Money-saving food tips

Since the title of this blog includes the word "BROKE," I think it's time you earned some tips on how to shop and keep kosher broke. This is in lieu of a recipe today, but I think these tips are worthwhile.

Here are Reina's best tips on how to do kashrut and other shopping on the cheap:

* Look at the unit price of each item, or how much each serving costs. For example, if a $1.50 box of pasta has eight servings, it actually costs approximately $0.19 per serving. Most grocery stores list them, but if yours doesn't, just divide the price by the amount of servings.

* Reconsider your proteins. Certain cuts of meat are much more expensive than others. In the kosher world, I find ground turkey to be a cheaper cut of meat, as well as ground beef. You can also get whole and cut-up chickens for not too much money, and they will last you a long time.

* Other cuts of meat that I like: London Broil and skirt steak (it will last you for many meals, cooks quickly and isn't that much at a kosher market), pepper steak and chicken thighs. Chicken breasts are a little more money, but I save a ton if I buy a bulk package and freeze them into their own separate portions. Bison is a low-fat option that is emerging in the kosher world, but be wary of the price.

* If all else fails, if your kosher market is fortunate enough to have a butcher, talk to them about pricing on your meats.

* Don't forget vegetarian options. When we were children, my mother would make us beans and rice, like her mother did when they were poor. Not only are they tasty and inexpensive, but they have lots of nutrients. Tofu and "mock meats" are cheap and a good source of protein, so don't hesitate to cook with them to replace meat several times a week.

* Buy seasonal fruits and vegetables. It's a lot less money than in the off-season, when they have to be shipped in from different parts of the world. However, certain items -- staples like potatoes, onions, garlic, celery, lettuce and carrots -- tend to have a lower price tag no matter the season. I'm particularly loving potatoes right now, as they're filling and have a ton of nutrients in them.

* Canned and frozen items are inexpensive and major timesavers in the kitchen. Stock up on canned corn, beans and tuna, or get spinach, broccoli and peas in the freezer aisle. For those who can't find kosher canned beans, purchase dried beans and rehydrate them when you're ready. The nutrients are still there and they will last longer than fresh items. Just remember: For canned items, drain and rinse them in order to get rid of that in-the-can taste.

* Look to your backyard. If you have the space and a green thumb, grow your own fruits and vegetables. If you feel uncomfortable, start with herbs: You can save lots of money by growing your own basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme or oregano versus buying them at a store. Tomatoes are also an easy-to-grow option.

* Certain kosher grocery items are much cheaper to purchase at a kosher market than at your regular one. I find that items such as kosher boullion, breadcrumbs and marshmallows are much cheaper there.

* Do a price comparison of your local grocery stores. Take a look at your reciepts from each place, and don't be afraid to talk to your neighbors about their preferences and the reputations of some of the shops. For example, I found that, through price comparison, Trader Joe's happens to be my lowest price option, along with Vons and my local farmers' market.

* I have heard from many people that one of the best ways to save money is to shop the perimeter of a grocery store. Supposedly, the most nutritious and lower-cost items are in this area. I don't always think that this actually works. But it is worth a try to see how much you save and how healthy you eat.

* If all else fails, do it the old-fashioned way: Look at sales at your local grocery store and clip coupons from your local newspaper. There are also sites that specialize in coupons (such as my friend Nicole at The Frugalista Diva), so you will be able to get coupons from there, too.

Enjoy!