Empty meat case at supermarket during coronavirus pandemic.
If you’ve been to the grocery store in the past few days or have been watching the news then you likely noticed dwindling supplies on the supermarket shelves. It’s a temporary inconvenience and we’ll all get through it. With a little creativity, you may even enjoy it. How so? Now’s a great time to try new foods that you may not have otherwise been inclined to select. Don’t worry. I’m not talking about chocolate covered bugs or anything…hopefully it won’t come to that!? But when you’re finding that some of your staple items are all gone it’s time to step outside of your comfort zone and look for alternatives.
I can’t offer you a solution to the toilet paper scarcity but I can offer some advice on food substitutions such as these:
Meat - If you can’t find you’re favorite T-Bones, chuck or filet then try an alternative cut. These “butcher’s cuts” are favored by butchers and chefs alike because they’re delicious and tender when cooked properly. Of course you could also consider meat substitutes like veggie crumbles in lieu of ground beef or jack fruit in shredded applications.
Poultry - Everyone goes for the breast. But did you know that not only is dark meat more flavorful, it actually has more vitamins and nutrients? Many stores carry skinless legs and thighs and even if you can’t find them that way, it’s easy enough to remove the skin yourself. Chicken sausage is another alternative to consider. D’Artagnan offers a tasty array of all natural chicken sausage made with free-range chickens. You can find their products at some grocery stores and online.
Green Veggies - Can’t find spinach, broccoli or green beans? Try other green veggies like kale or beet greens - both great substitutes for spinach in salads, sautes and soups. Chop and roast or saute some kohlrabi or add it to your soups and stews as you would potatoes.
Flour, etc. - I’m not sure if everyone’s baking brownies or bread but suddenly flour is in short supply. Check out these and other baking substitutes. For breading use cornstarch, cornmeal, ground nuts, crushed cereal like cornflakes or even crushed potato chips.
Fish - Fresh fish seems to be easier to find than the canned varieties at the moment. If you want canned and can’t find it then cook, flake and cool fresh tuna or salmon for sandwiches and salad. On the other hand , if you can’t find fresh then in a pinch canned wild tuna, salmon and mackerel are good substitutes in salads, pastas and fish cakes.
Pasta - These are not new substitutes, but if you haven’t tried them then now’s the time - zucchini noodles, butternut squash noodles, roasted spaghetti squash. If you can’t find them them pre-cut then order a spiralizer and make them. (Amazon is still delivering). Butternut squash, zucchini and eggplant are all healthy low-carb substitutes for lasagna applications. Just slice them lengthwise and roast them first. You can also stretch your pasta supply by mixing cooked white beans or chickpeas into your cooked pasta.
Don’t forget about your local farm stores, butchers and independently owned grocery stores. These small businesses need your support more than ever right now and happy to answer your questions and offer ideas.