Before there was a Food Network, there were lots of cooking shows on PBS. I used to watch a few of them when my kids had their naptime. 
My favorite shows didn't just present recipes; they also shared techniques for cooking and for saving money. One of these was a show out of Roanoke, Virginia called Cookin' Cheap.
The guys who cooked on this show were not ashamed to open cans and boxed mixes on the air. In fact, it was a rare recipe that didn't include a can or box of something. Watching that show, I learned a very important money-saving (and sanity-saving) tip: don't rip open the bag that's inside the box. If you do, the contents will fly everywhere and you'll lose ingredients--and make a big mess. Instead, use scissors! The Cookin' Cheap guys learned this the hard way, which made for a very funny TV moment--but they lost almost half a package of cake mix in the process.
And while most of the Food Network chefs don't seem to own a measuring cup or spoon, it's a good idea to measure your ingredients if you want to save money. Otherwise, you might use more than you needed to. "Eyeballing" ingredients usually means that you'll be more generous in your use of those ingredients than the recipe requires. So if you want your food (especially baked goods) to turn out right, always measure!
When you save money on ingredients, you'll have money left over for cookware!
COUPON TIME
Receive a $30 Gift Card with the purchase of a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer at Sur LaTable 
Details can be found under Special Offers in the Sale section.
Valid through: March 27, 2010
See other Sur La Table coupons!
10% off select Roasted Garlic products at StonewallKitchen.com 
Use this link to view eligible items. Discounts will appear on item pages.
Valid through: March 31, 2010
See other Stonewall Kitchen coupon codes!
One Response to “Saving Money in the Kitchen”
I love a cook who is "real". Someone who uses the mixes that I can pick up with a coupon or really good sale at my local grocery store. I still watch "America's test kitchen"