Prep Ground Beef for Quick MealsI mixed some of my favorite spices into a 2 lb. package of ground beef and formed it into one big meat patty that I then cut into equal sized 1/4 lb. meatballs. Then I froze them separated and bagged them up once they are totally frozen and won't stick to each other. You can freeze them on the Styrofoam tray they were sold in if you want.
Product Review: Minute Ready to Serve Brown RiceI generally make enough rice for several servings, and freeze them in meal-sized portions. If I have a coupon or see this product in the Dollar Store, I will buy it. It is healthy and only takes two minutes to heat up. It tastes good, too. The way I see it, any way you don't have to get takeout or eat out is a money saver.
Cut Salad Greens with ScissorsWhen cooking or making a salad, I have recently discovered that using scissors to cut greens or fresh herbs saves me a lot of time and bother. I have even used them with peppers and mushrooms.
Easiest Potato PeelingThis is the easiest way to peel a potato.
Mashed Potatoes from Oven Chips (Fries)I did this initially when I ran out of fresh potatoes, and it worked really well - you place the chips in a saucepan of water, and boil as you would potato that you'd just peeled and cut up.
Corn Flake Shake 'n BakePut corn flakes in a food processor and blend until fine. Add parsley flakes, garlic powder, and grated Parmesan cheese. Dip chicken breasts in beaten egg and roll into the corn flake mix.
Making Salads Ahead of TimeI make a up salads for individual servings, ahead of time. I usually make four at a time and this requires a lot of chopping and cutting up celery, peppers, onions, eggs, etc. at one time.
Thaw and Brown A Week's Worth of Ground BeefDepending on the size of your family, thaw and brown a number of pounds of ground meat on a set day every week. It will stay good in your refrigerator and will make easy meals whenever you use it.
Quick Crab CakesI use Zatarains crab cake mix and a package of imitation crab meat when I make crab cakes. I just use the basic recipe on the box. The imitation crab meat substitutes really well for real crab and the crab cakes taste really good.
Three Meals in OneI have purchased chicken at the deli, it is usually a whole one roasted on the spit. Our first meal is to eat the roasted meat. Then I cut the meat from the bone and use it in two other meals.
Product Review: Suddenly SaladI love salads. Any kind, every kind; but especially the ones I make myself. However, I am not above getting a little help. This product is too cool. I love all their flavors, but the newest and "limited edition" Greek Salad is amazing!
Quick Black Forest DessertMake a quick dessert by combining equal parts of cherry pie filling and chocolate pudding. Put into parfait glasses and you'll have a Black Forest-type dessert.
Ideas for Using Roasted Chicken from DeliIn a pinch for time? Too warm to cook? Instead of grilling chicken after a long day's work, stop by the market deli for a roasted chicken. Whip up a package of mashed potatoes and a second veggie, and feed your family in less than twenty minutes.
Quick Meals For Busy FamiliesI have found a quick and healthy meal solution that is better for you than processed foods or take out. When you are grocery shopping pick up a package or two of fresh chicken tenders that can easily be cooked up for a speedy meal.
Organizing Your MealsA great way to keep organized, save time and money! Simply choose a day of the week to do your organizing. Get five to seven small totes to keep in the pantry. Make a simple menu for the week.
Store Prepared Sauce in Thermos FlaskMake sauce in advance and put into thermos flask whilst still hot. This is particularly useful, as the sauce can be made well in advance before your guests arrive!
Pre-cooking Potatoes For The WeekWhen I buy a bag of potatoes, I go ahead and boil as many as I think I might use that week. I place them in a colander in the refrigerator and, when ready to use, I either dice or shred them and just brown in some olive oil.
Three Meals from Spaghetti Meat SauceI quite often make up a large batch of meat sauce. This way I get 3 meals out of one pound of hamburger!
Have a Dedicated Recipe ComputerI've been an avid cookbook collector for over 40 years with literally hundreds of cookbooks! Because there are special recipes that my family likes in each cookbook, I used to find myself on the floor with piles of cookbooks around me as I tried to find a specific recipe.
Cook Ahead for Faster Meal PrepI do not have much time for cooking in the evening after work. So I try to cook some things ahead, like ground round and chicken.
Premix Muffins The Night BeforeMy grandchildren and my husband love muffins for breakfast and as snacks. Sometimes mornings are very hectic at our house, so I have started premixing my muffins in the evening.
Frozen White Sauce CubesInstead of using canned soup in casserole recipes, I use frozen white sauce cubes I make from a book called "Make Your Own Groceries" by Daphne Metaxas Hartwig.
Grilled Cheese ShortcutToast bread and place cheese in between toast. Place into microwave for 40 seconds.
Peel Potatoes With Your MicrowaveAll you need to do is to wash the potatoes, pierce them with a fork in several places, microwave for 10 minutes in a bowl of water and then let cool. The skins will become wrinkled and you can then pull the skins right off under cold water.
Make Wraps for a Quick DinnerWhen you don't have enough time to cook healthy but don't want fast food, make my specialty dinner combo. Just take a roll or a wrap and add your favorite veggies, fruit, and meat.
Days When You Don't Feel Like CookingEveryone has days when they just don't feel like cooking. Either we're too tired, or we're too busy, or we just forgot to start till we think it's too late. I used to have frozen pizza or something like that on hand, but I wanted a healthier alternative, something I felt good serving my family.
Making Extra Baking MixesWhen I'm making pancakes, cornbread, cakes, cookies, etc., I take a gallon size zip lock bag and make an extra batch . . .
Saving on Spaghetti and Tomato SauceWhen cooking for two, I find it wasteful to buy certain sizes/products. I have recently started buying a jar of cheap spaghetti sauce and use it most anywhere tomato sauce is called for. . .
Tomato and Hamburger SauceWhen the tomatoes are ripe on the vine and you have more than you can handle, I put them in the freezer. When hamburger goes on sale, I cook up a bunch of burger and take out my tomatoes and make a large pot of sauce.
Quick and Easy Base for SoupA can of cream of chicken soup blended with 6 cups water, makes a good base for chicken or turkey soup, with rice or noodles. Also quick and easy for dumplings!
Quick and Easy Supper IdeasWhat to do on those nights when the cupboards are almost bare and payday is 2 days away?
Premeasured Bags of IngredientsI keep zip lock bags of premeasured amounts of flour and sugar in my fridge for those recipes that I use a lot, like chocolate chip cookies and banana bread. It keeps me from having to haul the flour and sugar out every time.
Cooking Extra ChickenI always cook more chicken than I need at that meal for later in the week. It's just as easy to cook more, and serve it in a chicken salad, tacos, or on a bun or roll later in the week for a good, quick meal.
Work Next to the StoveAlways work next to the stove. You can chop and drop items in pots as you cook them. Saves time and steps.
By Robin
Make Extra for LunchWhen you make dinner, make enough so that you will have enough for leftovers for lunch the next day. It saves on cooking time and saves money because you are not tempted to go out and buy lunch.
