good food on a budget
A Savory Solution to Stretch Your Grocery Budget
Last Updated on June 5, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) In today’s world, grocery shopping can seem more like a burden than an opportunity to gather supplies for your family’s favorite meals. With prices of everyday ingredients fluctuating almost daily, it’s important for many families to make their dollars go further at the store.
Easy ways to stretch your grocery budget, like using versatile ingredients, can make the checkout experience a little less impactful on your household’s finances. Consider the benefits of mushrooms, which provide a delicious option to enhance flavor in favorite recipes while extending portions in an affordable way.
Save Money
Stretch your dollars by stretching your meals using a process called “The Blend.” Blending finely chopped mushrooms with ground meat can extend portion sizes of your favorite meaty recipes and help your bottom line. Chop your favorite mushroom variety to match the consistency of ground meat, blend the chopped mushrooms and meat together then cook to complete the recipe. For burgers, use a blend of 25% finely chopped mushrooms and 75% ground meat. For tacos or chili, use 50% mushrooms and 50% meat or an even higher mushroom-to-meat ratio.
Savor the Flavor
The savory umami taste of mushrooms means a flavorful experience in blended recipes like burgers, where the chopped mushrooms help hold in the juiciness. Or, you can chop, quarter, slice or enjoy them whole in recipes like Garlic-Rosemary Butter Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto, Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup or Blended Pasta Sauce paired with your favorite pasta.
One Carton, Multiple Dishes
Thanks to mushrooms’ versatility, you can buy one large carton of mushrooms to chop up then bulk up multiple dishes, from a morning omelet to hearty soups to blended burgers.
Serve Up Nutrition
Low-calorie, low-sodium, fat-free and cholesterol-free, mushrooms are nutrient rich and can play a starring role in a variety of meals. With an array of fresh varieties and nearly endless ways to prepare them, they can be your powerhouse from the produce department.
Find more recipe ideas and ways to make the most of your grocery store dollars at MushroomCouncil.com.
Garlic-Rosemary Butter Roasted Chicken Thighs and Veggies with Mushroom Orzo Risotto
Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks, MS, RD, on behalf of the Mushroom Council
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Chicken:
- 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 16 ounces mushrooms, such as white button, crimini or portabella, quartered
- 3 zucchinis, sliced in half moons
- 3 large carrots, thinly sliced
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves removed and roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Orzo:
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 16 ounces mushrooms, such as white button, crimini or portabella, finely chopped
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- To make chicken: Preheat oven to 450 F.
- Pat chicken dry. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. In large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Sear chicken until brown on both sides, 4-5 minutes on each side.
- In large bowl, toss mushrooms, zucchinis and carrots with rosemary and garlic.
- On large baking sheet, spread vegetables. Nestle chicken into vegetables. Drizzle with butter and juices from pan.
- Bake 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- To make orzo: In small pot over medium-low heat, warm broth.
- Using skillet from chicken over medium heat, add butter and olive oil. Add onion, garlic and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften, 3-4 minutes.
- Add orzo and black pepper. Stir and cook orzo 2 minutes. Add white wine and cook until evaporated, about 1 minute.
- Add broth to orzo, 2/3 cup at a time, stirring until liquid is absorbed. Repeat with remaining broth, waiting until last batch is absorbed before adding next. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan.
- Serve in individual bowls with chicken and roasted vegetables atop mushroom orzo risotto.
Blended Pasta Sauce
Recipe courtesy of the Mushroom Council
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound mushrooms (such as white button, crimini or portabella), finely chopped
- 1 pound 80% lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- cooked pasta
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- grated Parmesan cheese
- In large pot over medium heat, add oil and cook onions, stirring occasionally, until just soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft and reduced in size.
- Add ground beef, Italian seasoning and salt; cook until browned throughout, about 6 minutes, stirring and breaking up lumps. Skim off fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons.
- Stir in marinara sauce and reduce heat to low. Cook 10 minutes.
- Serve over cooked pasta, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and top with grated Parmesan.
Creamy Spinach, Mushroom and Lasagna Soup
Recipe courtesy of Emily Weeks, MS, RD, on behalf of the Mushroom Council
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, small diced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, such as white button, crimini or portabella, sliced
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 6 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
- Heat large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, garlic, onion and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions and mushrooms soften, 4-5 minutes.
- Add marinara, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, basil, salt, oregano, pepper, bay leaf and broth. Bring to boil over high heat then reduce heat to low and simmer. Add lasagna noodles and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and remove bay leaf. Stir in heavy cream and spinach until wilted, 2-3 minutes.
- Divide between bowls and top each with dollop of ricotta and sprinkle of mozzarella.
SOURCE:
Mushroom Council
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(Tiffany Miller) There is a container in your fridge right now. You know the one. It has been there since Tuesday, quietly waiting for its moment. It’s not coming. By Sunday, you will throw it out with a small, familiar sense of guilt. According to new research from Frigidaire, this cycle is basically the national experience.
Americans have good intentions when it comes to leftovers—at least in theory. Eighty-six percent say they love or like them, and half say they sometimes enjoy leftovers more than the original meal. One in three Americans even proudly calls themself a “Leftover Legend,” the type who genuinely believes yesterday’s meal is tomorrow’s treasure.
Yet, leftovers are still getting left behind. Nearly 3 in 4 U.S. adults (74%) say their leftovers are thrown away at least once a week. According to the USDA, the average American family of four loses $1,500 each year to uneaten food.
What’s more, 9 in 10 Americans (90%) say they have chosen takeout, delivery or a drive-through even though a perfectly good meal was waiting at home. Fifty-eight percent of Americans have ordered delivery while leftovers sat 10 feet away. They looked at their fridge, considered what was inside, and made other plans anyway.
More than half of Americans (52%) say the number one reason they throw out leftovers is simple: They forgot. What gets pushed to the back of the fridge—behind condiments and half-empty jars—effectively disappears. This then leads to the second leading cause for tossing leftovers: 40% of Americans say they do this because they worry about food safety or freshness, which can be driven by confusion around food date labels. Out of sight, out of mind, out of the fridge and into the trash.
When waste starts to feel personal
The disconnect is striking, especially as Americans overwhelmingly say their motivation for saving leftovers is rooted in smart, intentional habits, like trying to avoid food waste (64%) and saving money (52%). Four in 10 even say finishing leftovers feels more rewarding than cooking a brand-new meal from scratch or ordering takeout.
Yet, food still gets forgotten and thrown out, often leaving consumers feeling guilty—and lately, that guilt feels more expensive. With grocery bills and restaurant tabs climbing, 70% say food waste now feels more frustrating or guilt-inducing than it used to.
Helping leftovers finally get their moment
So what actually helps turn intention into action? Visibility, in part. More than a third of Americans (37%) say better fridge organization and simply being able to see what is in there would do more to reduce leftover waste than anything else. But remembering leftovers is only half the battle. The next challenge is what to do with them.
New AI tools are starting to close that gap, helping people turn what’s already in their fridge into meals they actually want, with recipe ideas and step-by-step guidance based on what they have on hand. The goal is to make leftovers easier to use before they become another container pushed to the back of the fridge.
Because when leftovers are visible, and even a little inspiring, they get eaten.
Methodology
Ruder Finn, on behalf of Frigidaire, commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,000 adults throughout the United States. The margin of error is +/- 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%. Fieldwork took place between March 20 and March 24, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.
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(Feature Impact) There’s just something timeless about a summer cookout with friends, family or neighbors. Whether it’s the sound of burgers sizzling on the grill or the smell of your favorite seasonal sides, the event invokes nostalgia and camaraderie.
While the spotlight may land on the burgers and barbecued fare, seasoned grill masters know the supporting cast matters, too. Makers of soft, delicious hamburger and hot dog buns fit to be the foundation of summer gatherings for more than 100 years, the bun experts at Wonder suggest a few ways to ensure your entertaining ventures are successful throughout the season.
Do What You Can Ahead of Time
Stick to a mix of easy favorites and make-ahead sides to keep prep manageable while offering something for everyone to enjoy. When possible, prep ahead of time so you can keep your focus on the fun and your attention on the hot grill. Chop vegetables, wash lettuce for burgers, make sure you have picked out the perfect buns, form and season beef patties and mix marinades the day before the big bash to avoid last-minute rushes around the kitchen.
Prep the Grill
Patience is key when it comes to grilling, as a properly heated grill is the foundation for good cooking. Give gas grills enough time to come to temperature, around 10-15 minutes, and allow charcoal to ash over completely. When grilling different types of food, it’s especially helpful to set up cooking zones – direct and indirect – so you can cook meat, veggies and buns differently or move finished food to one side, as needed.
Additionally, to help prevent sticking, lightly oil the clean grill grates before cooking. Using tongs and a paper towel dipped in oil is often more effective than coating foods with oil.
Use a Meat Thermometer
You may be a seasoned grill master, but guesswork can lead to mistakes, especially when cooking for a crowd. Avoid overcooked (or worse, undercooked) chicken and burgers by using an instant-read thermometer to help ensure meat is cooked safely while retaining its juicy flavor.
Grill Buns Correctly
Burgers and hot dogs are classics for a reason, but avoiding soggy buns and mid-bite fallout requires the right bun for the job. Striking the perfect balance of pillowy softness with the structure to hold their shape through every loaded topping, condiment and bite is key when choosing the right bun for the job. More than just a vehicle for grilled favorites, Wonder Classic Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns are a familiar taste that makes cookouts delicious and have held it together, literally and figuratively, for more than a century. In continuing its longstanding partnership with the USO through the annual Deploy the Joy campaign, you can keep an eye out through Sept. 12 for special packaging on select products with scannable QR codes for a chance to win a $10,000 Birthday Bash.
For great grilled buns, follow a few easy steps:
- Brush cut sides of buns with softened butter, mayo or both to help the bun brown evenly.
- Lightly salt the buttered side before grilling.
- During the last 2 minutes of cooking burgers or dogs, place buns cut-side down over medium-low heat for 30-60 seconds. Look for a light golden toast, crisp enough to hold up.
Let Food Rest Before Serving
After grilling, give meat a few minutes to rest before serving or slicing. This allows juices to redistribute throughout the food for better texture and flavor.
Layer Burgers, Condiments and Toppings
After toasting buns, add a thin layer of sauce to coat the bun then lettuce that’s been patted dry to remove moisture. Add cheese to the opposite bun and be sure to place the burger and other toppings in the center to keep moisture away from the bread, preventing sogginess. Follow this simple order for sturdy buns:
- Toasted top bun
- Condiment or sauce
- Cheese
- Burger
- Tomato and onion
- Lettuce
- Condiment or sauce
- Toasted bottom bun
From simple, practical menus to crave-worthy twists on classics, you can find more ways to host a successful summer barbecue by visiting WonderBread.com/recipes.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (grilling hamburgers)
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At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Enjoy a Lighter Soup On Cool Spring Days
(Family Features) Permanent heat may be on the way, but spring still offers plenty of chilly, rainy opportunities for a warmup from the inside-out. Serve a comforting bowl of Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup to keep spring chills away. Discover more seasonal recipes at Culinary.net.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
- 6 cups broth
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon thyme
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- cucumber sandwiches, for serving
- Chop carrots and celery. In pot, saute with butter.
- In bowl, mix chicken with lemon juice and lemon pepper then set aside.
- After carrots and celery are tender, add broth and orzo to pot. Then add garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and sugar. Simmer 10 minutes then add chicken and cream; simmer about 5 minutes.
- Add salt and pepper, to taste. Serve with cucumber sandwiches.
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