How to Bake More While Spending Less: 4 Frugal Tips
When it comes to baking, spending less doesn’t always mean skimping on the ingredients. In fact, by following a few frugal tips, you can bake more while spending less. Here are four of the best tips to follow when baking.
Use ingredients in season
Baking is a great way to use fresh ingredients, and it’s also a great way to save money. Here are some tips for baking using ingredients that are in season:
1. Choose fruits and vegetables that are in season. As they will be cheap to buy and have more flavour. Farmer’s markets and grocery stores will sell local produce and shopping at these stores reduces transportation costs so you will be reducing your carbon foodprint.
2. Bake bread products from scratch. When you have finished baking your loaves or buns, try storing them in a bread box to keep them longer. If you really have no time, buy bread, breadsticks, rolls, muffins, scones, etc. frozen instead of fresh. Frozen products are often less expensive than pre-made products, and they cook faster, so you can eat them right away. Use old bread to make pudding or breadcrumbs that can be used in other recipes. Never waste anything.
3. Cook with fresh herbs and spices instead of using pre-made mixes or store-bought rubs and sauces. These fresh ingredients will be more flavourful because they’re not transported as far from the source as ready made products are.
Cut down on the amount of sugar
If you’re looking to cut down on the amount of sugar, one simple way is to swap out some of the sugar for something else. Use honey or agave nectar instead of regular sugar. These sweeteners have fewer calories and carbs, and therefore can be a good substitute. Try using malt extract or other low-carb sweeteners instead of sugar. These options are often used in baking because they contribute flavour without adding extra calories or carbs.
Consider using stevia as your main sweetener. This zero-calorie, carb-free option works well in most recipes. Be sure to read the ingredients list before cooking with it, as some brands have additives that can affect how it behaves in food. You can even look for a bulk chocolate distributor that sells stevia-sugar blends, which will make it easier for you to cut down on sugar in your cooking. Plus, these blends often contain antioxidants and other health benefits.
Some replacements of sugar might be more costly but you can reduce the amount of sugar called for in a recipe by about 25%. This might not be noticeable if it’s an ingredient that isn’t meant to be very sweet. It could also help you cut down on calories and carbs without sacrificing flavour.
If you do decide to cut back on the sugar in your baked goods, try finding and using the most accurate food scale so that you know much you have actually added to the recipe.
Freeze leftovers for another day
If you’re like most people, you probably have a lot of leftovers from your meals. But instead of just tossing them in the fridge and forgetting about them, how about freezing? Here are four ways to freeze leftovers and we don’t just talk about baking:
1. In a baking dish, layer various types of leftovers as follows : firstly, a layer of cooked meat or vegetables, secondly a layer of cooked rice or pasta, then another layer of fresh ingredients (i.e. fruits, veggies) and finally, frosting or sauce. This way, you’ll have a meal that’s ready to go whenever you are!
2. Make mini quiches by filling small muffin cups with leftover cooked meats, poultry, seafood, or vegetables. Bake the quiches until they’re firm but still slightly flexible in the center (10-15 minutes).
3. Chop up your leftover cooked meats and store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days. Alternatively, freeze them overnight on a sheet tray lined with wax paper. Once frozen solid, transfer the pieces to an airtight container for easy storage.
4. Forgo saucing or frosting on your leftover dishes and simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before storing them in the freezer for later use.
Store your food in an airtight container to keep it fresh
Storing your baked food in airtight containers will help to retain freshness. Not only will this help to keep food looking and tasting great, but it will also prevent spoilage and contamination. Firstly, make sure that your containers are airtight by using a sealant or by filling them completely with air. Next, label your containers with the contents and the date stored. Finally, store your food in a cool, dry place or the freezer. Keep in mind that food will taste fresher if eaten within a few days of being stored.
Conclusion
Baking can be a great way to use your time and ingredients to create elegant, delicious food. It can also be expensive, especially if you are looking to bake big batches of recipes. Keep in mind these four tips when baking to reduce your costs and still produce great-tasting food.