Substitutions, Swaps, and Simplicity for Homemade Meals

There’s an irony to the circumstances we find ourselves in, with stay at home orders and restrictions in place for venturing out. Most of us are now preparing more meals at home, but a quick run to the grocery store to pick up last-minute ingredients isn’t as convenient as it used to be just a couple of months ago.  What’s more, even when we plan our family menus ahead of time, some items are just simply unavailable when we make our weekly or monthly shop. But there are ways around those challenges with a bit of knowledge and ingenuity.

If you want to make a meal for which you do not have, or are not able to purchase, all of the ingredients, don’t worry! First, while shopping, try to think about which foods can be used in multiple ways. Dried pasta is an especially popular grocery list item these days, but try to stock up on various kinds. Almost any shape is perfect for casseroles, soups, or a traditional pasta meal with sauce. The same goes for canned or dried beans and rice. Keep those in your pantry to have on hand for any recipe.

Proteins are more versatile than you might think.  Don’t worry if you don’t have or can’t find the exact meat your recipe calls for. For beef stews, try chuck, short rib, bottom round, or brisket. To get the most out of a large dinner, consider meats that can be sliced and used for lunches the next day, such as open-face sandwiches with gravy, Au Jus, or horseradish, or as a protein on top of salad, couscous, or rice with veggies. Ground beef isn’t just for burgers, it can also be used to make chili, Bolognese, sliders, or meatballs, and paired with any grain or pasta for a filling meal. With a pretty long shelf-life, bacon also has a place at the table – save the leftover cooked slices from breakfast and add it to sandwiches or burgers, or crumble it up to mix into salads, mashed potatoes, or pasta carbonara.

When it comes to produce, leafy greens and root vegetables are versatile enough to work with most meals. Spinach, kale, swiss chard, carrots, potatoes, turnips, and radishes are some examples. Different kinds of onions – yellow, red, white, shallots, leeks – can be swapped out in recipes as well. All of those have a relatively long shelf life, too, so they won’t go bad before you have a chance to use them.

Don’t forget Butcher Boy is open and we prepare our own meats, so you’ll typically find a good selection of beef, chicken, pork, and more available. We do have guidelines in place to keep our employees and customers safe. Be sure to check our website for updates on store hours and other news. Thank you for your loyalty!