When you venture out to the supermarket or have groceries delivered, you may find that the selection is somewhat limited. But there's still room for creativity when it comes to cooking with ingredients that have a lengthy shelf life in the fridge, freezer, or pantry.
Five celebrity chefs shared with Grow their best recipes that call for common ingredients and cost less than $1 per serving. Scroll through the recipes at the bottom.
Geoffrey Zakarian reinvents a breakfast favorite
The staple: Frozen puff pastry dough
The chef: Michelin-starred chef Geoffrey Zakarian, who holds the title of "Iron Chef" and also stars on Food Network shows including "Chopped" and "The Kitchen."
Zakarian has taken frozen store-bought puff pastry dough, which can last up to a year in your freezer, and created a homemade pop tart. It costs just $0.47 a serving.
Anne Burrell serves up crowd-pleasing fritters
The staples: Zucchini and canned tomatoes
The chef: Anne Burrell also stars on numerous Food Network shows, co-hosting "Worst Cooks in America" and battling as a sous chef on "Iron Chef America."
Burrell's recipe for zucchini and parm fritters with spicy tomato sauce looks like something you'd see at a fine-dining establishment. "They're the perfect combination of salty, crispy, cheesy, and spicy all rolled into one. And they're a cinch to make," she says.
Zucchini will last for up to two weeks in the fridge if stored in an air-tight reusable bag or container. Even though it's green, Burrell says her dish is a crowd-pleaser. "Everybody likes fried food. If you say you don't, you're lying!"
Donatella Arpaia gives PB & J a makeover
The staple: Almond butter
The chef: Celebrity chef Donatella Arpaia, part-owner of Prova Pizzabar in New York City and a mom of three.
Arpaia knows that keeping your kids both fed and entertained when you're stuck at home is no easy feat, especially if you're also working. Here's her play on peanut butter and jelly: It serves as a kid-friendly recipe and a family activity.
Ed McFarland transforms broccoli
The staple: Broccoli
The chef: Ed McFarland, owner of the Manhattan seafood restaurant Ed's Lobster Bar. He's served as a judge on Food Network's "Beat Bobby Flay" and he's appeared on NBC's "TODAY Show."
Broccoli isn't always a crowd-pleaser but McFarland has a solution for transforming this veggie into a spicy and creamy side dish that takes 10 minutes to prepare. If you can't get fresh broccoli, frozen works too. Just thaw and drain any excess water before getting started.
Michael Schulson elevates boxed pasta
The staple: Boxed pasta
The chef: Celebrity chef Michael Schulson founded the Schulson Collective, which comprises more than a dozen restaurants. He has starred in TLC's "Ultimate Cake Off" and Style Network's "Pantry Raid."
Schulson challenges you to take boxed pasta to the next level with his orecchiette recipe. You can make it at home in just 10 minutes for less than $1 per serving.
This story has been updated to clarify Anne Burrell's position on "Iron Chef America."
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