Thrifty Dinner Collection Released

- This collection often focuses on building flavor with a well-stocked pantry, utilizing items like various vinegars, canned tomatoes, and dried herbs and spices to create satisfying meals without expensive fresh ingredients. - Recipes are developed to make smart use of everyday staples, such as creating a one-pot chili pasta or a skillet cheeseburger pasta to stretch a small amount of ground beef into a full meal for four. - To keep costs down, the collection frequently incorporates less expensive cuts of meat, like chicken thighs, which are noted for being both flavorful and harder to overcook. - One common technique is to cook pasta directly in the sauce, which saves time and minimizes the number of pots used, a method highlighted in their skillet pasta recipes. - The collection emphasizes using ingredients for multiple purposes, such as reserving part of a marinade to use as a finishing sauce for the cooked protein. - Many of the budget-friendly recipes are designed to be completed in under 45 minutes, with some taking as little as 30 minutes, catering to busy weeknights. - The development process for these and all America's Test Kitchen recipes is famously rigorous, with each recipe being tested dozens of times by professional test cooks to ensure they are foolproof for home cooks. - Beyond specific recipes, the collection is part of a broader ethos at America's Test Kitchen that includes teaching fundamental cooking techniques and providing unbiased reviews of kitchen equipment and ingredients.