When purchasing buy one/get one free or large packages of meats and poultry, optimize your savings by properly wrapping and freezing each item. Simply put, air is the enemy of food. Investing a small amount of money in a vacuum sealer is the best way to extend the life of your frozen foods, to avoid freezer burn and preserve fresh flavor. If a vacuum sealer isn’t in your future, take a few extra minutes to protect your product. Some items, such as pork tenderloin, come vacuum packed in heavy duty plastic and are ready to pop into the freezer. For traditionally packed items such as chicken or beef, remove the store packaging and individually wrap each item in plastic wrap and place the tightly wrapped pieces in a large plastic freezer bag.  Remember — air is the enemy of food! Carefully press out all of the air as you seal the freezer bag.  

Meat, fish and vegetables can lose flavor in the freezer and won’t shine as the main feature on a plate, but they still can bring sparkle to chowders, stews, soups and sauces. Take advantage of in-season produce and stock your freezer for the winter months. The vibrant flavor and color of a summer vegetable defrosted in February is far better than what you will find on the shelves in the winter and will cost less.

Go back to the basics. Chicken on the bone is one-third the cost of boneless, skinless chicken and is richer in flavor and is moister. It takes only a second to remove the fatty skin either before or after cooking. For fussy eaters, slice the chicken off the bone before serving. Bone-in chicken and meats not only save money, but enhance your meals. Chicken thighs are often overlooked but are moist, tender and easy to cook.

Add beans, lentils and whole grains back into your thinking. We have become so accustomed to purchasing Uncle So-and-So’s rice that we pass by the more nutritious and economical bag of whole grains located just down the aisle. A 6-ounce box of Uncle So-and-So’s Long Grain and Wild Rice costs $2.69 and serves three. A 28-ounce bag of organic pearl barley costs $3.79 and serves 14! Uncle So-and-So’s package of rice contains nearly 20 ingredients; the barley has only one and is superior in its nutritional value. Beans are beautiful, nutritious, cost-effective and filling. Serve pretty pink salmon (purchased on sale), with spring green asparagus and mashed cannellini beans dressed with a hint of garlic and olive oil — all for less than $3 per person.  Delicious, nutritious and inexpensive.

Tidbit: If you haven’t visited the indoor Farmers Market at Plimouth Plantation, try to go this Thursday between 3 and 6:30 p.m. In addition to great local products, there will be Irish music, a drop-in yoga class and a screening of “King Corn” (plymouthfarmersmarket.org).