Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I don't find coupons for produce, but following deals and sales, whether by circular or careful signage-reading, definitely helps. Some weeks green peppers are 99 cents/lb, some weeks it's more than twice that. That's an important sort of thing to know.

Charoset. I always ask my mom to make extra, and then I take home a bowl and live off it for a week. Apples, walnuts, dates, wine - I think that's all the food groups, no?

Oh my god, so much pizza. And gelato.

The internet! Okay, and my mom.

Whole Foods house brand bars. Come back from recall soon!!

Cream puffs!

A flute of Champagne with pomme frite (it must be fried to perfection) with an anchovy mayonaise to dip into.

Coupons are usually for the really unhealthy foods. Unless I see an extraordinary deal on milk or cheese, I don't bother with them. I have two stores that I read the ads for - I don't waste my time with the others, because even if they have a few great sale items, I know I'll spend less overall by sticking with my top two. I write a 2 week menu and shopping list in Excel and plan around ingredients I already have on hand. I shop for produce at the market my husband works at.

It's a habit, and a fun routine, too. I have come to enjoy planning my menus.

Mom rarely puts her heart into cooking. About twenty years ago, though, she prepared meat fondue -- that was great fun! And most memorable. Loved cooking my beef and chicken in the hot oil at the table. She also allowed all of us to make our own assortment of dipping sauces. My brother mixed grape jelly with godknowswhat. We all laughed. It's a shame we never had it again.

Hah, PerkyMac! That's exactly where this discussion led me -- to my pantry, where I said, "Hey, I bet next week I could buy just fruit and milk and call it good."