OmManiPadmeOmelet > writes:

>Now that we've gotten used to eating a healthier diet, I'm refusing to
>go back to eating crap just because it's cheaper!

I feel exactly the same, but there's times when I'm forced to eat the
cheaper foods. Chicken and fish prices around here have been
astronomical. Organic veggies are expensive when they're not available
at the Farmer's Market, too.
My biggest problem is making the same old thing different every week.
There are certain foods we buy all the time because of their cost, and
it can get boring. Here's some of my ideas for side dishes but they're
not all potato/pasta free.

* Lightly steam asparagus, marinate in Italian dressing and tarragon for
a couple of hours. Drain, and mix the leftover marinade with a little
mayonnaise for dip. Serve chilled. I love this in the summer.

* For those who do eat potatoes, flavored mashed potatoes (wasabi, blue
cheese, cheddar, etc.) change things up a little. Also using different
spices (pre-mixed, even) for baked cottage fries really helps.

* Toss some zucchini and peppers in a little balsamic in a non-stick pan
until heated through, add a few tablespoons of thick spaghetti sauce,
heat through, top with a hint of shredded asiago.

* Rice pilaf, or rice boiled in stock, sometimes with veggies added.

* Similarly, I like to saute onion and garlic in butter in a pan, add
cooking sherry and some mushrooms, cook it down and toss with boiled egg
noodles.

That's all I can think of right now.

Stacia