While gourmet healthy recipes foods may look and seem expensive, they can actually be more economical than preparing the usual comfort foods rich in fats, proteins and carbohydrates because they are served in tiny portions and the presentation is as much a focus as the preparation. This does not mean that you won’t get all the nutrients and energy your body needs. The trick is to put a lot of color in your plate, have fun and be creative.
There are millions of easy healthy recipes you can try out that makes use of simple everyday ingredients found in your pantry. For instance, how many ways can you think of to prepare an egg? If you think only of the usual fried, omelet, boiled, scrambled, and microwaved then you are missing out on the thousands of ways egg can be enjoyed—the French, Chinese, Mediterranean, Thai, African, Moroccan, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Indian, Japanese, or the Korean way.
Exotic ingredients can be expensive but you can always substitute with spices and seasonings that you are familiar with and herbs and plants that grow in your garden. Since you have an entire library of all the foods and recipes in the world in your computer via the World Wide Web, you can become a frugal gourmet and eat better without being extravagant.
Plan your menu a week ahead and challenge yourself constantly. This is the most exciting thing about the endeavor. Going to the market or the grocery can be an adventure on its own, as if you were starring in your own lifestyle show and you need to find a way to cook up a gourmet meal with only ten dollars in your pocket.
Another gastronomic adventure you can embark on is to take a hike and forage for wild herbs and local ingredients, although this could be dangerous if you have no clue what plants are edible and which are poisonous. If you are lucky enough to be knowledgeable, happen to be a botanist, or know someone who is then you can arrange for a natural exploration of your local flora and fauna and gather raw materials that can be cooked up in your kitchen and keep a diary of your newly invented recipes.