Caviar Cravings on a Pauper's Penny

Growing up in a family where gourmet food and eating out at multi-star restaurants was a frequent event, I developed a fondness for good food that stretched way beyond my working class paycheck.  Eventually my paycheck increased and I could indulge more frequently in fancy foodservice frills.  Then I lost my job and I had to trim down the fat, so to speak.  

My crazy food-loving family is a group of fine home chefs themselves whipping up everything from asparagus soup to Zanzibar curry.  Needless to say, I paid attention, have a love for all cuisines, read cookbooks and foodie rags (Saveur is my favorite as it’s like taking a food-lover’s trip around the world) and tune into the Food Network on a regular basis.  It helps to broaden your knowledge of cooking and learn about ingredients as Pauper Penny Saver Tip Number One is…

1.  Replicate your favorite dishes at home – Food Plagiarism is Legal in Most States!

1.  
   • Yes you can cook – if you can read, you can cook.  Fact is you can cook a restaurant meal at home for a fraction of the cost.
   • Consider a less expensive cut of the same meat; instead of lamb rib chops try a shoulder or leg chop.
   • Learn the art of edible garnishes.  Zips up the plate.  Did you know parsley is a natural breath freshener?  Try this site for ideas www.finedinings.com click on Garnish for some great presentations!
   • Create some ambiance!  Dress up the table with linens, candles and fresh flowers.  Add some music and voila! your home is now a French café or an Italian bistro.

2.  BYOW or BBBI: Bring Your Own Wine or Buy a Bottle and Brown Bag It Home

• Depending on what state you are in it may be legal to bring your own bottle of wine in the restaurant.  Some restaurants may charge what is referred to as a corking fee (typically around $5).  Make sure and call ahead to ask the restaurant if this is acceptable. 
• Wine in restaurants is always cheaper by the bottle.  If you don’t polish it off in one sitting ask to take it home (again, check with the laws in your state).  Here in Oregon a bottle of 2007 Erath Pinot Noir is around $18 a bottle in a store.  The other night I paid $36 for a bottle in a mid-priced seafood restaurant and they were surprised but accommodating when I asked them to bag it up for me.  Surprised because not many people even know they can do this.

3.  Scan the Newspaper, Local Magazines and the    Internet for Special Deals!

• Many boutique hotels and smaller bistros are advertising specials and you won’t be humiliated having to present a cheesy coupon either.  Some include two for one’s and early bird specials.
• Pick an independent over a chain – they are most apt to offer more than one meal as a special and typically you receive more personalized attention.
• Check out the trendy wine bars and many of them buy “local” meaning your food is fresher and often less expensive.

4.  Consider A Meal of Hors d’oeuvres and Lighter Fare

Let’s face it, most Americans, including myself, can stand to eat a little less, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy dining out.  Plus, you get more variety this way:

·        Many restaurants offer their appetizers at a discount between certain times.  Portland City Grill offers them as a happy hour special between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. and again between 10 p.m. and midnight.  We are not talking sweet and sour meatballs here.  They boast such epicurean delights as Proscuitto Wrapped Provolone, Classic Romaine Caesar Salad and Ginger Hoisin Chicken Satay…all three will run you about $10. 

·        Check out the bar menu.  Many people who forgo alcohol also miss the aspect that many restaurants have a special bar menu – which is the same quality of food typically in smaller portions with a smaller price tag to match.

·        Try ordering a salad and appetizer or an appetizer and dessert.  With larger meals most of us never have room for dessert anyway. 

5.  Host a Theme Party – Here’s some ideas:

• Slumdog Millionaire Party.  As soon as I can get this on video out go my invites!  I’m going to have each guest bring an East Indian Dish. A salad, appetizer, rice/bread or main course.  Have them come in costume and the best sari wins a copy of the movie.
• International Festival of Food.  Ask your guests to bring a non-USA dish to share with copies of the recipe and a flag representing that country.  It’s a great way to share the food and culture of a country that others might not know about.
• Wine and Cheese Tasting.  Yes, you have heard of this before but here’s a new twist for you to consider.  Ask your guests to bring a bottle or two of whatever they like or can afford.  Take the bottles as guests arrive and wrap them in foil so folks can’t see the label.  Sort & group them by whites and reds and number each bottle.  Each guest gets to sample all the wines and rate them.  You will be surprised at how many wines are voted “best” that cost less!
• Go Green!  Host a vegetarian/vegan party encouraging your carnivore pals to reduce their carbon footprints (the total set of greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by an individual, organization or product…beef being one of the highest producers).  Challenge them to make meatless meatballs, vegetarian lasagna or an animal-product free dessert (they are really good – trust me you don’t need eggs and milk).

6.  Grab a Friend and Take a Cooking Class

• Check out stores and restaurants that host cooking classes.  Often times you “observe” the process, although some are hands on, and get a three to five course meal for the price of admission. 
• Look on Craigslist under events and classes for local specialty courses.  I attended a sushi making class at a Japanese woman’s house where we indulged in more than we could eat for a mere $30.00. 

Last but not least, be grateful for the food you do eat. Share it when you can, and enjoy the company of your friends.  Bon Paupertit!