Recession has thought me how to be innovative in the kitchen. What about you?

It's good to know that you have become a better cook because of the economic crisis. It is one way of teaching people how to become creative in many areas of life. I have learned a lot but still, I have plenty of room for improvement in many areas of my life. The recession has taught me to really learn how to sell stuff. Therefore, I think that I have become a better salesman...

Me I learned to eat bread for dinner or other food for snacks as my meal. I learned to save. I can eat simple meal as well. A cup of rice and veggies will do, or fish or fruits. Something hard for us to do if not for recession.

the recession had taught me many things, and like you i have become a little bit better at the kitchen when it comes to cooking. most of what i cook now are stews or those with soup in them, and few meat in it or the cuts a smaller than it used to be. as we eat rice all the time, those with soups are good. less fried meats too. i also add flavoring like those cubes you mention.

we eat out less now compared to before, what we do if we want to eat out is i just cooked more than what i have to when cooking on regular days. i buy bread, cheese, and patties instead of burgers at fastfood. and i learned to make my own breading better, so the fried chicken tastes better too.

kids bring packed lunch to school, it cost less than if they buy lunch there.

It is hard to become a better cook.I always learn how to cook from books and TV.
So I am also trying to live a frugal life.

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The biggest thing I've learned during all of this is how to tell my kids NO!!
I've also went and figured up which bills I can pay on to get rid of any balances, I took the high interest/service charge ones and decided to pay them off first, then I'll take the payment I was making on them to add to the next lower bill that I owe on, hopefully get the majority of them paid in full.

My life has been in recession for several years lol, and kitchen economies have played a major role in my life. Buying in bulk and cooking and freezing is one of the ways I found to economise: besides, one day of heavy cooking can mean two months of simple reheating thereafter, so it also economises on time. Using all leftovers is another obvious saving, as is using cheaper cuts of meat. Watching the daily specials at the supermarket also helps. We also keep chickens and grow some of our own fruit, vegetables, and herbs, but this is not an option for a lot of people.

About 9 months ago my partner and I decided it was time to do something about our weight, and we came up with the idea of basing our diet around soups. Our breakfast consists of our own eggs poached and served on home-cooked bread/toast. Lunches are soup with toast, and most evening meals are the same. We do eat "proper" meals twice a week for variety and necessary protein.

This allows the occasional splurge. Last night, for instance: it was my 65th birthday yesterday, so for dinner I cooked (I used to be a chef and my partner is only average in the kitchen, so I do most of the cooking) fillet steak with bearnaise sauce, accompanied by baked potatoes with bacon and shallots, and a tossed salad, followed by hot apple pie with chantilly cream and fresh strawberries. We washed the main down with a $30 bottle of good red.

Economies are good and often necessary, but a life without some luxuries ain't worth living.

Lash

Definately yes, of course I've always been like this so it's really nothing new to me but with the way things are now and having to be feed 7 of us yes I have to. alot of time I will get a whole roast or a whole chicken cause I can get anywhere from3 to 4 differnt meals out of it. I do something different with it each time. I've always said if I have some pasta or beans or rice I can make something out of it nothing I've done it so many times before, someone might look at it and say thats all but I can turn it into a full course meal for the family sometimes it takes a little thought but you would be surprised what you can come up with.

I have had my personal recession since my husband died 9 years ago. I continued working for about 3 years but they cut me down so it was retirement. I used to go to the hairdresser to dye my hair: now I do it myself and it´s the same. All leftovers in my kitchen are turned into another dish. I don´t like to eat the same everyday so I transform them. Omelettes and quiches have helped me a lot.
When veggies are in season, I put away some in the freezer. It´s more work but I have the time. I never buy canned food: I make my own meals from scratch.
As for clothes, I´d call most of them antiques. But fortunatly I know how to mix colours and make some changes and they look like new.
I Use less meat as you say, and buy when it´s on sale. I grind my own meat and mix red meat with pork meat (low priced cuts) to make my own hamburgers. I also buy chicken livers nad make a wonderful chicken pate. I always buy whole chicken as they are a lot cheaper and use every single part of them.
I love to cook and I still get luxuries in my life. I invite friends for diner. They love it and bring the wine. They, in turn, invite me out to the movies and to good restaurants.
I never buy anymore expensive cheese as appetizers: I make my own. Inexpensive and different.
Happy posting!

My meals are usually simpler and healthier nowadays. I don't use a lot of seasonings because thy're quite high in sodium. I try to incorporate more fruits and salads. I've also cut down on meat and instead used fish and squid in our meals.