries like you’d approach shoes: You don’t need to buy the best in the shop, but you should buy the best you can afford. And believe it or not, you can score some top-shelf eats on a modest budget of 10 bucks.
Our top tip: Find a local grocer with a robust bulk-food aisle, such as Sunflower Market, Wild Oats, or yes, even Whole Foods. You will be shocked at how much money you can save by purchasing just what you need.
Example: Six ounces of couscous in a prepackaged box will cost between $2.19 and $2.50. But a pound of the same stuff, scooped from a bulk bin, will set you back $1.50, or less.
Add it up over time, and you can save two- or threefold on these items, freeing up a little spare coinage for a higher-quality piece of meat from the butcher counter. Or, ahem, for your mortgage payment.
A better bottom line at the grocery store takes attention and commitment and a bit more time, but it doesn’t have to feel like work. Sure, you’ll forgo the convenience of prepared foods, but soon enough saving money becomes a game. And when you get a look at your receipt, you’ll feel like a winner.
We went from store to store looking for great bargains, not because we believe you need to do the same (after all, driving around town burns gas, which isn’t exactly cheap either), but to illustrate that with a little planning and tenacity, you can uncover good deals — on real food — right under your own nose.
Use our $10 dinners as an idea springboard to create your own delicious budget meals. Step 1: Decide what you want to eat. Then figure out how to make it happen on the cheap.
And if, at the end of the week, you’ve stuck to your budget, go ahead and treat yourself to a nice dinner out.
You’ll have earned it.
Tucker Shaw: 303-954-1958 or dining@denverpost.com
Four meals, $10
Here’s where we bought our ingredients for our $10 dinners and what we paid for them. (Note: Tax not included in the totals.)
CHICKEN DINNER
Natural free-range chicken (3.2 pounds): $6.49 at Tony’s Meats
Lentils: 75 cents at Sunflower Market
Apricots: 63 cents at Sunflower Market
Greens: 99 cents at Sunflower Market
Oranges: 40 cents at Safeway
Cumin: 39 cents at Whole Foods
Cinnamon: 18 cents at Whole Foods
Paprika: 30 cents at Whole Foods
Onion: 14 cents at Sunflower Market
Potatoes: 54 cents at Sunflower Market
TOTAL: $10.81
POLENTA DINNER
Organic polenta: $2 at Sunflower Market
Organic red onion: $1.39 at Safeway
Vinegar: $1.50 at Albertsons
White beans: 40 cents at Albertsons
Shallot: 42 cents at Sunflower Market
Organic spinach: $1.29 at Sunflower Market
Olives: $1.05 at Sunflower Market
TOTAL: $8.05
PORK RAGU DINNER
1.25 pounds pork: $2.50 at Oliver’s Meat & Seafood
Garlic: 20 cents at Sunflower Market
Onion: 22 cents at Sunflower market
Mushrooms: 62 cents at Albertsons
Tomato paste: 79 cents at Sunflower
Peppers: 8 cents at King Soopers
Penne: $1 at King Soopers
Bay leaves: 14 cents at Whole Foods
Organic chicken broth: $1.59 at Sunflower Market
Fresh oregano: $1.69 at Sunflower Market
Romaine lettuce: $1.19 at Safeway
Lemon: 50 cents at Sunflower Market
TOTAL: $10.52
CHILI-LIME SHRIMP DINNER
Shrimp: $4.11 at King Soopers
Chili powder: 74 cents at Whole Foods
Couscous: $1.50 at Whole Foods
Garbanzo beans: 40 cents at Sunflower Market
Carrot: 26 cents at Sunflower Market
Brussels sprouts: 89 cents at King Soopers
Cilantro: 50 cents at Sunflower Market
Zucchini: 35 cents at Sunflower Market
Lime: 50 cents at Sunflower Market
TOTAL: $9.25
