Description:
"Cheapskate" and "gourmet" may not seem like a natural combination for a cookbook title, but Mary Hunt dares to pull it off. The Cheapskate Gourmet: Creating Fabulous Meals for a Fraction of the Cost is another title in her well-known series of frugality guides (she has five others that are not on the subject of cooking). Readers who already own Cheapskate in the Kitchen can practice a bit of what Hunt preaches and save some money by skipping Cheapskate Gourmet. It's essentially a reprint of her earlier effort with the same tips and recipes, but for those who missed it the first time around, Cheapskate Gourmet is a wise investment. Hunt covers the fundamentals with recommendations for the necessary and basic cooking equipment and pantry staples, but you'll also find helpful guides like a seasonal food chart (knowing availability can greatly affect relative costs). Hunt includes many recipes that are solid basics for the American palate--Spaghetti Carbonara, Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, Marinated Vegetables, and the classic Lemon Meringue Pie. She offers inexpensive substitutes for popular, prepackaged favorites such as flavored coffee creamers, maple syrup, sweetened condensed milk, and even provides a recipe for a faux Orange Julius. With its combination of fun and frugality, this is the cookbook for the home cook looking to build confidence in the kitchen without breaking their budget. --Teresa Simanton
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