Adapting to hard times pays off for creative home chefs

Reality television shows are good at delivering a message about reality -- no pain, no gain.

Whether it's a talent contest, weight-loss competition or dance tournament, the message is the same. It takes hard work and sacrifice to achieve any goal worth reaching.

We didn't sign up for any such contest, but the recession has forced Americans to learn a few lessons about sacrifice and extra effort that will continue to pay off once the economy recovers.

One of those lessons involves the advantages of cooking at home.

Not only does preparing a meal at home save money, it provides a chance for families to enjoy time together, learn something new and experience a sense of achievement while enjoying a new dish.

ConAgra Foods, which admittedly has an interest in people cooking at home, nevertheless found that 75 percent of Americans say they have cooked at home more in the past year, two thirds say cooking has brought their family together and three in five say they enjoy cooking more.

Judging by the popularity of television cooking shows, not to mention the Gazette's Weekend Menu page, monthly Relish cooking insert, recipes in the weekly American Profile and other food-related stories and features, ConAgra is probably right.

The survey indicated that most people planned to maintain their conservative ways once the economic crisis has passed.

Four in five say they will continue to focus on saving by using coupons, store specials or a budget, and two-thirds will continue to cut back on premium purchases.

Two-thirds of the 1,018 adults surveyed said they have enjoyed becoming more of a bargain hunter, and half of those already making cutbacks will freeze more meals and two in five will continue to stretch meals.

About a third of consumers have sought to save money by stretching out meals with water or canned foods, or by buying more frozen or prepared meals.

While admitting they started cooking more to save money, half of Americans say they expect to cook more in the coming year than they did last year, and among younger consumers, those age 18 to 34, 72 percent say they will cook more.

Of that group, 71 percent have started cooking new dishes, although 59 percent say they don't always know what they're doing and that they'd like to be better cooks.

Still, they enjoy cooking more so than the general population -- 75 percent compared to 61 percent.

So it seems clear the pain of financial hard times has led to the gain of more enjoyment in the kitchen and meal table.

Add to that the health benefits of growing your own vegetables or enjoying locally-grown and marketed produce and it's apparent the recession truly has a silver lining.