Easy Gourmet Meals for $5 per person or less?

Everything is so expensive right now, and groceries are no exception.
But you can still cook elegant, fast, healthy, nutritious, and tasty foods for cheap. 

Here, I will teach you how to cook entire meals for any occasion or weekday, for any number of guests, spending only $5 per person or even less. 

First of all, you need to know: 1) Where to buy 2) What to buy 3) When to buy what 4) How to combine what you buy 5) The right kitchenware to use for each dish.

Where and what to buy: I know you have your preferred stores; keep shopping there. But how about trying a new place, just once a month, to compare?

I live in Lakeview, a Chicago neighborhood. Within walking distance from my home, I have Jewel, Whole Foods, and Target. By car, I can get to Trader Joe's and Mariano's in 5 minutes, and if I travel a little farther there are even more options, like Aldi, Fresh Thyme, Tony's, Cermak, not to mention some great Asian and Hispanic markets.

I'm sure you'll find a place where certain items are always cheaper and fresher. It also gives you a chance to learn about new ingredients and flavors you've never tried. Is there a farmer's market where you live? Visit it, by all means, but don't forget that small producers usually need to charge higher prices.

When to buy what: as you know, seasons are an important factor when choosing fruits and vegetables. They'll always be better-tasting, cheaper, and more abundant when in season. In France, that's true even with cheeses. Other things to remember:

Weekends are the busiest days for supermarkets, so they tend to raise prices. Weekdays are generally less busy, so supermarkets may lower their prices.

Supermarkets often mark down food items that are nearing their expiration date in the evenings. And after holidays, supermarkets often mark down seasonal food items that didn't sell.

The perimeter of the supermarket is typically where you'll find the freshest and healthiest foods. It's also where you'll find the best deals on produce, meat, and dairy products.

Compare prices: Before you buy anything, take the time to compare prices between different brands and sizes. You can often find better deals by buying generic brands or smaller sizes.

Look for sales and promotions on the store's website or flyer.

How to combine what you buy: there are some basic rules about what goes well with what, and what doesn't. After a while, it becomes intuitive. 

The right kitchenware: it's less obvious, and more important, than you think. Take something you've always cooked in a pan, and try making it in the oven. Or steamed. You might be surprised with the new flavours you'll discover, and how much time you can save by switching methods.

Have ideas for our readers? Please, let us know. 

I'll come back soon with mouth-watering complete 3-course meal recipes that won't break the bank.