Coming to Your Table on Wednesday

Wednesday's food section in The Star continues a sad, reality-based theme we've been hitting for awhile now: how to eat cheaper.

Entertainment Editor Deirdre Long took a week to experiment, shop and find a formula on how a family of four can eat a whole week worth's of dinners on $40. Seven nights; two 20s.

We've got a her menu, plus a few other stories offering shopping tips, a cookbook based on bargain dining at home and tricks stores try to use to get you to spend more.

After all that depressing -- but helpful -- economic news, turn to the back of the section for an exegesis on cheesecake. It's not just a sweet dessert (although we include a classic cheesecake recipe and a no-bake chocolate cheesecake). It can be savory, spicy and used in myriad ways.

Prudence Hilburn's Gourmet Touch touches on chicken (radically on sale for the past week, by the way) and Pat Kettles Uncorks some nice wines available locally.

Enjoy. Life's too short to eat bad food.