Iceberg Lettuce TipWhen preparing iceberg lettuce for serving, break it apart instead of cutting it with a knife to help prevent it from browning.
Various Old Food TipsThese are interesting food tips from an old book: Asparagus will retain it's beautiful green if cooked uncovered in an open saucepan with water to cover. Asparagus water is full of vitamins and can be served separately.
Saving Money on Sliced OlivesInstead of buying those expensive little cans of sliced and chopped olives, buy a large can, slice or chop what you need and put the rest in a jar with the juice. They will last in the refrigerator for a long time. One large can usually equals 3 or 4 small cans for close to the same price.
A Use for Squishy OnionsIf your regular onions have a green top and seem squishy, plant them outside or in a pot of dirt and enjoy the tops any way you like green onions.
Eat Breakfast for DinnerAt least once a week, have breakfast for dinner, eggs are so inexpensive. And there are so many ways to use them, omelets, pancakes, french toast. A half dozen eggs and a loaf of day old bread can feed a family of 4, and that whole meal would probably cost under $2.
By Leslie Greene
Removing Apple CoresCut a raw apple in two and use a melon ball cutter to remove the core of the apple. This is very easy and does not waste any of the apple.
By Bea W.
Green Scrubbies for PotatoesThe best potato scrubber I've ever used is the Scotch brand green scrubbies (the ones without soap). They really clean the potato, don't leave any residue and they are cheap to use (can be used until they practically fall apart).
By Sharon
Flour Tortilla NoodlesCut flour tortillas into strips with your pizza cutter. Use them instead of noodles when you make "Chicken and Noodles". Nobody will ever guess that they aren't homemade noodles.
Use Cooking Spray to Prevent StickingHere are a few helpful uses for Pam or other cooking sprays:
Unsticking Stuck MarshmallowsPut a little cornstarch or powdered sugar in the bag of marshmallows if they are stuck together. Then pull them apart with your hands. They should come apart more easily and be less likely to stick together the next time you go to use them.
Dealing with GreaseI use a cleaned out mayo jar to store my bacon, hamburger, tuna grease/oil in. Store it in the fridge until full, then toss in the trash when it's full. This saves it going down your drain and clogging it up or smelling up your trash, or worse yet, leaking through and getting everywhere.
By Andrea from MI
Grease Jar Tip - Keep the Mess in the SinkDo you make a mess when draining grease from cooked hamburger? I set my grease jar in the sink while spooning the grease. If I spill a little, no worry. I'll rinse the sink out when I'm finished.
This also works well when filling a lunch thermos with soup or pouring a large batch of sports drink mix into individual bottles.
By Cheryl from Missouri
Opening Tuna Fish CansI love Tuna Fish but hate opening the cans due to them being messy. So, to make it easier and less messy, I take 2 tuna cans, but one under the other, and open the can with my manual can opener.
Use a Knife RackStore your knives in a knife rack instead of a drawer to keep the edges from becoming dull.
By Robin
Pastry BrushA small, clean, never-used paintbrush from the dollar store makes a great pastry-type brush for brushing foods with melted butter or oil.
Onions Making You Cry?The best thing I have found is to keep the onions in the refrigerator until you need one. The colder the onion is the less you'll cry. Peel them under cold water.
By Tracey
Slicing Round FoodTo prevent an onion, bagel, or anything round from rolling while you slice it, cut a small slice from an edge and use that as a base. Then it it will not roll as easily and is much safer.
Stretching Taco SauceI always make Ortega taco sauce last twice as long, by taking 1/2 of the sauce and pouring it into another empty bottle and adding tomato sauce to each container. My family cannot tell the difference and the taste does not change. We go through a lot of sauce here.
By Karen P in TN
No Time to Fry Bacon EverytimeWhen ever I have leftover bacon at breakfast, I put it in a zip lock baggie, date it and store it in the fridge. The next time you scramble eggs and don't have time to fry the bacon you just crumble it up while it's still in the baggie...
Family Sized Tea BagsUse only one family sized tea bag for a two-quart pitcher of tea. Then, re-use the tea bag to make a second pitcher of tea. Some brands of tea make a stronger second pitcher than others.
Aunt Sharon from Texas
Hash Browns for SoupI have successfully used frozen cubed hash browns in soups and in "soup kits" that I make for the freezer.
By K. Cooper
Keeping Vegetable WaterWhenever I cook vegetables such as broccoli, carrots etc. I always pour the water into a plastic tub (peanut butter jar) and keep it in the freezer. I add to it each time I cook vegetables. This way I always have stock on hand for soups etc.
By Margaret
18 Tips for the Frugal CookWhen you make mashed potatoes, make an extra big batch and freeze leftovers in muffin cups. Once they are frozen transfer to a zipper bag. Just get out as many as you need and heat up in the microwave.
Draining Juice from CansWhen opening a can of ANYTHING with juice in it (such as tuna or vegetables), only open 1/3 of can with can opener and grip the handle firmly, then tip over can above sink to drain the juice. Then finish opening the can- with no spills! (Only works with a manual can opener!)
By Jenny
Quick Vegetable Chopper - A Tin CanFor a quick, cheap vegetable (or fruit) chopper use a clean tin can. The open(sharp) end will be your chopper - punch 2 to 3 air holes in the solid end. This tool will make quick work of onions, tomatoes, etc. Just make sure to keep it away from kids as the open end is sharp.
Replacing and Preserving Numbers On a Measuring CupColored nail polish works great to mark measuring cups where the numbers have faded.
Always Wear Gloves When Cutting Hot PeppersAt Christmas I was housecleaning for a friend. While cleaning out the fridge, we found a bag of mixed hot and banana peppers. She gave them to me and I had the bright idea of making Salsa and canning it for gifts. It was a bag from Walmart so you can imagine how many it took to fill it.
Keeping Soup Bowls From Sliding on a PlateTo keep a soup bowl from sliding on the plate I put a paper towel or napkin between the bowl and the plate when I put it in and take it out of the the microwave. This also a good tip when eating soup, especially if you are not eating at the table.
Eliminate Food WasteAll your best intentions will be for not if you end up throwing away food. Make sure to freeze leftovers if you don't think you will be able to eat them soon. Don't buy more dairy, fruits, or vegetables than you can eat before they go bad.
Removing a Wine Cork Without a Corkscrew?Does anyone know how to remove a wine cork without a corkscrew? Not the end of the world if I can't open it, but i am curious if anyone had any ideas.
How To Tell When Pasta Is DoneTo check to see when pasta is cooked. Just use fork and
grab a few strings of spaghetti and TOSS or flick onto
cupboards. If it sicks it is done!
Cutting Gooey DessertsDo you have a pan of dessert bars or squares that get mangled when you try and slice them with a knife? Use a pizza cutter instead...
Making Garlic PasteWhen preparing a recipe and it calls for "garlic paste", instead of searching for this product at the grocery produce department. just buy some garlic...
Uses Folding Splatter ShieldsFolding splatter shields that are sold to place around a skillet when frying also has another clever use. You can place them around mixing bowls to keep cake or cookie batter from getting on walls while mixing...
Dealing With Food Scraps While CookingWhen cooking, I keep a crock or bowl on the counter for food scraps. This saves trips to the trash can and prevents food odors in your kitchen trash can. The bowl can then be washed with your dishes...
Putting Stubborn Lids on TupperwareIf you are having a hard time putting a plastic lid on a tupperware type container, run the lid under hot water. It should fit much more easily.
My Kids Don't Like OnionsMy kids don't like onions, especially the texture. I found a way to put them in anything and they never know. . .
I Haven't Bought Crumbs in YearsI have a zip type bag in my freezer that I put in the ends of loaves of bread that go uneaten, stale bread, the crumbs at the bottom of corn flakes or other non sweetened cereals bags, broken crackers, etc. . .
Baby Food MoldI have a popsicle freezer mold that has lost most of the popsicle holders, but felt bad throwing it out. . .
Writing Notes in a Recipe BookNotes in the Recipe Book. When I try a new recipe, I put the date beside the recipe in the book. I also add a short note such as "great," "add more salt," "family loved it" etc. so that I can be reminded the next time I use it if it was a success.
Keeping Ice From MeltingKeeping Ice From Melting. When in need of an ice chest of ice, the last thing you want to happen is your ice that you bought to melt before you are ready for it to. Save your 20 oz. plastic soda bottles and fill them up with water and place the lid back on them and place in freezer to freeze.
Measuring HoneyMeasuring Honey. I haven't been baking for very long, maybe you already know this trick.
Squeeze BottlesSqueeze bottles like the ones restaurants often use for ketchup and mustard can be great for condiments in your kitchen. If make your own salad dressing or buy it bulk, you can transfer the dressing to squeeze bottles for easy use.
Use Teacup Saucer To Keep Yolks From RollingHate wrestling with boiled yolks when making deviled eggs? I accidentally discovered that those saucers that have the indentions for the cups in them make a very good "holder" for when you mash the yolks gently and quicker, individually with a fork.
Preventing Honey From CrystallizingPrevent honey, maple syrup, jelly, etc. from crystallizing. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar per pint of sugary substance.
Flavored Whipped CreamFor a special treat, add a drop of two of flavoring, like vanilla or peppermint, to fresh whipped cream or non-dairy topping before using it to top off a special dessert.
Use a Fork to Hold RecipeWhen I am using a recipe and my hands are full, I don't lay it down. I use a tall glass, put a fork upside down (prongs upwards), stick the recipe card between the prongs of the fork!
Keeping Food Cold for the Dinner TableWhen I have to put out dinner and don't want to refrigerate the bowl of sliced fruit, for example, because there isn't enough room in the fridge, I do this.
Prefilling Coffee FiltersMy fiance came home one day and got out the coffee, filters and canister. He said he was in line at 7-11 and noticed the attendant filling up the coffee filters then stacking them aside.
Healthy And Quick Cooking TipsI am a working mom with a husband who often needs to work late. So, to prepare healthy and quick meals, below are what I often do:
One Jar for the Grandkids, One for CookingI was reading the tip of the day and read about cutting up olives in the bigger cans. My grandkids love green pimento stuffed olives in the jar. And they will eat them all up if they can.
Prescoop Ice Cream For Fast DessertsWhen having people over for dinner, this is a fast way to serve ice cream for dessert along with cake or pie. Earlier in the day, scoop ice cream into individual paper muffin papers, place each on a cookie sheet and freeze in the freezer.
Pie Server To Get Every Bit Out Of Food PacketsDo you buy those new foil packets or pouches of salmon, tuna or chicken products? Do you have trouble getting out all the little pieces from the corners of the packages?
Getting the Last out of Bottles and JarsBe sure to add a bit of water or some other liquid and rinse out your condiment bottles (ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, steak sauce, etc.) to add as seasoning to your homemade soup, hamburger goulash, or any other dish you're preparing.
Combine Crumbs and Butter in a Plastic BagWhen a recipe calls for graham cracker crumbs and butter to be combined, crush the crackers in a heavy-duty plastic bag. Make an indention in the crumbs and pour in melted butter.
Add Potato Flakes To Thicken ChiliIf you like your chili thick and your buddy prefers it more juicy, try adding a few potato flakes to make it a little thicker. Do so right in your bowl! It tends to lighten the color but is all the more hardy!
One Cake, Two DessertsThe next time you trim a cake either to layer or to make a special character for a child's birthday, save the "trimmings". Use these to make a second dessert by placing cake trimmings in a bowl, then topping them with whipped cream or ice cream and fruit.
Use One Book Or Magazine For Weekly Menu PlanningI have quite a collection of cookbooks and cooking magazines. I love to look through them for menu ideas. Just recently, I decided that I would use just one book or magazine in planning the menu for the following week.
Easier and Healthier HashbrownsWhen making hash browns, the most time consuming part is getting the potatoes to fully cook. It saves a lot of time to bake the potatoes the night before and put them in the fridge.
Preventing Pasta from Sticking to ColanderWhen you drain pasta in a colander, your pasta can stick to the colander and make a mess. If this does happen to you, simply take your favorite cooking spray in the can, or your spray butter, and spray the colander before pouring your hot pasta in it to drain.
Finding Good Chestnuts for Roasting?I love hot, roasted chestnuts! When I was little, mom and I would roast and eat chestnuts every Christmas Eve. It was a just-for-us moment, a very precious memory. I've been trying to recreate that ritual but every time I buy a bag of chestnuts they are rotten.
Getting Rid of Smells After CookingIf you cook something like fish or broccoli and want to get rid of the smell, try this thrifty tip: Fill a small saucepan halfway with water, sprinkle some ground cinnamon and cloves in, and simmer for 15 minutes (set your timer so you don't burn your pan!).
Substitute Canned Tomatoes for FreshThe price of fresh tomatoes keep going up, up, up and I use them almost daily. I have started using the canned tomatoes instead of the fresh and it really does save money!
Light a Candle When Chopping OnionsTo help stop your eyes from burning and tearing when you're cutting up onions, light a candle and sit as close to you as safely possible. Don't know why this works but for some it seems to provide relief.
Add Individual Toppings to Delivery PizzaWhen we had children at home and wanted "real" pizza delivered, We ordered pepperoni, then I would heat up the other toppings everyone liked and just added those to each person's slices.
Use Cheap Coffee For Hand ScrubberI keep a crock of cheap coffee by the sink and use it to dip some out to scrub my hands after cutting onions and garlic. It really works to eliminate the odors!
Toast Bread for Hot SandwichesWhenever you prepare any kind of hot sandwich, particularly the recipes that include some kind of sauce, it will make them easier to eat if you toast the bread/roll before loading it with the sandwich filling.
Prevent Soggy Crusts for Cream PiesTo prevent crust from becoming soggy with cream pie, sprinkle crust with powered sugar.
Getting 2 Boxes Worth of Cake MixI only buy boxed cake mixes when they are on sale and I get 2 boxes from each 1 box. How? I only use 1/2 of the mix and 1/2 of the ingredients it requires and add 1 tsp. of baking powder to it. I prepare and bake as the box states and still get a whole cake that tastes the same, saving the other half of the mix in the fridge for my next use. This saves me money big time as I already bought it on sale and allows me to enjoy a luxury at the same time. Try it.
Cut Pancakes In Squares For Easy ServingIf you make great pancakes but can never get them all to pour the same sizes, Try this:
Use Every Bit from the Margarine TubI always add a little margarine to my macaroni after it's cooked and ready to be served. When I opened the tub of oleo, I saw that it was almost empty but contained just enough oleo to do the job.
Use Yogurt Instead Of Milk For Breakfast CerealTry mixing breakfast cereal with yogurt instead of milk for a nice change. I like to even match up flavors, the caramel pecan cereals mixed with caramel or vanilla yogurt is one of my favorites. It's even good with the plain yogurt, plus you also get the benefit of the good bacteria from it.
Trick to Placing Lids on Mayo JarIf you have trouble getting lids back on mayo jars, etc., turn lid counterclockwise a few times and it should drop right in the groove then turn clockwise to close. Works for me every time. :)
Warm Tortillas on Top of Your Splatter CoverI found a simple way to warm tortillas while you cook what is going into them. I use to flop them one by one directly on the burner, but discovered a easier method.
Use Cream Cheese as a ToppingI had an extra 1/2 package (3-4 oz.) of cream cheese left in the fridge and wanted to use it up. Well, we were having fajitas last night, and I had very little fajita seasoning. As I was looking for more fajita seasoning, I stumbled upon a packet of Ranch for veggie dip/what have you.
Use a Chalkboard to Post Your Weekly MenusI have a two-fold approach to saving money on food. First, always have a menu. I bought a very cheap chalkboard ($3) and decorated it to match my kitchen decor.
Buy Individual Salads at a DeliI got tired of buying salad fixings only to eat from a head of lettuce once or twice and tossing it out. I now buy a salad with a little shredded cheese and tomato wedge from the store deli.
Use Your Oven Heat to Warm Your HouseAfter using your oven in the winter, turn it off and leave the door open so the leftover heat can spread into your home. Of course you need to keep small children away until it cools, but when it comes to conserving energy and money every little bit sure adds up.
Try Beans with Peanut ButterI just had to share this with you. Have you tried baked beans (in tomato sauce) with peanut butter? It's absolutely delicious :p
Tips For Travel FoodI love to travel abroad but it has gotten very expensive. One way I save money on a bus tour is to bring much of my own food from home. Most of the time breakfast is provided but when the bus stops for lunch I use the time to sightsee or shop. I bring items to eat on the bus...
Use a Straw to Finish Milk in Cereal BowlMy young nephew showed me a really simple solution to using up all that milk left in a bowl after the cereal has gone - use a straw! Voila, no waste.
Use What You Have: Mac and Cheese Without a Pan or ColanderThis happened to me and my friend while camping and thought I would pass it along. We had decided to go camping and packed everything we thought we would be needing only to discover when we went to make macaroni and cheese for dinner the first night, we had no pan to cook the macaroni in and no colander to strain said macaroni.
Keep a Spare Clean Ketchup LidI keep a spare ketchup lid in my kitchen drawer. When it gets sloppy, I just swap lids and put the dirty one in the dishwasher. I do the same for the ranch dressing.
Reusable Plastic Lunch Meat ContainersLuncheon meats, such as Hillshire Farms Select lunch meats, come in nice reusable Gladware type containers. Often I find coupons for it in Sunday papers. If your store doubles coupons, you get both the meat and a handy container for later use at a great discount!
Buying Colored Kitchen Items To Keep KosherFor anyone who keeps kosher, figuring out which dishes and utensils to use with which category of food can be difficult. Typically, though, people tend to use red for meat and fowl, blue for dairy, and green or white for "parve" (things that are neither meat nor dairy, including fish, eggs, grains, vegetables, and fruits). I've found lots of appropriately colored plates, utensils, and even cookware by searching online (such as at cookware.com and alljudaica.com).
Remove Cardboard Liner From Mayo JarTo keep mayo lasting longer and not have an odor, just remove the cardboard liner from the inside of the lid. You won't believe the difference this makes.
Perfect Minced OnionsTo dice an onion quickly, peel skin from onion. Cut off ends. Turn onion on either flat end and make slices about 1/4 inch apart, but don't go through to the other end, stop about 1/2 inch from bottom. Then cut 1/4 inch slices in the other direction, again not going through to the other end. Turn onion on its side and slice across the criss-crossed slices; perfect minced onion, done in a snap. My mom was a great cook and this is the way she always minced her onions.
Mix Jams Together to Get Every BitI buy the name brand of sugar free jams and preserves. I usually keep at least three flavors in the fridge so the grandkids have a variety to choose from. Of course, eventually the jars are going to become almost empty.
Stretching Shake 'n Bake"Shake N Bake" for chicken and pork makes for a good meal yet is expensive! Instead of pouring the package of "Shake N Bake" seasonings into the shaking bag and putting the pieces of chicken or pork in afterward.
Getting Every Bit of Thick Canned GoodsWhen cooking with a heavy paste (like tomato) or cream soups, I will open up the can then get a lid with a little larger bottom than what I'm trying to open of the paste can, turn the can upside down on the lid and open paste can.
Set Up a Meal Swap With FriendsIf you don't have a lot of time to spend cooking but are sick of the same leftovers, set up a meal swap with a friend or neighbor. Last week I gave my aunt some of my homemade potato chowder, and she gave us some of her homemade chicken soup. It worked out great!
Strain Heated Cooking Oil to ReuseI have a fry-daddy (small fryer) and like reusing the oil week after week. I found a frugal way of cleaning the oil.
Buy Bakery French Bread Dough For PizzaI work in a store in the bakery department. One day a gal who formerly worked in the bakery came over to talk to me with a customer. She said the custumer was asking her what was the best/ easiest thing he could buy to use to make homemade pizza crust.
Make Your Own Spreadable ButterMake your own "spreadable" butter by liquidizing 70% butter to 30% vegetable oil. Rinse off any residue left on the liquidizer with boiling water and use in sauces. You can add low sodium salt to unsalted butter at the same time.
Determine if Butter is FreshTo tell if butter is still fresh, cut off a small slice. If the outside is darker than the inside, the butter has oxidized and should be replaced.
Save by Using Fresh Stir Fry Bag for Veggie TrayMy daughter likes the variety of cut up vegetables that come in a large sectioned, nifty plastic, re-sealable container. I noticed that it had pretty much the same veggies as the $3 bag of stir fry, also by Taylor Farms.
Easy Clean-up For Peeling VeggiesI was making scalloped potatoes yesterday and as I was peeling the potatoes, realized that I have a really good tip to share. In the past I found that cleaning up the peels was a pain because they fly everywhere.
Lime Jelly and CucumberA nice fresh taste to add to a salad dish: Slice or chop cucumber and add to a lime jelly.
Freeze Recycled Containers for LunchesI was eating some applesauce and yogurt today and I had this amazing idea. If you filled the yogurt cup 1/2 full of water and froze it, you could fill the applesauce cup with fruit, pudding, yogurt, dip, dressing, ice cream, or even applesauce!
Removing Stuck Lids from JarsI like to use Marmite in my soups and stews for additional depth of flavor, but that lid glues itself shut to the jar and it's an impossible task to get it open. It is kept it in the refrigerator to ensure freshness, so this may be a contributing factor.
Cut Bread With a Towel to Catch CrumbsWhen cutting up crusty bread or rolls, use a Tea Towel underneath. It catches all the crumbs, makes no mess of work surfaces and the birds can have all the crumbs!
Cut Foods Right in the CanIf you accidentally bought pineapple rings and needed chunks, you will no doubt have to cut them. Why drain them, put them on a counter cutting board or plate and create a mess?