(Mission Times Courier, San Dego, CA) - As the cost of putting food on the table continues to soar, families are looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing taste or nutrition. It seems the price of everyday staples such as eggs and bread are increasing by the minute.
A New York Times article reports the price of bread rose by 12 percent and eggs by 25 percent over the past year. ABC News also reports that food prices could jump by another 20 percent next year, according to the USDA Price Forecast. But a renowned Los Angeles-based chef says families can still afford a nutritious, delicious meal this Thanksgiving. Bret Thompson, executive chef of famed restaurant MILK, is teaming up with GOT MILK? to share milk-based gourmet holiday recipes that feed a family of 10 for about 50 to 80 cents per person per dish.
Exclusively available on www.gotmilk.com, Thompson invents palate-tempting milk-based side dish creations like sweet potato gratin with sage and creamed spinach with a parmesan crust to compliment a traditional turkey dinner. The gourmet Thanksgiving recipes also incorporate low fat milk, spinach and almonds - foods considered most nutritious according to the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System.
The NuVal system is a rating guide developed by top-ranked nutritionists from around the world, using a number score from one to 100 (with 100 being the best score) to indicate the nutritional quality of a specific food. It places skim milk at 91 as one of the top of ranked beverages. And because Thompson’s recipes feature ingredients that are widely available on special, in bulk or are already cupboard staples, families are able to get the most bang for their buck.
“Families are looking for bargains more than ever, but still want a holiday meal that will please everyone,” says Thompson. “Milk is a key ingredient to traditional Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts, packing nutrition while adding the texture and creaminess everyone craves. I’m thrilled to be able to share healthier menu options that are high on taste, but don’t cost a lot of money.”
Thompson’s menu includes a twist to traditional Thanksgiving comfort foods like creamy green beans with caramelized onions and toasted almonds. His version conserves the creaminess of the dish with a much lower fat content while adding a delicious nutty crunch thanks to the toasted almonds. For a Latin twist, Thompson also created a velvety corn soup with grilled corn pico de gallo.
“You wouldn’t know these delicious gourmet recipes are low fat and cost from 50-80 cents per serving,” says Steve James, executive director of the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creators of GOT MILK? “Chef Thompson shows that families don’t have to go to a five-star restaurant to experience epicurean delights. He truly offers a champagne menu on a milk budget!”
Thompson also says desserts don’t have to be sinful, packed with calories and fat to taste great either. For GOT MILK?, he creates a stunningly mouth-watering pumpkin profiteroles with pie spice sauce as well as an apple cranberry bread pudding.
“Our hope is that families will recreate these recipes at home and make them part of their holiday tradition for generations to come,” says James.
For Thompson’s nutritious, gourmet and affordable recipes as well as tips on how to save money while shopping for groceries this holiday season, visit www.gotmilk.com .
Top 10 Money Saving Shopping Tips
1. Plan meals – Plan a week’s worth of meals and stick to a grocery list. If you know what you are going to cook and serve for the week, then only buy what you need and can afford.
2. Promotional Giveaways – Watch out for sales. During the holidays, many supermarkets offer freebies such as a bird or ham. Other stores sell popular holiday items at a reduced price.
3. Check-Out Markdowns – Markdowns can save as much as 50 percent off the original price. Ask the store manager when meat, dairy, bread and produce could be marked down.
4. Buy Frozen Fruits & Vegetable – Buy vegetables frozen rather than fresh to cut cost without sacrificing nutrition. According to a University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering, frozen vegetables and fruits are actually more nutritious than their fresh counterparts. The flash-freezing technology is responsible for trapping the vitamins immediately after the produce has ripened which helps maintain flavor and tenderness. They last longer too.
5. Buy Nutritious Foods – Buy foods with lots of nutritional value like low fat or nonfat milk, spinach, broccoli, oranges and apple. These items are packed with vitamins and nutrients which could go a long way in keeping families healthy.
6. Buy in Bulk – If you know you need a lot of one item, why not check out a warehouse discount store. Savings from these stores can be tremendous, as much as 20 to 30 percent compared to supermarkets or department stores.
7. Buy Store Brand – Consider buying store brand rather than manufacturer brands. Savings on items could cut your families’ annual grocery bill by as much as 40 percent.[1]
8. Coupons – Look for coupons in the newspaper, magazines, mailbox, store mailers and online. Monitor www.thegrocerygame.com, www.coupons.com, www.coolsavings.com and other sites for money saving coupons. You can save hundreds of dollars a year.
9. Shop around – Consumers may want to check out weekly specials at different markets and compare prices to stretch grocery dollars.
10. Make Use of Leftovers – Don’t throw away leftovers just yet. Consider shredding leftover chicken, for example, for enchiladas or taquitos to create a whole new meal.
