The Thanksgiving Edition
Thanksgiving is just three weeks away and if this time of year gives you mixed emotions, you’re not alone. Maybe it’s your first time throwing a party, hosting dinner, cooking something for your company’s holiday party all of which can make you want to hide until it’s all over. Here are some of my tips for common dilemma’s during the holiday season-
Dilemma #1 Too Many Leftovers
Leftovers are Good
I wouldn’t consider any holiday meal a success without leftovers. So don’t think of them as your enemy each time you open the fridge. Consider them as your answer to a quick and easy meal. Two words we all want to hear post Thanksgiving Day.
Turkey-apart from turkey sandwiches, you can make turkey burritos, tacos. Turkey shepherd’s pie (also ideal for using up those mashed potatoes).
Or a turkey wrap…but don’t use a tortilla, instead use an actual slice of turkey as the wrap. Layer with mayo, mustard, lettuce and roll. And here’s a way to use up the leftover stuffing, pile it on a slice of turkey, roll, pour leftover gravy on top and heat through.
Stuffing- In my house the stuffing doesn’t stay around that long. And yes, I’ll make my confession here; I’m the person who eats some every time I open the fridge. If you should find yourself with lots of leftover stuffing, buy some portabella mushrooms and fill with leftover stuffing. You can also use the stuffing to fill peppers, or make a slit in chicken breasts or pork chops and fill with stuffing.
Veggies-Mash together and roll into patties, then roll in egg wash, coat with seasoned breadcrumbs and sauté until golden brown. Children really love them too.
Dilemma #2 Hosting a Holiday Party
If you’re neither a gourmet cook or have a huge budget, here are some ideas-
Host a Wine and Cheese Party-
The best place to buy cheese is a warehouse store. They offer the best prices and you can buy in bulk. However, if you don’t have a membership, see if you can get a one day pass or have a friend you can tag along with.
Make sure there is something for everyone’s taste. Sharp and mild cheddar, Gouda, even a mozzarella. And some people like soft ripened cheeses like Brie. Pair everything with a selection of breads, crackers and some fruit like apples and grapes. And if you don’t want to serve or can’t afford wine, try some of the sparkling fruit juices that are just as good.
Have a Brunch- Brunch, or basically jazzed up breakfast items don’t cost as much as those needed for a formal sit down dinner. Fruit juice, muffins, cheeses, sausages, eggs, a couple of casseroles, maybe a cake, pie, or just a fruit platter.
Have a Progressive Dinner- I remember back to my days at university when I lived in an apartment with three other roommates. It was a popular spot for students and the owners held lots of social events so we all got to know one another. One event was a progressive dinner. Three apartments were matched up and had to arrange a progressive dinner party. The first one would host the appetizer, the next one the main entrée, the next the dessert and drinks. We went from one apartment to the next eating our way through the evening. You can do the same thing with your friends or family. It’s also the ideal time of the year for this type of dinner because you get to see how everyone’s decorated his or her house. And the bottom line is you spread the cost and preparation time with everyone else.
Dilemma #3-Contributing to the Office Party
I know lots of people just stop by their local store and pick up a meat or cheese platter, but they can be pricey. They’re easy to put together yourself and this is where the trick of knowing how to present foods can really save you a penny or two. Cheese and meats can be given a nice holiday theme, by using holiday cookie cutters to cut deli slices and cheese. A Christmas tree, bell, etc. Another idea is to put a few sprigs of herbs on the platter; rosemary and thyme look very festive. Remember when everyone used to bring a cheese ball to a party? They’re back in fashion, but during the holidays they can be rolled in parsley and paprika to give them the look of the season. Even brownie and cakes that have originated in a box can look really fancy if you use some imagination. Maybe make appetizer sized pieces, or once again cut them out with holiday themed cutters. And how about a fruit platter with a dip, don’t serve it in a bowl, but try a scooped out orange, or a pomegranate.
Entertaining on A Budget
Keeping with the holiday theme idea, here are a few more suggestions for entertaining while staying within your budget.
Vegetables
One thing that always gives me a bad case of sticker shock is those vegetable platters sold in supermarkets. I don’t know about your local store, but last year the ones in my neighborhood were selling veggie and fruit platters starting at $25. I haven’t looked at this year’s prices, but I suspect it will be at least a couple of dollars more. Okay, so it’s really nice to have someone else do all the work for you, but I think the profit margin on this type of item is huge. It doesn’t take long to put together one yourself… baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, etc. And dips are just about the easiest thing to throw together.
Brunch
Who says brunch has to be served only mid morning on a Sunday? Some of my favorite dishes like quiches are great any day or time. Plus these types of dishes are much easier on both the cook and budget. Many can be put together the day before and then cooked just before your guests arrive.
Desserts
Every holiday celebration needs something sweet. Even if you’re not much of a cook, here are a few ways to make it look like you spent all day baking. Buy a plain cheesecake, bake or buy a sheet of brownies and a pound cake. Get some cookie cutters and cut out various shapes from each of these goodies. The cheesecake can be topped with frozen fruits (defrost first), the brownies can be topped with canned black cherries and whipped topping and pound cake goes well with some of that tropical fruit salad you can buy in cans and some toasted coconut. Serve them on a platter and I bet your guests will be asking who catered your party. And as for drinks, I like to serve various fruit juices that guests can either drink as is or add things like a Sprite or 7-Up. They’re especially appreciated by the designated drivers in the group and children really enjoy them too.
Decorations
Not really food related, but they add to the success of the party. One decoration I came up with a few years ago was to use stacks of cookies that double as a food item and guests can dissemble throughout the party. Here’s another money saving tip I came up with a few years ago, instead of buying place setting tags save those plastic holders that florists put with flower arrangements and write the guests name on a piece of paper and put it in the holder. They’re also ideal for buffets; you can write the name of the recipe by each dish so no one takes something they don’t like or worse still something they’re allergic to. I always like to offer each guest just an inexpensive gift at the table. One of my favorite gifts is tea. I take four individually wrapped tea bags and secure them together with raffia and put them on each person’s plate or if it’s buffet style in a basket by the plates. Christmas ‘themed’ teas work well. You can buy ones such as eggnog, gingerbread… it’s thoughtful gift for pennies.
And Now to this Month’s Is There A Cheaper Alternative?
Okay, ground beef isn’t a budget breaker and lots of people turn to it when they’re trying to save a few pennies, but one thing that’s even cheaper is tofu. I know lots of people don’t think they’ll like it but there is a trick to preparing that makes it taste really good. Recently I got a tofu cookbook and one of the book’s suggestions is to freeze the tofu and then defrost it. I was skeptical at first but I have to say it gives the tofu a denser, more chewy and meat like consistency. Another trick I’ve learned is to marinade it before you use it. I’ve been substituting it for ground beef in everything from shepherd’s pie to pot pies. Just the other night I made tacos with it and have to say it was delicious…and no leftovers.
Thinking Ahead
You know I always say one way to save money on groceries is to plan your meals and grocery shopping a couple of weeks at a time. Here’s a nifty and cheap item that can keep you on track. I purchased it at my local Michael’s craft store while I was shopping for the calendars I mentioned the other week. Just a $1 and so budget friendly that you could pick up a bunch of them. It has a magnetic back so I keep mine on the refrigerator
Eating With The Seasons
If you want some good buys this month check out-
The best of the bunch: avocados, beets, tangerines, mandarins, Anjou pears, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery.
At their peek: sweet potatoes, cranberries, winter squash, yams, Bosc pears, dill.
Coming to the end of their peak season: green beans, garlic, leeks, parsnips, sweet peppers, apples, almonds, pecans.
Best of the Web
Here are some of my favorite articles I found on the Internet this month-
Apple season might be winding down but you’ll want to check out this article-
Budget Friendly Comfort Food
On those days when it seems everything’s going wrong there’s always a grilled cheese sandwich and best of all, it’s an expensive meal-
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/5-tips-for-the-ultimate-grilled-cheese-2394160/
Slow Cooker Desserts
Every Budget Smart Girl should own a slow cooker and did you know you can even create desserts in them too-
Another Budget Friendly Appliance
Another one of my favorite appliances is the chest freezer, this article tells you how long food is good for-
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/150/how-long-can-you-freeze-food.html
Are you Over-paying?
Do you ever wonder if you paid too much for something or a service?-
http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/111079/things-we-overpay-for?mod=bb-
Remodeling
Here’s something that’s been on my wish list for years, remodeling the kitchen…looks like it can be done on a budget too-
http://shine.yahoo.com/event/financiallyfit/the-cheapskates-guide-to-kitchen-remodeling-2362622/
Green Cleaning and a Refund
I hate those cleaning products that require you to buy new mop heads and cloths and cleaning liquid every few months. Not only is it a waste of money but they fill landfills too. The other day I saw a floor cleaning mop from Libman that uses a microfiber mop that you can wash and reuse over and over again. Plus, you can fill it with the floor cleaner (yes, even homemade) of your choice. Added bonus a $5 rebate. Mine cost me $19.99 at Target, check out the Freedom Spray Mop at http://www.libman.com/.They also have a contest you can enter for a chance to win a trip to New York.
Have a good month and a happy Thanksgiving.
