Satisfy your taste buds without busting your budget.

FORT WORTH - Gourmet lovers, don't fret.

There are ways to enjoy great food and still stay on a budget.

At Lili's Bistro in Fort Worth, Texas they know how to serve up scrumptious meals with a gourmet touch.

Like their famous waffle fries topped with Gorgonzola cheese.

Chefs Heather Hogan and Vance Martin say there's no reason to abandon your gourmet fantasies just because you are tightening your purse strings.

"Don't feel deprived even if it's a rough time, just be a little bit more shrewd with it," said Chef Hogan.

Their first tip, make clever substitutions.

A good example is with meat.

"One of the biggest sellers on Lili's menu is our beef medallions which is beef tenderloin medallions that we hand cut," said Hogan.

Instead of pricey tenderloin, try a cheaper cut of beef, pounded to make it more tender.

"What we've done is taken a London Broil, much much less expensive, pound it out a little bit, a way to increase your yield and have a really tender piece of meat," Hogan said.

That same trick works for seafood.

Several varieties have similar flavors and textures.

So when you're shopping ask for a less expensive alternative and here's an easy one.

If your recipe calls for wine try using beef or chicken stock instead.

It's not exactly the same but still adds flavor and richness.

If you've never seen a leek in your life, you'll survive with scallions or white onions.

No worries.

Table salt works in a pinch.

And while the tartness of sun dried tomatoes is delicious, you can get by with drained, canned tomatoes.

Heather says fresh herbs can be pricey too if you don't grow your own stick with the dried and just use less and make your own heavy cream.

"What I would do is make a white sauce, make a roux with butter and flour and use regular milk," Hogan said.

Simple solutions to keep you cooking, under budget.