20 inexpensive recipes to cook in February

With prices continuing to rise, the food bill is at the heart of household concerns. Choice of products, recipes but also cooking methods, everything has an impact on the final bill. Food waste in particular which can have repercussions on the food budget. Between products that expire in the fridge, the end of the plate thrown in the trash, or unused peelings, ultimately it’s a few euros each time that end up in the dumpster.

Buy smart

Among the tips for saving a few euros, we note products with a short date and those called “ugly”. The first, often meat, fish, or yogurt, must be consumed during the day or the next day, because the date is coming to an end. As for ugly products, these are oversized fruits and vegetables, which did not pass the casting of the brand’s requirements. They certainly do not correspond to the specifications imposed, but that does not mean that they are any less good. And carrots mixed into soups, ugly or not – beauty is in the eyes of the beholder -, will remain excellent!

Also, if we do not know how to recycle the peelings of certain fruits and vegetables, we favor organic products, which we brush well before use, and some of which can retain their skin, like carrots. Saving time, energy, and above all less waste on the menu.

The importance of reading labels

Reading the labels is essential, and the price per kilo, essential. This way, we can really see the “real” price of the food. When packaged, the product is often not by the kilo, and the weight is easily forgotten, which distorts the data. Also, sometimes, manufacturers change the weight of their product, for example, chocolate bars. So a tablet that weighed 100g a few years ago has increased to 90 or even 80g. The final price has only a slight impact on the score, but the weight of the product has decreased. This is why it is better to look at the price per kilo.

Also, buying raw, seasonal products and cooking them is often less expensive than prepared meals which quickly add to the cost. However, with inflation and depending on the brand, you must nevertheless look at the prices carefully so as not to be surprised.

Chicken, eggs, shrimp, but also winter vegetables in all varieties, accompany us this month. Discover 20 delicious and effective recipes.