"Launched in 2009 by Beth Moncel, a former hourly-wage worker who meticulously calculated the cost of every meal, this recipe site built a cult following by pairing simple, affordable recipes with exact ingredient cost breakdowns. Its recipes — from a beloved spicy sriracha (aka “dragon”) noodle that cooks in minutes and can feed several people cheaply, to five-ingredient fluffy biscuits, an easy chicken piccata that looks dinner-party worthy for about $8, and a warmly spiced lentil stew — emphasize pantry staples, quick prep, and low per-serving cost, with optional add-ins like crispy fried tofu or ground pork for heft. Originally aimed at people living paycheck to paycheck, the clear pricing helps shoppers plan grocery budgets and removes anxiety around grocery trips; the project has since grown into a full-scale publication with multiple editors and contributors while maintaining its focus on tasty, inexpensive meals." - Amy McCarthy