The Frugal Foodie usually sticks to cooking, but sometimes store-bought sweets just don't fit the bill. Don't fret if baking isn't your thing: This recipe for doughnut muffins with cinnamon-sugar topping will produce professional results with minimal hassle. Your family (and your homemade-baked-good cravings) will thank you later. Read more: The Frugal Foodie Homepage Cinnamon by the numbers: If you have a favorite brand, go with your gut. If not, we prefer the Whole Foods 365 brand. Whole Foods: 365 Organic Ground Cinnamon, $3.39 for 1.9 oz. Jewel Osco: Spice Island Ground Cinnamon, $7.29 …

Sandwiches are an easy crowd-pleaser. They work for lunch, dinner, parties and just about any other occasion you need to feed multiple, potentially picky eaters. Next time you get a little tired of the standard ham and swiss, try your hand at Cuban panini, just like the one at Northfield restaurant, The Happ Inn Bar & Grill. (Hint: It's best if you have a panini press for this recipe). Ham by the numbers Depending on your taste for ham, you might want to shop at a bigger grocery with lots of selection. If you're satisfied with Black Forest Ham however, Foodstuffs has the best for the price. …

The hot dog. It's a summer stand-by and a frugal go-to. Scoff at it all you like, but a hot dog can be turned into gastronomic gold if handled correctly. Before we get too far, let's get get things straight: never put ketchup on a hot dog. Never. It's wrong and this is Chicago (yes, some laws we stick to). What can go on your hot dog: Mustard A pickle spear Onions Relish Sauerkraut Tomato wedges Sport peppers Celery salt There's so much to pick from, you won't even notice there's no ketchup. But if you're looking for something with a little more, shall I say, meat, then look no further than D…

Summer is a perfect time for Mexican food. Steal a little south-of-the-border inspiration from Glencoe restaurant Guanajuato's, 73 Green Bay Rd., with tostadas for a simple but flavorful meal. Our favorite (and inexpensive) way to prepare the chicken for this recipe is to roast a whole chicken and shred as much as you need. The rest can be stored in the refridgerator and used for other meals. Chicken by the numbers: Guanajuato: 1 chicken tostada, $4.50 Dominick's: Perdue frozen roaster chicken, $1.99 Whole Foods: Air-chilled roasting chicken, $1.99 (If you're in a hurry and don't have time to…

The best kind of luxury is the kind you can live with. So why not cook with it too? Live a little with this indulgent lobster tail recipe straight from Morton's Steakhouse. Read more: Patch's Frugal Foodie Homepage Lobster tail by the numbers: There's a couple ways you can handle the lobster in this recipe. If you want to try your hand at live lobster cooking, you'll have to order at least a day in advance from your favorite grocery of specialty store. Buying frozen lobster tail is another cheaper (and all around easier) option. Johnsen's Seafood: 8-12 oz. frozen lobster tail, $30-32/lb (…

The Frugal Foodie loves a good burger as much as the next person. But add pineapples and a hint of Asian spice and you've got a burger bordering on gourmet. Try this recipe to get Everest Burger's delicious Aloha Burger at home. Read more: Patch's Frugal Foodie homepage Burgers by the numbers: We like sirloin ground beef for this recipe. Shop locally at the Grand for the best price. The Grand: $4.49/lb ground sirloinDominick's: $4.99/lb Rancher's Reserve ground sirloinWhole Foods: $6.99/lb ground sirloin (a cheap option -- buy already-shaped burgers at $6.49/lb). What you'll need: 1 1/2 …

As the summer continues to heat up, try a cool roasted vegetable and orzo salad from Foodstuffs, easy to make and refrigerate at home with a few fresh ingredients.What you'll need:1 small eggplant, peeled and diced1 red bell pepper, diced1 yellow bell pepper, diced1 red onion, peeled and diced2 garlic cloves, minced1/3 cup of olive oil1 1/2 tsp of kosher salt1/2 tsp freshly group black pepper1/2 lb. of orzoDressing: 1/3 cup of squeezed lemons (two lemons)1/3 cup of olive oil1 tsp of kosher salt½ tsp of freshly ground black pepperGarnish:4 scallions, minced1/4 cup of toasted pine nuts3/4 lb …

If you're looking for a flavorful variation on an Independence Day classic, you can't go wrong with this easy grill recipe from The Grand. Ingredients: Three pounds uncooked sausages, such as sweet or hot Italian sausages, bratwurst, chorizo, linguica, etc. One onion, thinly sliced Three cups of beer, as needed About one tablespoon of vegetable oil Mustard, for serving   Prick each sausage a half-dozen times with a needle or pin stuck in a cork. Arrange the onion slices on the bottom of a sauce pan just large enough to hold all the sausages. Place the sausages on top and add beer and water to…

Consider it a moveable feast in your own backyard: The Frugal Foodie is on the hunt for the best recipes at local hotspots and the cheapest way to savor them. Each week, we’ll pick a new restaurant’s recipe and then follow our noses to the most affordable places to buy a main ingredient. This week, try a new twist on an old classic. Meg’s Café in Glencoe serves a surprisingly delicious tuna salad, made exciting again with black currants. The best part? You only need four ingredients: Meg’s Café Tuna Salad: Two 5 ounce cans solid white tuna One small rib celery, minced (about 1/4 cup) 1/4 cup …