Why does nobody talk about dried herbs for budget cooking?
I've been cooking on a tight budget for years, and in my experience, dried herbs are way better than fresh for cutting costs. Most folks swear by fresh basil or cilantro, but let's be real, they wilt fast and cost a lot compared to the dried stuff. I used to buy fresh parsley every week for my soups, and half of it would end up in the trash. Now, I keep a rack of basic dried herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary. They last for months, and I can make a big pot of chili or spaghetti sauce that tastes great without rushing to use up fresh herbs. Sure, for a fancy salad, fresh might be nice, but for your everyday budget meals, dried does the job just fine. Your mileage may vary, but this switch has helped my grocery bill a lot, and I don't feel like I'm missing out on flavor.