Sandra's Money Saving Meals Season 2 Episode 2 Italian

Sandra's Money Saving Meals season 2 episode 2, "Italian," brings the delicious flavors of Italy to your kitchen while helping you save money on your grocery bill. Sandra takes on classic Italian dishes such as spaghetti carbonara, lasagna, and chicken parmesan, but with her own creative twists to make them more affordable and easy to make.

In the opening scene, Sandra introduces herself and explains that Italian food is a favorite in her household, but it can be expensive to eat out at Italian restaurants. She promises to show viewers how to recreate their favorite Italian dishes at home for a fraction of the cost.

The first recipe Sandra tackles is spaghetti carbonara. She explains that traditional versions of the dish call for expensive ingredients like pancetta, but she swaps it out for bacon and adds frozen peas for color and nutrition. She also demonstrates how to make a creamy sauce using eggs, Parmesan cheese, and pasta water. As Sandra serves up the dish, she notes that it's a hit with her family and reminds viewers that making pasta from scratch is not only time-consuming but also unnecessary when you can create delicious meals using store-bought pasta.

The next dish on Sandra's list is lasagna. She explains that lasagna can be a labor-intensive dish, but she has a money-saving solution: a no-boil pasta lasagna that cuts down on prep time while still delivering all the deliciousness of the classic. Sandra layers her lasagna with a hearty meaty sauce, cottage cheese instead of ricotta, and a blend of Italian cheeses. She emphasizes that using cottage cheese saves money without sacrificing flavor or texture.

For a quick and easy Italian main course, Sandra prepares chicken parmesan. She shows viewers how to use panko breadcrumbs instead of more expensive traditional breadcrumbs, and how to bread the chicken cutlets without making a mess. She also skips the step of frying the chicken and instead bakes it in the oven, resulting in a healthier and less greasy dish. At the end of the segment, Sandra plates the chicken parmesan with a side of healthy roasted vegetables, emphasizing how easy it is to add more vegetables to a meal without breaking the bank.

In between the cooking segments, Sandra shares her money-saving tips for shopping for Italian ingredients. She recommends buying ingredients like canned tomatoes and pasta in bulk, and advises viewers to take advantage of seasonal sales and coupons. Sandra also explains the importance of properly storing ingredients and prioritizing their use by expiration date, which can often extend their shelf life and prevent waste.

In the final segment of the episode, Sandra prepares a classic Italian dessert: tiramisu. She reveals that although the dish may seem complex, it can be simplified by using store-bought ladyfingers and a simple whipped cream filling instead of a traditional zabaglione. Sandra also adds a twist to the dish by flavoring the whipped cream with instant espresso powder, creating a subtly caffeinated treat.

As the episode draws to a close, Sandra reminds viewers that making Italian food at home can be both delicious and budget-friendly, with a little creativity and a few simple substitutions. She encourages viewers to experiment with their favorite Italian dishes, and to have fun with different flavor combinations.

Overall, Sandra's Money Saving Meals season 2 episode 2, "Italian," is a delicious and informative episode that showcases Sandra's culinary skills and money-saving tips. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting out, this episode is sure to inspire you to get creative in the kitchen while keeping costs down.