I have a problem with foods that take very little time to eat and not-so-little money to buy. I was rather dismayed when I went to a yogurt-and-salad place in the mall and ordered a yogurt parfait -- you know, yogurt, fresh fruit, granola. The parfait was, as I would consider, diminutive. Someone with a man-sized hunger such as myself could finish the whole thing off in two minutes or less. Yet the establishment insisted on charging me between $3.50 and $4 for that pint-sized thing. I consistently think things cost more than they should, but this, to me, is a deal-breaker. Begrudgingly, I surrendered my hard-earned cash, but I vowed never to buy a yogurt parfait from them again.
From now on, I think I'm going to stick to DIY yogurt parfaits. The recipe is simple enough. I can just buy a large container of yogurt, slice up some strawberries, throw in some blueberries and either toss in some granola or crumble up some graham crackers...and
voilà! I'm in business! I find it makes for a delicious breakfast or afternoon snack.
Are there any easy-to-assemble meals/snacks you prefer to make yourself rather than buy?
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Comments (14)
Smoothies
Pizza is pretty easy for me to make.. as well as pasta and tacos. Takes maybe 30 mins (at most) fo each.. minus the cooking time.
smoothies, parfaits, chips (i make pita chips with cheese in the middle... dip them in hummus, mmm), tea
Most things I prefer to do myself, but there are times when I just don't feel like it. I fully admit to being a lazy foodie at times. And honestly, in those cases, you're not just paying for the food, but also the convenience.
hmmmm.....Parfaits, yummy
Homemade parfaits are one of my favorite light lunches/snacks. Every once in a while I'll buy one from McD's; they're on the dollar menu.
I like to make everything myself if I have the time. College has made me so poor... ._.
Hashbrowns, most of the time. I make them and they never last around the table, no leftovers, ever xD
Hmm. Hamburger helper night, I've learned to make it myself without having to buy the box using leftovers from other dinners.
My Mom's cake...God, that is an awesome cake. Why go out and buy a birthday cake when she can just make me one of those? *dies*
Most of the time I make stuff at home anyways, even when I'm working, I'll make it before hand. Restauraunts and other eating establishments tend to cost too much for a meal anyway when I'm really hungry. If I was just munchy, sure, it's not much more than the cost for a snack on our grocery budget that's fine. But not for a lunch, most of the time.
There are always cheaper alternatives that I can't get myself to make. For instance, COFFEE. I could save so much money for simply brewing a whole pot of coffee and yet I'm so lazy I just HAVE to spend the five dollars for a cup at Starbucks (or two bucks at the local cafe next door). It's terrible, and I know I could save so much money, but laziness overcomes me.
Hot chocolate, or noodles. Anything cake or cookie related too.
Chocolate brownies.
The amount is costs me to make a batch vs buying that one single ready made brownie... hmm. Think I save quite a bit just getting ingredients for the bigger batch.
Plus mine's healthier and more moist.
It is always better to make your own parfaits, it's just convenient, and I was always told, hey if it's something to eat that you're going to enjoy, then the price shouldn't be a worry... as long as you have it, hah.
@likenvrbefore@xanga - I'd love your recipe for the pita and cheese chips! I need something new to dip in my hummus!
I usually just get a parfait from Mcdonalds because they're only $1...true, there's not much parfait there but if you want more, definitely go the home-made route and buy the ingredients! :]
I used to ALWAYS go out for coffee, ie Starbucks, Caribou, Arabica, and if nothing else, the gas station. But it saves so much money to buy some delicious Hawaiian coffee at the store for like $7 bucks and brew it at home! :]
@rAzOrKisS09@xanga - well, i wouldn't call it a recipe, because it's so easy, ha. i just cut a pita in half, put a half slice of skim provolone cheese in the middle of each side, and toast it! so then when they cool they have delicious cheese in the middle. and i use regular store-bought red pepper hummus.
:)