What to cook in March: Budget-friendly meals for uncertain times
Food prices were already expected to rise in 2025, thanks to a weaker Canadian dollar, climate change–related supply chain disruptions and reduced cattle numbers. But now, a trade war with the U.S. is adding to the pressure.
If you're feeling the pinch at checkout, cooking with pantry staples can help you stretch your budget without sacrificing flavour. Below is a collection of cheap and cheerful, mostly meatless dishes that are packed with pantry MVPs like lentils, rice and chickpeas. And, of course, there's pasta — because keeping a box (or five) on hand just makes life a little easier.
Image | The (Chickpea) Picnic Salad by Rebekah Peppler
Caption: (Photography by Joanne Pai)
Open Image in New Tab
Caramelized onion pasta
Image | Caramelized onion pasta - crop
Caption: (Photography by Amina Al-Saigh)
Open Image in New Tab
One-pot chickpea curry
Image | Chickpea Curry with Spinach
Caption: (Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)
Open Image in New Tab
Image | Tandoori chickpea wraps - Dhivya Subramanian
Caption: (Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)
Open Image in New Tab
Red lentil soup
Image | Lentil soup crop - Amina Al-Saigh
Caption: (Photography by Amina Al-Saigh)
Open Image in New Tab
Rice and peas
Image | Rice and peas - Dwight Smith CROP
Caption: (Photography by Owais Rafique Marketing Inc.; styling by Matthew Chin)
Open Image in New Tab
Master recipe for a pot of beans
Image | Steve Sando's master recipe for a pot of beans (crop)
Caption: (Photography by Ed Anderson)
Open Image in New Tab
Instant tan tan shin ramyun
Image | Instant Tan Tan Shin Ramyun - James Park
Caption: (Photography by Heami Lee)
Open Image in New Tab
French onion soup pasta
Image | French Onion Soup Pasta and Handpies Aviva Wittenberg
Caption: (Photography by Aviva Wittenberg)
Open Image in New Tab
Lentil shepherd's pie
Image | lentil shepherd's pie
Caption: (CBC Life)
Open Image in New Tab
Kunde (black-eyed peas and tomatoes in peanut sauce)
Image | Kunde
Caption: (Photography by Khadija M. Farah & Jennifer May)
Open Image in New Tab
Herby labneh pasta
Image | Herby labneh pasta - Amina Al-Saigh (crop)
Caption: (Photography by Amina Al-Saigh)
Open Image in New Tab
Seaweed brown butter pasta
Image | Seaweed Brown Butter Pasta - Hetty Lui McKinnon
Caption: (Photography by Hetty Lui McKinnon)
Open Image in New Tab
Khichdi
Image | Khichdi
Caption: (Photo: Shayma Owaise Saadat)
Open Image in New Tab
Misir wot
Image | Misir Wot Lentil Stew crop
Caption: (Photography by DL Acken)
Open Image in New Tab
Vegan ragu bolognese
Image | Ragu Bolognese
Caption: (Photography by Lauren Toyota)
Open Image in New Tab
Zucchini dal
Image | Zucchini dal - Dhivya Subramanian
Caption: (Photography by Dhivya Subramanian)
Open Image in New Tab
Skillet lasagna
Image | skillet lasagna
Caption: (Photo: David Bagosy, Styling: Melissa Direnzo)
Open Image in New Tab
Puda (chickpea flour pancakes)
Image | Chickpea pancakes (puda)
Caption: (Photography by Diana Muresan)
Open Image in New Tab
Baby bok choy and rice vermicelli soup
Image | crop Hetty Lui McKinnon's Baby Bok Choy and Rice Vermicelli Soup
Caption: (Photography by Hetty Lui McKinnon)
Open Image in New Tab
Polos ambula (young jackfruit curry)
Image | Polos Ambula (Young Jackfruit Curry)
Caption: (Photography by DL Acken)
Open Image in New Tab
Golu molu (buttered roti)
Image | crop Aman Dosanj's Golu Molu hand-held roti
Caption: (Photography by Dominique Lafond)
Open Image in New Tab
Jeera rice
Image | Jeera Rice Joe Thottungal - My Thali: A Simple Indian Kitchen
Caption: (Photography by Christian Lalonde)
Open Image in New Tab
Breakfast bean ragout
Image | Breakfast Bean Ragout
Caption: (Credit: Matt Basile)
Open Image in New Tab
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Toronto Star
The summer my parents sent me to fat camp, my activities were calorie counting and endless exercise
As a 13-year-old in the early 1970s, Canadian writer Moira Dann was sent by her parents to Camp Stanley, a 'fat camp' in the Catskills where strict diet and exercise regimens were inflicted on children. Her book, ' Fat Camp Summer: Advice I Would Have Given My Parents,' describes her experiences there —weekly weigh-ins, exhausting workouts and directives to wear a brassiere to bed— and reflects on the enduring impact of diet culture. I never thought my entire life could be stuffed in a duffel bag. But when you're shipped off—or rather taken there in an early-seventies model Oldsmobile—to a camp in the Catskills, that's a given.
The Province
2 days ago
- The Province
Did Aritzia just release the ultimate fall fashion shoe?
The Aritzia x Sperry collaboration is for the fashion girlies — and the sailboat baddies Sperry x Aritzia Authentic Original Boat Shoe, $130. Photo by Aritzia Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The buzz:Sperry x Aritzia shoe collection launch. What you should know: With the fall fashion season on the horizon, it's time to start thinking about swapping your go-to summer sandals for something a little more, well, enclosed. Vancouver-headquartered fashion brand Aritzia has presented the perfect fall footwear option via its new collaboration with Sperry. The Sperry x Aritzia launch sees the cool-girl Canadian clothing and accessories brand partner with the iconic boat shoes brand for a collegiate footwear release that also features a little quirk. Available in women's shoe sizes five to 11, the limited-edition collection includes two styles — the Authentic Original Boat Shoe and the Slim Boat Shoe. Both styles are available in smooth or suede leather and a few select hues. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. What really kicks up the fun with this footwear collaboration are the details added to the timeless styles. Both versions feature fun, fashion accoutrements: colourful laces that can be swapped out for a tonal leather string for a more classic, or less colourful, approach. The leather shoes feature Aritzia on the tongue and the Sperry logo at the heel for a co-branded feel. While fairly straightforward in design, these shoes really shine with fashion-forward styling: Think Miu Miu inspired. We love the Original Boat Shoe paired with a ribbed sock for a preppy vibe. Or the Slim Boat style, which has more of a moccasin silhouette, with a skirt or shorts. The footwear launch has us daydreaming about the shift toward fall fashion. See you later, summer. The price: $130. The retailer:Aritzia. Vancouver Whitecaps Sports Local News News PWHL
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Did Aritzia just release the ultimate fall fashion shoe?
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. The buzz: Sperry x Aritzia shoe collection launch. What you should know: With the fall fashion season on the horizon, it's time to start thinking about swapping your go-to summer sandals for something a little more, well, enclosed. Vancouver-headquartered fashion brand Aritzia has presented the perfect fall footwear option via its new collaboration with Sperry. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Sperry x Aritzia launch sees the cool-girl Canadian clothing and accessories brand partner with the iconic boat shoes brand for a collegiate footwear release that also features a little quirk. Available in women's shoe sizes five to 11, the limited-edition collection includes two styles — the Authentic Original Boat Shoe and the Slim Boat Shoe. Both styles are available in smooth or suede leather and a few select hues. What really kicks up the fun with this footwear collaboration are the details added to the timeless styles. Both versions feature fun, fashion accoutrements: colourful laces that can be swapped out for a tonal leather string for a more classic, or less colourful, approach. The leather shoes feature Aritzia on the tongue and the Sperry logo at the heel for a co-branded feel. While fairly straightforward in design, these shoes really shine with fashion-forward styling: Think Miu Miu inspired. We love the Original Boat Shoe paired with a ribbed sock for a preppy vibe. Or the Slim Boat style, which has more of a moccasin silhouette, with a skirt or shorts. The footwear launch has us daydreaming about the shift toward fall fashion. See you later, summer. The price: $130. The retailer: Aritzia .
