Budget-friendly strategies for stress-free festive cooking

In homes around the world, food is often the centerpiece of any holiday celebration. Yet, like many other aspects of the holidays, cooking the meal can be stressful.

According to Dave Yanisko, a culinary expert, budgeting can ease the stress of planning and preparing meals.

“Hosts should start thinking about a menu and matching it to their local grocer’s weekly sales,” Yanisko says. “Generally, you will spend more on proteins or the main entrée for your holiday dinner. When it comes to proteins, you want about a pound to a pound and a half per person.”

Yanisko suggests investing in the entrée as the star of the meal and saving money on ingredients for the side dish.

“If I take advantage of a sale on an entrée protein, then I can look at prices of side dishes and dessert ingredients and keep my menu choices within the budget.”

If sales are unavailable for all the entrée or side-dish ingredients, Yanisko suggests embracing the communal aspect of the holidays. 

“One strategy can be to offer many side dishes to supplement a main entrée. Another, depending on the situation, might be to ask guests to bring a dish that represents their traditions.”

For families with picky eaters, Yanisko says, “As a host, I try to offer something everyone will enjoy. You cannot please all of the people all of the time, but for special occasions or holiday dinners, if you stick to tradition, most of your guests will enjoy what’s offered.”

While holiday meals can be stressful, Yanisko says they are important. “I think the importance of coming together to share a meal on a holiday is what most hosts or home cooks forget. Being able to invite family, friends, or the community for that purpose should be what is thought of, rather than the cost of goods.”

Remembering to stay on budget and embracing the opportunity to spend time with family, friends, or the community will lead to a successful holiday meal. - Newswise