Fresh, seasonal and local ingredients are often the most affordable. Daves foray at a local farmers market shows how you can weave seasonal summer products into your already existing pantry, thus saving money at the same time. Whether its using freshly harvested tomatoes or local blueberries, Dave makes every time of the year delicious and resourceful.
Grilling is always the least expensive route to a great meal. Utilizing a simple and affordable charcoal grill, Dave prepares a luscious barbecue meal for the gang without the financial pang. This episode highlights money-saving tips such as using marinades and rubs to make the most of inexpensive cuts of meat and the importance of getting to know your local butcher. Now you too can be the envy of your neighborhood, without losing your shirt!
A little planning ahead can make all the difference when watching your weekly budget. Dave discusses the pit-falls of coming home from work and having take-out because there is nothing to eat or cook with. He solves this dilemma by cooking several dishes on the weekend and saving them in the fridge and freezer for the mid-week crunch. He'll show you three one-pot main courses and a salad that can be prepped ahead leaving only one or two additional purchases to round out each meal. Recipes include: Boston Lettuce Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing, Moroccan Chickpea Stew, Braised Shoulder Lamb Chops with Kale and Beans and Red Wine Pot Roast.
Dave shows how much bang you can get for your bird when he throws a dinner party that can fit everyone's budget. His secret? He uses the leftovers from the previous night’s chicken rotisserie and rice dinner and creates a fabulous Latin-themed menu. There's no need to go to the supermarket because Dave shows you how to transform the leftover chicken into a couple of mouth-watering and economical dishes for later. Recipes Include: Chicken and Bean Puff Pasty Empanadas, Tomato Pineapple Salsa Fresca, Mexican Chicken Stew, Banana Fritters with Powdered Sugar.
What to do with all the leftover beer, wine and liquor after a party? For Dave, it's an opportunity to add a distinctive flavor to both savory and sweet recipes. Whether it's used in marinades, braising, or reduction–it sounds like another reason to throw a party, without making you tipsy. Recipes Include: Winey Figs, Prosciutto, and Ricotta Crostini, Fennel and Endive Salad with Rose Vinaigrette, Chicken with Prunes and Ale, Mini Chocolate Stout Cupcakes.
Throwing a picnic is one of the best low-cost ways to share a meal with friends during the summer. For many people, picnics bring to mind sandwiches, but for Dave a picnic is an opportunity to get creative with ethnic dishes that fit into any budget. Dave prepares a delicious gourmet picnic lunch in Central Park for a couple of friends and shares some great tips on sticking to a budget. Now life can be a picnic everyday, with a little inspiration from Dave.
The freezer may be the most forgotten element of the budget-conscious pantry. In this show, Dave will explore several dishes that can be crafted almost entirely from freezer ingredients. In Dave's market tip, he will discuss the benefits of stocking up with frozen vegetables in advance and getting the most out of your stash in the long run. Recipes Include: Butter Baby Pea Soup with Pan Grilled Bread, Baked Rigatoni with Ricotta and Spinach, Apple and Raisin Puff Pastry Strudel, Triple Berry Yogurt Smoothie.
Dave’s sister is getting married and he wants to throw her a special party, but his sister insists on paying for it and she doesn’t have a lot of money. Dave shows how you can create a memorable meal for a once-in-a-lifetime evening without busting your bank–or your sister’s. Dave even saves enough money to buy all the trimmings while keeping his budget in check.
Concoct fantastic frozen desserts without investing precious money in pricey tools and appliances. Dave will make an array of delightful decadences, including granita, ice cream sandwiches and popsicles. Recipes Include: Chocolate and Caramel Ice Cream Sandwiches with Nuts and Chocolate Chips, Creamy Banana Popsicles, Mini Lemon Poppy Seed Semi-Freddo Cupcakes, Pomegranate Granita.
A simple yet versatile sauce can make all the difference when you have to switch gears in the kitchen. Using industrious ingredients and adaptable recipes, Dave shows how keeping it simple can create multiple menus on a moderate income. Recipes Include: Pomodoro (Basic Tomato) Sauce, Bolognese over Gemelli Pasta, Chicken Simmered in BBQ Sauce, Haddock in Puttanesca Sauce with Seared Fingerling Potatoes.
No need to order delivery when you can whip up delicious meals straight from your pantry. Join Dave and his brother as they put together a casual Mediterranean meal complete with creative pizzas.
Dave demonstrates how you can pull together a creative and delicious meal from what’s already in your kitchen. This is "battle pantry." Dave invites the inspiration of his culinary career, his father, to test his culinary creativity by bringing over a basket of items culled from his pantry, freezer and fridge. In this episode Dave and his father will cook a four-course meal exclusively using ingredients found in almost any kitchen. Recipes: Arugula and Pear Salad With Dijon Sherry Vinaigrette, Seared Rainbow Trout Over Succotash, Challah Bread Pudding With Chocolate and Raisins, Rosemary Lemon Fizz.
There are many types of fish and seafood that mimic the texture and flavor of more expensive fare, but cost just half the amount. Dave's heading down the shore with a bunch of friends for a summer tradition: the seafood feast! Learn how to choose the right fish to fit your budget without sacrificing taste, since with Dave at the helm, saving money is a ‘shore’ thing.