5 TIPS FOR GROCERY SHOPPING AND COOKING ON A BUDGET

 

We can all eat well – no matter what our financial constraints are. It’s just a matter of getting creative with menu planning and using a few handy techniques to save money at the store.

Here are my favorite tricks to eat great food on a budget!

1. PLAN YOUR MEALS
Sitting down on a Sunday or Monday to plan your meals for the week saves a ton of time and money. Having a set plan means you don’t have to do the whole “I’m hungry! What should we make? What do I have in the fridge? What do we feel like eating?” routine every time you’re ready for dinner. It also means you don’t have to worry about finding uses for a bunch of random ingredients hanging out in your fridge – buy only what you need to make the meals on your list, and you’ll have exactly what you need on hand exactly when you need it. Meal planning saves time and helps you cut down on food waste (which is basically just like throwing money into the trash! Which, umm, we don’t want to be doing). Need some inspiration as you plan your meals for the week? Check out the TODAY Food Club’s newsletter for weekly meal plans and shopping lists to get you started!

2. MAKE A LIST
Me at the grocery store without a list = dangerous. Not only do I end up bringing home food I don’t actually need, I end up forgetting the food I actually went to the store for. (Fail). Use your meal plan as a starting point for your grocery list and add any other necessities as needed. I like to keep a post-it on my fridge and write things down as I run out of them – like milk, eggs, etc. – so I don’t forget anything important!

3. SET A BUDGET
To set an initial budget, take a look at what you’re already spending on groceries each week. It helps to set goals here: do you want to reduce your grocery spending by $50? Spend less money on processed foods? Buy more fresh produce? Use these goals to help you make cuts and adjustments to your current purchasing habits. Then use an app like Mint (or a good ol’ fashioned spreadsheet!) to keep track of your spending so you know how much money is left in your budget each time you’re at the store.

4. SET ASIDE SOME “FUN” MONEY
Allocate a little bit of your grocery budget for non-list items that call your name once you actually get to the store. See some purple asparagus that would go PERFECTLY with the pot roast you’re planning for Tuesday? Use that flexible piece of your grocery budget to snap it up guilt-free.

5. FIND A COOKING COMMUNITY

Even the most well-organized, budget-savvy shoppers among us have days where shopping and budgeting and cooking are each the 100% very last thing you want to do today. Engaging with online communities like blogs (hi there!) or the TODAY Food Club (TFC) are awesome ways to keep yourself motivated – and excited! – to cook healthy meals at home. The TFC even takes it a step further by featuring selected members on the TODAY show, their website, and social channels – plus you can earn contributor badges for your own website (LIKE ONLINE GIRL SCOUTS! Or, more awesomely, online Pawnee Goddesses. Who’s with me?!) The free TFC newsletter, 5-day-meal plans (HELLO TIME SAVER FOR US LAZY FOLK) and shopping lists (AGAIN WITH THE TIME SAVING) are just icing on the cake. Facebook groups, Twitter chats, and good ol’ fashioned potluck dinner parties are also good ways to connect with other busy budgeters for food-related moral support. We’re all in this together!

Guide To Choose The Right Mixer Grinder For Your Kitchen

 

Mixer grinder is one of the most common appliances in every household. But varieties of grinders in the market make it tough for us to choose the right one for our kitchen. Here's a guide to help you out.

In today's fast paced world, most of us are often pressed for time. Multi-tasking is the only 'mantra' that can help us to keep up the pace. Hence to make our daily chores quick and comfortable, technology has blessed us with several essentials, and one of those is a mixer grinder. No one can deny the power of a good mixer grinder in our kitchen. From grinding masalas to making juices, shakes and chutneys, a grinder is a boon for all. There are several types of grinders available in the market that often leaves us confused as to which one is the right fit for our kitchen.

To bid the confusions adieu, here are a few mixer grinder options which can be of good use:

1. Philips HL7756/00 750-Watt Mixer Grinder with 3 Jars (Black)

Philips is a brand that several people swear by. It is known for providing good quality appliances in the market for years. Talking about their mixer grinder, it can be considered to be value for money. It comes with leak-proof jars and makes the grinding experience smooth and hassle-free

2. Wonderchef 400 Watt Nutri-Blend Mixer Grinder

If you are looking for something handy and sleek, this mixer grinder is the one for you! It is compact and can fit in any corner in your kitchen. Wonderchef 400 Watt Nutri-Blend Mixer Grinder is apt for making juices, shakes and smoothies for a quick breakfast during busy mornings.

3. Preethi Zodiac MG 218 750-Watt Mixer Grinder

Right from kneading atta to grinding spices to mincing meat, Preethi Zodiac MG 218 Mixer Grinder has multiple usages. This appliance comes with 3 jars, including including a storage jar in a combo.

4. Sujata Powermatic Plus 900 Watts Juicer Mixer Grinder

Sujata is an affordable brand, and this particular mixer is perhaps one of the most efficient mixer grinders in the market. It can run smoothly for 90 minutes, hence can be a good option for longer usages.

KFC Original Recipe Chicken

 

KFC Original Recipe Chicken decoded by a food reporter and republished with all 11 herbs and spices to make picture perfect KFC chicken at home! 
KFC Original Recipe Chicken has been a huge part of my childhood. As a kid my aunt would walk me home from school and we would stop at the KFC that was a half a block from my school. We’d share chicken and a strawberry parfait they used to sell. Unlike the Pioneer Chicken that my mom used to buy, this food memory is one I can still enjoy anytime I wanted.

So why make a copycat recipe of it if you have one a mile down the road? Well, A: Copycat recipes are a ton of fun and B: Way, way, way, way higher quality. Have you been to a KFC in the last decade? I’ve only been a few times but was disappointed each time because the chicken pieces have shrunken… a lot. Also, and hey to each his own (I’m definitely guilty of my fair share of food sins), but KFC uses MSG in the recipe for its KFC Original Recipe Chicken. Oh, and last thing, as far as fast food goes, it tends to be pretty pricy.

KFC Original Recipe Chicken

KFC Original Recipe Chicken uncovered by a food reporter from Colonel Sander's nephew and republished with all 11 herbs and spices to make picture perfect KFC chicken at home

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 tablespoon dried basil leaves
• 1/3 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
• 1 tablespoon celery salt
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried mustard
• 3 tablespoons paprika (original recipe calls for 4 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons garlic salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 3 tablespoons ground white pepper
• 2 teaspoons Accent Seasoning , optional (I left this out)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg
• 1 chicken , cut into 10 pieces (2 wings, 2 legs, 2 thighs and 2 breasts each cut in half to make 4 breast pieces)
• vegetable oil for frying
  
  

Instructions

• Note: click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.

  1. Add the spices to a small food processor until they're all uniform in size and the thyme, basil and oregano aren't larger in size anymore.
  2. Add the flour in a bowl with all the herbs and spices and mix with a whisk.
  3. In a second larger bowl add the buttermilk and egg together and whisk until combined.

  4. Add the chicken to the buttermilk mixture for 20-30 minutes.

  5. Remove chicken from the buttermilk soak and let any excess buttermilk drip off.
  6. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture on all sides, then shake off the excess coating.

  7. Let it rest on a cookie sheet for 20-30 minutes.

  8. Add oil to a deep fryer or a large pot that is at least 5 inches high so that the chicken can be fully submerged.

  9. Heat the oil to 350 degrees and fry in small batches for 15-18 minutes.

  10. Remove the chicken from the oil and add to a drying rack on top of a clean cookie sheet.
  11. If you add it to a paper towel or newspaper the bottom of the chicken will steam from the heat and become soft.
      
      

Recipe Notes

• 1. So here it is, in all its glory. I did make a couple of adjustments in my side by side comparison during recipe testing. More details of how/why available in the post above this recipe card.

     I ditched the MSG.
     I reduced the paprika by 1 tablespoon.
     I pulverized the thyme, basil and oregano in my small food processor.
     I added more oil

     Thanks so much to the awesome folks at the Chicago Tribune for this KFC Original Recipe Chicken "copycat."

Top 10 Indian Destinations Popular with Foreign Tourists

1. Agra

There is a desire among travellers to visit all wonders of the world in their lifetime. That surely includes the Taj Mahal at Agra, one of most main destinations of Golden Triangle Tour Packages. The crowning jewel of the Mughal Era, The Taj Mahal is obviously the major draw, however other Agra attractions such as Agra Fort, Akbar’s Tomb, Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh, Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri also see significant foreign tourist footfall and it is one of the popular weekend getaways near Delhi.

2. Delhi

The national capital comes close to Agra in terms of foreign visitors. Apart from diplomatic and business visits, foreigners flock to high value architectural wonders like Qutub Minar, India Gate, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb and Red Fort.

3. Hampi

When a foreign tourist decides to visit India, he/she looks at the most distinctive locations in India that are likely to enrich their journey. The celebrated UNESCO Heritage site, group of monuments at Hampi are high up on foreign tourist radar owing to their otherworldly appeal and stunning architecture. Virupaksha Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Stone Chariot, Krishna Temple, Royal Enclosure, Zenana Enclosure and Hazara Rama Temple are the most visited and highly revered in the foreign tourist circuits as well as architecture and history aficionados.

4. Goa

The party hub of India, incessantly swarmed by foreign tourists, Goa is one of most visited by foreign nationals. The myriad night beach party zones, cozy little shacks, pristine beaches of international standards, thrilling adventure sports, delectable cuisine and a thriving young culture makes Goa a foreign hotspot. Numerous Russians and Europeans visit Goa every year as a rule. Goa’s hospitable locals certainly help the footfall. Goa is also one of the best destination for couples for their Honeymoon tour.

5. Kerala

The healing and rejuvenating luxurious Ayurvedic spa treatments in Kochi and Trivandrum, the calm and serene backwaters of Alleppey, the tea estates of Munnar, beaches of Kollam, the lush forests, flora and fauna of Wayanad, the breathtaking views in Thekkady – Kerala has always offered a unique slice of India to international travellers.

Foreigners especially love the greenery that abounds in the state as well as delicious, authentic Kerala cuisine and its unique South Indian cultural heritage.

6. Jodhpur

International tourists love the ethnic charm of Jodhpur. The ethereal ‘Blue City’ of India, known for its majestically constructed massive fort of Mehrangarh steeped in history, has always fascinated foreign tourists looking to explore the quintessential historic gems of India. Tourists are also drawn to ancient Clock Tower, Jaswant Thada and Umaid Bhawan Palace, aside from the gorgeous Rajasthani handcrafted art jewellery, ethnic clothing and specialty souvenir items. The ‘Blue’ homes of Jodhpur are the photographer’s delight.

7. Jaipur

The most treasured jewel of historical India, the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur charms the foreign tourists with its unparalleled architectural landmarks the pink sand-stoned Hawa Mahal that looks like a surreal honeycomb and the hill fort called Amer Fort that is the finest example of Rajputana military architecture, along with Jaigarh Fort, City Palace and the astronomical designs of Jantar Mantar. The city is a thriving hub of traditional Indian handicraft, jewellery, art and sculpture.

8. Dharamshala

The seat of Buddhism in India, Dharamshala is one of the most loved foreign tourist spots in India. Spiritual seekers, expats, and regular foreign tourists throng the place to learn about Buddhism and practice it under a master. It is also famous because of its quiet charm, spectacular mountain landscape, adventure activities, local cafe culture, and generally relaxed vibe. Foreign visitors are especially interested in Norbulingka Monastery, Triund Hill trek, and the Dalai Lama Temple Complex.

9. Varanasi

India’s most famous religious and pilgrimage destination, known in the west as a photographer’s mecca, Varanasi is visited by foreign nationals for several reasons. It offers a newness that common tourist spots fail to do – its unique ghats with awe-inspiring evening aartis, the sunrise and sunset boat rides in the holy waters of the Ganges, the sights of Indian mystics and sadhus performing yoga and meditation, its old world charm and the transformative experience of observing the Indian culture at its liveliest.

10. Rishikesh

The Yoga capital of India, Rishikesh is one of the most favorited destinations by foreign tourists visiting India. Apart from its exciting water sports opportunities, Rishikesh offers affordable yoga retreats in India. A lot of people come to enjoy the meditative ambience of the town set against the backdrop of the Ganges and indulge in Ayurvedic spa treatments. You will find the streets of Rishikesh drenched in holy chants, local Indian folks and plenty of bohemian cafes where foreigners just chill and enjoy the views.

As a foreigner in India, the tourist looks for heritage, spiritual, ethnic and historical delights. India caters to them all equally and then some. As far as accommodation is concerned, majority of foreign tourists prefer a budget stay that offers cleanliness, amenities and convenience. Treebo Hotels is India’s top-rated budget chain hotel. No matter where your destination, Treebo’s promise is ‘Perfect Stay Or Don’t Pay.’ Enjoy comfortable rooms, best in-class service, wholesome breakfast and assured room amenities. Book from any part of the world & experience the best stay.

5 of the Most Beautiful Countries in the World

5. Italy

Few countries match the beauty of Italy. From the mountains of Trentino, the sparkling coast of Amalfi, to the rolling vineyards of Chianti. The ruins of the Romans scatter the countryside creating a connection between the country and its past. Cities such as Venice, Florence, and Rome throb with romance while rooftop villages create a sense of the history. Italian food is excellent, and a visit to the country is not complete without tasting the bottarga and lasagna dishes.

4. Ireland

Ireland is not the first choice tourist destination for many people due to its mild and moist climate. However, the climate contributes to the Irish countryside's green fields and vibrant moss plants. The outdoor experience is unmatched, with hilltop walks and quiet lakes that clear the “cobwebs” from the foggiest mind. Ireland is also known for its beautiful sandy beaches and rocky coastlines. The cities of Dublin and Cork present the state's ancient culture, so does the local cuisine.

3. India

India’s magnificent terrain ranges from the breathtaking stretch of the peaks of the Himalayas to the beaches of the Indian Ocean. The national parks of the country provide a habitat for various species of wild animals and birds including the endangered Bengal tigers, Asian lions, and Asian elephants. The slope of the Himalayas is blanketed by alpine forests that stretch for hundreds of miles. The country also has deserts, plateaus, long rivers, and a great diversity of cultures. All this and more attract tourists to India from far and wide.

2. United States

The United States is an enormous country with diverse natural features. It is the second most visited country in the world by foreign tourists. Unique, attractive infrastructures characterize the cities of the United States. The Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Parks are just but two of the parks that offer refuge to animals. Most foreigners are attracted by the American urban experience and therefore travel to major cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.
1. Canada

Canada is a beautiful country that serves as a wild, urban, and romantic destination. The country's beautiful scenery includes valleys, mountains, lakes, and forests. The national parks offer the opportunity to watch animals while the wilderness of Yukon offers a once in a lifetime outdoor experience. The country accounts for 60% of lakes in the world. Major cities including Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto have some of the best architecture in the world.

How to Make Subway Bread at Home

This Subway Bread Recipe is so easy to make and tastes even better than the popular restaurant! Soft and chewy, the perfect start to your favourite sandwich!

Subway Bread

A perfect sandwich begins and ends with the bread! This Subway Bread recipe uses real, actual, bread-making ingredients and tastes even better than what you can get at the restaurant. It’s soft, slightly chewy, with fresh, homemade flavor. You’re probably thinking, why go through all the trouble of making Subway bread at home when you can’t beat a $5 foot long? I’m with you there! But hear me out. This recipe is so fun to make at home. It’s ideal for parties, baby showers, picnics, whenever you want to serve delicious homemade sandwiches. My kids love to help shape the dough, watch it bake, then play “Subway” as they assemble all the sandwiches. Try this recipe and see how much fun it can be to create your favourite sub in your own kitchen!

Suggestions for Subway Bread

• I’m not going to lie, it took a few tries (four to be exact) until I got this Subway Bread just right. There is a little secret ingredient you need for it to be just right and that is Vital Wheat Gluten. I know that sounds intimidating, but it isn’t. It’s what you need to make the bread chewy and soft like real Subway bread and you can find it at your regular grocery store! I got mine at Winco in their bulk bins for about two dollars a pound. If you don’t have a Winco nearby, you can get it in a “Bob’s Red Mill” brand package at most grocery stores but it is a bit pricey. But this is the ticket to soft and chewy Subway bread.
• If you REALLY want to make it like Subway, you can use special “sub” bread mild pans. They will help the bread rise in the right direction and you will get that nice “Subway-ish” shape. If you don’t have special pans, you can just shape them as best you can with your hands. The more cylinder-shaped you can get them, the better.
• Use whole wheat flour to create a whole wheat bread, or add sesame seeds or shredded Parmesan cheese to the top of your loaves before baking.

5 Things to Keep in Mind While Buying Electronic Gadgets

Buying electronic gadgets is not an easy task. A little planning not only can help you buy the best gadgets, but also will save money, says an expert.

1. Check the Calendar

If you are in no hurry, then wait for festive occasions to buy gadgets. Festive season is always loaded with low prices on gadgets. You can always avail best deals on such days.

2. Check Reviews

Never get tempted by alluring advertisements for gadgets. Before you buy any gadget, always check consumer and product reviews first. This can be done both online and offline. No matter how enticing the advertisement looks, with the reviews you can easily find out if the gadget will perform as advertised or not.

3. Comparison Shopping Through App

Comparison shopping online is an old concept, but now there are more innovative options available which can make comparison shopping even easier. Thanks to the app revolution, smartphone owners can get prompt price comparisons both for online retailers and local shops. But make sure that you always refer to the apps that provide factual data and not just the marketing data.

4. Beware of Online Scammers

When you buy a gadget online make sure that you are not being scammed. Always shop from well-known and reputed websit

es. Online marketplaces have a lot of sellers on them and that’s why the need to be careful as not everyone guarantees authentic products. For a complete surety buy it from a source which guarantees that the product comes with the manufacturer’s warranty.

5. Re-Check

Last and most important, check that the product is not opened or tampered with. If you are buying it offline, you can check it right at the counter. For online, check once you get the shipment. For instance a mobile phone always comes with a seal on the box. Ensure that’s not open. Also check the serial number to find out that the product is genuine or not.