I'm calling all the "foodies" out there, when do you splurge and when do you save on ingredients? I'm always trying to save money, especially at the grocery store. I'm getting better at purchasing items when they are on sale AND using a coupon for them. (This could be another post all together)! However, I want to know, "What is a must splurge item for you?"
I have some food snob friends! They would be proud to admit it! Parmesan cheese in the container is a big "no no"! They've persuaded me to shred my own Parmesan. I have found it to be cheaper that way! Other friends use a vanilla bean instead of extract. I'm still using my big bottle from Costco.
What about chocolate or olive oil? What do you purchase that is generic or from a discount grocery store? Have you noticed a difference?
Recently, I purchase a "grown up" olive oil and balsamic vinegar! Our community has a new store called, Fustinis! One is able to sample all these wonderful oils and vinegars and create her own combination! This is the first time I've enjoyed my own dressing on a salad!
What have you found in the food world?
4 comments:
Over the last several years I have gotten away from the 'just gotta have the name brand' on a LOT of things. But I STILL have to have my Blue Plate mayo. I purchase tons of off brand, store brand items now. We even LIKE the Walmart brand loaf bread!
What a great question. I think so much depends on your tastes. I would never buy anything but butter, but I will buy anything at Costco, including butter. We had women bring up treats to our church's girl's camp and not one of them was made with butter - result - no temptation - I guess that is good. I don't like imitation vanilla, but I love Mexican vanilla. I don't think the beans are worth it. I love the parmesan reggiano from Costco, but I freeze it so that it doesn't go bad and in the long run I don't think it costs much more - it is actually cheaper here than it is in Italy, if you can figure that one. I am a snob when it comes to my dipping chocolate for dipping centers at Christmas and other times, but Nestles CCs are just fine. I have found some local brands that were good. I adore Dove chocolate, so smooth and creamy.
We did a little olive oil test. That is an interesting one, because you can pay a fortune. We did a blind test and do you know which one we preferred for dipping breads? Star from Wal Mart. I think taste testing with the fam. is a lot of fun and everyone has different tastes. Sorry you asked?
Nice to meet you. I am your newest follower.
I look at the ingredients. Quite a bit of the time the off-brand is made with better ingredients. For instance Raisin Bran has HFCS, but some off brands don't. The off-brand of saltines does not have hydrogenated oil and the original brand does. So, that is usually how I decide.
My splurges are REAL parmasan cheese (in a chunk, not preshredded). I often eat it just plain on a cracker. Yummy! Also, pine nuts. They are expensive, but they add great flavor and crunch to pasta and salad. And you only use a few at a time, so they last a while if you put them in the freezer.
My other thing is cereal - I only buy name brand because we don't think the off brands are as good. However, if you buy on sale and with coupons you can often get the price way down, and then I stock up.
For everything else, I try to just find the best deal (which could be store brand, Aldi, or namebrand on sale).
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