HGG: The Frugal Foodie Cookbook {Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook} Book Review & Giveaway

When I received my copy of The Frugal Foodie Cookbook {Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook} by Lara Starr with Lynette Shirk I was really excited! I’ve been trying to cook ALL of our meals at home for various reasons. 1) It’s better for you and 2) It saves you a lot of money! This book is definitely going to help me achieve that goal! 


The book is arranged into chapters by meals along with a Clever Kids’ Meals, Pulled-Purse-Strings Parties, Midnight Snacks and Thrifty Gifts sections. 


It is NOT just a cookbook. It is jammed packed with random but relevant tips, tricks and often hilarious quotes. It teaches you how to not only be frugal when it comes to cooking but also cleaning.  The authors mention my FAVORITE frugal cleaning tip vinegar and water mixture sprayed on glass surfaces and wiped down with old newspapers. Now THAT’s a streak free shine! 


The Authors also talk about how important whole Chickens are in the frugal kitchen. This is something that I learned long ago! You can catch a nice sized whole chicken on sale for less than 5 dollars. B and I like to bake ours whole in the oven with potatoes. Then we strip the chicken of its meat and make sandwiches for lunch the next day and various other meals! 


What I also like about this book is that it’s not ALL traditional frugal cooking or frugal advice. For example the authors point out that REAL frugal shoppers/cookers DON’T use coupons. Why you may ask? Because often times it’s NOT cheaper {i.e. than the store brand} and it’s for items you weren’t going to use until you saw the coupon. However they do point out that some coupons are useful so keep the ones you think you’ll use but make sure they’re you’re getting the best deal. Don’t think that just because you have a coupon that that’s the cheapest option! 

All in all I would recommended this book for the cooks in your life or students living on a budget! I would have loved something like this in college! It’s an easy read and is jam packed with recipes and tips and tricks that would be useful for the inexperienced and experienced frugal foodie!