Christiane Jory did, and was so thrilled with the outcome that she decided to write a book about her discoveries: The '99 Cent Only Stores' Cookbook. It's filled with recipes that make gourmet food out of not-so-gourmet ingredients. (This seems to be the week for 99 cent meals). Like the NPR reporter who interviewed Jory, I'm definitely skeptical of food that comes from a 99 cent store. Yep, I'll admit it: the often-discolored cans, dented boxes, and brands I've never heard of creep me out. And if you told me you bought wine at the same place? I'd try it, but I'd cringe a little.
One of my first thoughts was, Oh, but the food is probably shipped from far-off countries and sits in warehouses for days. But Jory insists that some of the food at the stores actually comes from local farmers and distributors. Jory relies on improvised and substituted ingredients - evaporated milk instead of cartons of milk, canned veggies instead of fresh - to achieve a tasty meal at a low cost.
I have to say, Jory definitely encouraged me to look for food in different places, and be open to new ideas. The only thing that turned me off was the health aspect. Canned foods and refrigerated croissants can be easy and tasty, but they're not the most nutritious. Maybe next time I pass a Dollar Tree, I'll look around for bargains, but I don't think I would make it my primary source of food. Would you
A fraking amazing Battlestar Galactica cake
Iced Tea 101
Pierogies + cheese + onions + kraut = Parmageddon!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-27-2008 @ 12:31PM
Kel said...
For me, shopping at Aldi is daring enough. But I've been pleasantly surprised at the quality of their food.
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3-27-2008 @ 12:51PM
JermaineH. said...
I've actually found good food at 99c stores. There's a dollar store down the street where I live that sells some delicious food for cheap, and the Dollar Store is where I get some of my spaghetti supplies.
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3-27-2008 @ 10:00PM
jrsygir1 said...
not all dollar stores are the same...dollar tree and dollar land arent that good for huge choices of quality food....the small independent dollar stores are way better....i have found incredible frozen dumplings, stuffed rigatoni, and good cereal deals....imported sea salts, giant boxes of kosher salt for baking fish,good quality imported extra virgin olive oil, walnut oil, 100% juices....i get my dogs chicken dogs for training from the dollar store...my pepperoni and cream cheese and thick slices of ham come from the dollar store...frozen veggies for pots of soup come from the dollar store....brownie mixes - dollar store.....sugar free hard candy....my kids used to joke that they should change the name of the dollar store to the $150 dollar store because thats how much i spend when i go there.
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3-28-2008 @ 12:32AM
michaelb3600 said...
My first thought seeing this cookbook and the NYT article this week was: "Well, in NY, dollar stores are just better'.
However, our family enjoys substantial savings on staples like soy milk, capers, kalamata olives, noodles (soba, etc.), canned salmon and a variety of regular and ethnic sauces & snacks by hitting up Dollar Tree & Big Lots (Might be Odd Lots near you!)here near Pittsburgh. Quality and brands have always been as good orbetter than the local WalMart or chain supermarket.
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3-31-2008 @ 3:04PM
Adriane said...
Get thee to a super 88! [Asian Market] There are always wonderful foods - veggies, noodles, dried mushrooms, seasonings- for very very cheap. Can't go wrong with a giant package of pad thai noodles for .89 cents.
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