Save Unused Ramen Seasoning PacketsI read your list of recipes for using ramen noodles, and I was quite disturbed to see that more than one reader had suggested that we "throw out" the seasoning packet when preparing her recipe.
Combining Snacks to Save SpaceI recently went to the dollar tree and found these snack breakfast bars. When I got them home, I realized that each one had 5 packettes in them. But they were taking up almost no room. So, I opened them both and saw I could fit all 10 in one package. I saved room in the pantry and they didn't flop around in the box and get broken.
When Life Gives you Lemons (or Raspberries)There is quite a story behind this little bottle of raspberry wine vinegar. About 12 years ago we bought a house in Slovenia with a vineyard- an actual vineyard of about 60 vines. We were very excited by the prospect of growing our own wine until we realised we didn't have a clue how to care for the vines or make the wine.
Ricer for Grinding Coffee BeansI recently found that my old coffee grinder was broken. I decided to use something else we have around the house to grind the beans. Years ago I inherited my mother's old ricer. I put the beans in the ricer and used a lot of elbow grease to grind the beans. Tada, it worked.
Zero Waste for SquashWhen it comes to any of the squashes - you could save the seeds. You can either roast the seeds as a snack or toss over salad, or plant them!
Built in Spoon RestThat little hole in the handle of your pots and pans was made to hold a spoon or other stirring utensil!
Sift Flour into CanisterAlthough I have Celiac disease and my food has to be gluten free, I still do some baking with regular flour. When filling the canister with flour, I sift it into the container. It's ready for accurate measure when needed.
Pie Plate for a Pot LidI made some soup the other day in an older pot that doesn't have a lid anymore. To simmer, I covered it with a glass pie tin. Then, I used it to keep the spoon on. I find the best inspirations in the funniest places!
Mason Jar Layered Banana PuddingOn a kitchen counter arrange an assembly line of bowls of vanilla wafers, vanilla pudding, and thinly sliced bananas. The last component will be whipped cream. Begin by putting a teaspoon of pudding into the bottom of the jar. Break up a vanilla wafer for the next layer, and then add pieces of banana. Layer until you reach almost the top of the jar. Then add whipped cream and a slice of banana. Put the lid on the jar and store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Using And Storing Clarified ButterI don't cook a lot of fried foods but awhile back, I asked for suggestions for a cooking fat that had little or no scent while cooking. I got some responses, and I went with the suggestion that I try ghee or 'clarified butter'.
Food Timer Too QuietSometimes, I need 2 or 3 timers when cooking so I purchased a couple of extra timers from Wal-mart that stick to the refrigerator by magnet.
Clothespin as Chip ClipperI use the little clip clothespins for clippers to hold bags closed. I use them when I open a bag of veggies to be put back in the freezer and I use them to close chip bags.
Plastic Bag for Messy Food PreparationNext time you are preparing messy food and are likely to have sticky fingers, keep a plastic food bag ready for your hand. So if the phone rings or someone comes to the door, you can just pop your hand in the bag and answer the call.
Tips for Keeping Food HotA few ideas I use to keep foods hot from preparing to serving them. Nothing aggravates me more than to sit down to eat and find that the meal I have just cooked is not hot enough.
Peeling PicklesI love dill pickles, but I do not like biting into one of the rock-like black things on the skin. It sends shivers up my spine not to mention the feeling on the teeth. So I peel my pickles before I eat them.
Use Thermos to Keep Sauces HotIt's so much nicer if gravy or hot sauces are still hot for second helpings. Rinse the vacuum flask out with hot water first, and then pour in your gravy or sauce at over 70 degrees temperature, it stands a better chance of not multiplying any of the spore forming type of bacteria by being kept hot.
Simplify Your Menu PlanningMaybe most of you are already doing this, but I just thought of it a couple of weeks ago. I tell my family I don't mind cooking or cleaning up but I hate trying to figure out what to cook. I got index cards, and wrote out a menu on each card including beverage and dessert.
Some Potato Chip TricksWhen I have those little "crumb" chips left in the bag, I grind them up in my "buzz" blender. Store in a container in the refrigerator, adding more as available. I add these crumbs to my mix a Tbsp. at a time when breading something.
Chinese Take-Out Containers Are PlatesDid you know that the reason the Chinese take out boxes are shaped the way they are is because they are meant to be used as plates?
Make a Seed Sprouter for SaladsSprouting jars are about $20 in your local healthfood store. Instead, pick up either a sheet or a pre-cut plastic needlepoint canvas from your local dollar or craft store and cut them to fit the top your Mason jar and screw on with the canning ring.
Extended Apple Juice By Making Peach Apple...Juice can get pricey. Our juice was running low, and instead of buying more, I simply added 2 free ingredients and our juice bottle was suddenly full again! One of these is all that yummy but syrupy sweet juice left in the bottom of a can of peaches. It's a shame to just throw it away, now you don't have to.
Use Evaporation to Keep Food CoolIf you need to keep milk or cheese cool when camping or picnicking, wrap them in wet cloths and place in a bucket. As the water evaporates, it keeps the food cool. Remember to dampen cloths again when they dry out.
Use Butter Wrappers to Separate PancakesI make a lot of pancakes at once, to save time in the mornings. I usually cut squares of wax paper to put in between them. While I was unwrapping butter, to use on pancakes, it came to me.
Meal Planning Saves MoneyIt's a chore that I hate, but admittedly, Meal Planning saves me the most grocery money. I use recipe sites to decide dinner for the next week or two, saving the recipes to my Bookmarks.
Piercing Cartons for Easy PouringMy elderly friend pierces 3 small holes at the other end of the carton, away from the opening. He says that this will stop that awful splutter of liquid from going everywhere when you open these types of cartons.
Assemble Ingredients Before CookingWhen I am making a recipe, I get all my ingredients out, and I also get out whatever tools I need to assemble my ingredients.
Keep an Extra Ketchup Bottle LidIn a house with kids, the ketchup bottle lid inevitably gets gross. I kept a lid from a previous bottle and ran it through the dishwasher. Now whenever the current bottles lid is too yucky, I switch out the lid.
Lucky Charms ShamrocksMake your Lucky Charms treats even better by cutting them into shamrock shapes. These make greats treats for a party!
Tip for Making Cereal TreatsCereal treats can be quite messy to make, especially when you are pressing them into the pan. The next time you make cereal treats, put a sandwich bag over your hand and spray it with non-stick spray.
Kitchen Tip for Baking Taco ShellsFor crunchy taco shells, turn your muffin pans upside down. Spray with cooking oil and bake tortillas for approximately 10 minutes at 375 degrees F. Yummy!
Freeze Leftover WineYou can freeze any leftover wine in ice cube trays. It saves you a fortune.
Cutting a Meringue Pie EasilyIn order to make a clean slice of meringue pie, use a knife that has both sides lightly coated with butter.
Car Coffee Cup for Storing and Sprinkling FlourI have a car coffee cup that has a screw on lid, and a little tab that opens up to a little hole, where I can drink coffee from. I got tired of getting flour all over everywhere when I just needed some sprinkled on my cooking projects.
Swimming Goggles for Cutting OnionsI have found that it helps me when I am cutting onions to wear swimming goggles. I also have to keep my mouth closed. I am a great onion fan, but my eyes hate them, because they burn really bad.
No More Onion TearsThe tears from slicing onions can be so annoying. These tears are caused by releasing the gasses from the onion when cut and them making their way up to your eyes.
Reusing Butter or Margarine WrappersI have found that I can use my butter/margarine wrappers to grease a baking pan or skillet or butter a warm loaf of bread fresh out of the oven.
Pouring From a Large BottleWe recently bought a very large bottle of vegetable oil. I wanted to pour the oil into a small, easier to use bottle.
Save Money by Reducing Meat in RecipeI have 2 men in my home, and they both love meat. Whether it's chicken, beef, pork, or lamb they love it! But meat can be expensive when you serve it daily. So I have decided that to save money on meats, I would try different recipes with less meat then called for to see if the guys would notice.
Use Clothespins as Chip ClipsBuy a bag of clothespins at the dollar store. They make a cheap but very good way to clamp shut your chips, pretzels, or any bag you want to close. I fold the bag down several times and then clip it shut.
Process Perishables When You Buy GroceriesDo you ever discover that you have meat, cheeses or produce stored in your refrigerator that was fine when purchased, but within a few days is now past its prime - sometimes even beyond saving? Of course we all do!
Use Muffin Pans for Making Taco BowlsIf you ever want to create taco bowls, turn your muffin pan upside down, spray with cooking oil and bake tortillas for 10 minutes at 375 degrees F.
Getting Rid of Pantry MothsI had a bad case of moths a few years ago. I finally found that my problem was a bag of pecans in the shell that we had stored in the laundry room until we could get them all shelled out, and the moths started there and migrated to my pantry.
Sticky Ice Cube TraysAfter a while the ice stops coming out in a perfect form, whether it be the plastic or the metal trays and you get cracked ice. To solve this problem, spray the ice trays with vegetable oil, then wash it, fill it with water, and you have whole ice cubes again.
Stock Up on Salad Dressing MixesI have discovered that those packets of Ranch or Italian salad dressing mix are a versatile, easy to store pantry staple.
Reusing K-CupsWe have switched over to one cup at a time coffee with the Mr. Coffee Keurig reconditioned model, which I bought pretty cheap. I get 80 k-cups for $25 at Costco, which is the cheapest I can find.
New Uses for Formal China Tableware PiecesDuring the holidays and other special occasions when I use my china, it has pieces that were for rather old fashioned formal services. So I use my formal pieces for other creative dishes.
Peeling BeetsRaw beets are hard to peel. It is best to cook them first, drain, and rinse with cold water. The peels come off easily. Also, don't throw away the tops. Beet greens are my husband's favorite vegetable.
Use Spray Nozzle To Fill CoffeepotI have done several posts about my spilling stuff all over the place. Here is yet another. When I move to another place I always choose the shortest length of counter space, wasted space as it were, for my coffee brewing station.
Preventing a Lidded Pot From SpillingTo stop spills when moving a casserole dish, stretch a rubber band from each handle to the knob on the pot lid.The lid will stay secure and it will be easier to carry.
Tomato For Onion or Garlic Smell On HandsAfter cutting onions or garlic, use a tomato to wash your hands (it doesn't have to be immediately). Some people say minty toothpaste does the job, but it's never worked for me.
Tips For Smooth FudgeBefore putting ingredients in pan, butter the sides of pan or spray with Pam. When your fudge starts to boil, cover pan with lid for a couple of minutes and then remove. I also wash sugar from the spoon you first stirred with.
Planning a Healthy Frugal MenuIt is easier and more efficient to plan your menus rather than cook whatever comes to mind. When you plan your menu out, it is easier to keep your meals balanced and healthy, and to plan for variety.
Astronomical Peanut Product Price IncreaseIf you like peanuts, whether plain old peanuts to munch on, for using in assorted recipes, or for peanut butter used to make sandwiches and baking goods, you might want to consider stocking up for the coming year.
Homemade Produce WashWashing your produce before you eat them is an important food prep step. But there is no need to waste your money on expensive vegetable washes when you probably have all the ingredients you need sitting around your house.
Save Money and Time by Cooking ExtraI use propane to cook with. Like all fuels the price continues to rise. I started looking for ways to cut costs for cooking. I found a great one! Use a pressure cooker! It is so easy to use.
Monitor Portion SizesThe portions we eat are too big most of the time, and our children's are also. We serve most things cut small, and say to come back for more, if you eat all the food from the first serving.
Calibrating an Electric OvenWhether you use your oven a lot or a little, you should check your oven temperature every now and then to ensure the recipes you bake turns out perfectly.
Pots Stuck TogetherI had 2 pans that were stuck together. After trying everything I've heard of, I finally sprayed WD-40 into the sides of bottom pan, put them in freezer over-night, dropped them on concrete this morning, and VOILA!
Food Tips for a Disabled PersonMy suggestion will help any disabled person or senior citizen living alone. I use a motorized wheel chair. I have a home aide 3 times a week, 2 hours each time. One day is designated usually to cooking. We make up partial meals for the week.
Reusing Frying OilYou can use fats over and over by straining them after each use. Fry slices of potato to remove fish, onion, or other strong flavored food odors.
Meal Planning For The School YearI'm starting to think about back-to-school tasks that must be done. Here is one that I thought up as I'll have four kids in school, as well as myself, so this year will be even harder to manage.
Homemade Butter SpreadMix equal parts of butter and unsaturated vegetable oil in a blender and chill to make a healthful, good-tasting table fat that's easy to spread and goes a long way. This is a good way to stretch your dollar in the dairy case.
Save Time With Your CrockpotA wonderful addition to any kitchen is your crockpot! If you are having a gathering, have big eaters, or just want to have your meal cooking while you are working during the day or away having a life, get all of your crockpots going.
Save Money Using Powdered MilkI find this tip not only convenient, but it also reduces my food bill. I use skim powdered milk for all cooking and smoothies. You could also use full cream, but I find I can use the skim for everything like custards, white sauces, cakes and muffins.
Tips from the Priscilla Circle Vintage CookbookNeat hints and older recipes for us baby boomers. I love to shop thrift stores, and I happened upon this gem of a cookbook called, "The Priscilla Cook Book" Personal Recipes by The Woman's Association Pilgrim Congregational Church in St. Pete, Florida.
Using The Whole ChickenAt least once per month, I boil a whole chicken. Then I pull all that wonderful meat off the bones. I use some of it right away, and combine it with the broth from boiling the chicken, and frozen mixed vegetables and rice or soup pasta, for soup.
Codes on Food PackagingHow do you decipher code numbers on food packages?
Use a Photo Album for RecipesPhoto books work great for recipes! Put all of your 3x5 inch recipe cards in photo sleeves inside an album meant for photos. You can buy tabs for notebooks and label with cooking categories such as breakfast, side dishes, main dishes, salads, soups and desserts.
Watch Labels for MSGI recently discovered an insidious additive that almost all manufacturers are putting into foods, and I hope you all begin to watch for it. It is MSG (monosodium glutamate), and of course, we expect it to be in Asian foods.
Using Fresh CoconutTake 5 coconut pods and break and scrape the hard skin and cut into pieces. Rinse and pulse in a food processor, add water as you are pulsing.
Ripening Green Tomatoes InsideA few weeks ago, I was concerned about an impending frosty night and decided to pull up all my tomatoes. There were tons of green ones that hadn't ripened yet. I read through a lot of feedback to look for the easiest way to ripen them inside and came up with this.
Meal PlanningMenu index cards are great for when I can't think about what to cook. They have a whole menu, one menu on one index card. Since they are sorted into the index card file, I have them sorted by what types of meat (chicken, beef, ground beef, pork,vegetarian, etc.).
Cooking With ChilesThe earlier you add fresh chiles to a recipe that you're cooking, the hotter the bite will be. If you like a more mild bite then add them to your recipe at the last possible moment.
Chinese Food TipsSome of the main ingredients in Chinese Food are ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. These are the odors you smell when you walk into a Chinese Buffet.
Using Juice in Canned FruitDuring the summer months I save the juice from our canned fruit. I do one of 4 things with the juice.
Using Dragon FruitThe Dragon fruit is simply an amazing fruit, like no other. On the outside the fruit is bright fuchsia with lime green on the tips of the long leathery leaves that spurt off the entire fruit. When cut open the fruit reveals its stunning white pulp speckled with tiny black seeds...
Using Shrimp PasteShrimp paste is small fermented shrimp used in many South East Asian cuisines. The smell is quite strong and can be unappetizing to those who are not used to it, but is cherished by many Asian countries.
Meal Planning Notebook and Filing SystemAs a working mom, I enjoy cooking but was getting a bit bored with what felt like limited menu choices. Our busy schedule had caused us to fall into a rut, eating the same items over and over again.
Using Almond ExtractAlmond extract is made from bitter almond oil and ethyl alcohol, it is strong and sweet used in many baked goods.
Using Agar-agar (Kanten)Agar-Agar is a flavorless gelling agent, made from seaweed, and a great substitute for gelatin. It can be used to make all sorts of interesting meals, savory and sweet. It contains no calories and is high in dietary fiber.
Planning For Holiday Dinners A Week AheadFor the holiday dinners, you should plan what you are going to have the week before and cook your desserts the day before the holiday.
Plastic Cutting Boards for MeatPlastic Cutting Boards for Meat. When cutting meat, use a plastic cutting board instead of a wood one. It is much easier to clean bacteria from a plastic cutting board than it is from wood, which will also need to be reseasoned after cleaning.
Cooking Advice For Picky HusbandsI have a pal, whose husband thinks her Mom is the best cook! She uses a lot of her Mom's recipes in her meal preparations. One day, while she was preparing potato salad, by her Mom's recipe, her hubby caught her putting pickle juice in it.
Dressing Up MayoI was experimenting this week-end with some different ideas to dress up the condiments I was serving for hamburgers and sandwiches for the Labor Day company.
Frozen Whipped ToppingWhen preparing a recipe that calls for a thawed whipped topping and you find that yours is still in the freezer, don't put it in the microwave to thaw. . .
Toast Chopped Nuts Fast Without An OvenHere's a handy, fast way to toast chopped nuts for a recipe without turning on your oven on a sweltering hot summer day. . .
I Love the Casserole, He Doesn'tThere are casserole dishes that I like but my husband didn't care. Now, when I'm wanting one of them, I make them in a 9x13 inch dish. Upon baking and cooling, I cut the casserole into servings and freeze them, just for me.
Recipes for FreeDon't buy cookbooks, unless you have tried it out and want to keep it. The library is such a good resource for cookbooks. Also, check the website of products you like. They usually have recipes online that use their product or even free cookbooks for you...
Storing Grocery BargainsWe all like to save money and stock up on good grocery bargains when we find them. However, we want them to stay fresh until we're ready to use them. This is the best solution that I've found.
Remedies for "Dud" RecipeWhen you encounter a "dud" recipe that is not to your families' liking, always try to look for ways to use those ingredients in another manner - your grocery budget will thank you!
Use Moisture Prevention Packages In The CrisperPut those little packages, that come in everything (moisture preventing) in your crispers. It keeps all you keep there, lettuce etc. fresher for a much longer time.
Buying Large Cans of Tomato PasteI buy the larger, more economical can of tomato paste and then measure it out by tablespoons onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Freeze until solid and then put the tablespoons of tomato paste into a ziploc bag in your freezer.
Bring Food to the OfficeMy frugal tip is that I often bring part of my breakfast and lunch to work and buy the remainder from the cafeteria. This way, I can still socialize with my coworkers and also feel good about saving money at the same time...
Cutting Homemade NoodlesEver get the urge to make homemade noodles? Instead of cutting them with a knife, which can take a long time and can be frustrating, get out your pizza cutter...
Plan To Have Leftovers and Always Use What You Have!One of my best food tip is to plan meals at least 2 weeks to a month at a time. Make a menu for each day and a dessert. This works well in using what you have and not wasting food.
Cutting BrowniesA warm knife cuts baked items like brownies better than a cold knife. Just run the knife under hot water and then wipe it dry before cutting.
Adding Condiments to Bland StaplesGood condiments like salsa and stone-ground mustard can add zing to otherwise bland staples like eggs.
Substitute Pretzels For CroutonsI use the Snyder's of Hanover pretzel pieces, the Buttermilk Ranch flavor. The cost is about $1.00 for a 10 oz. bag. DH likes these better than the more expensive croutons from the grocery store.
Spend Less for Convenience MealsWith the new year approaching, it's good to evaluate where you are spending your money and look for ways to save. If you find you eat fast food regularly because you don't have time to cook, try to find some TV dinners that you like and keep them stocked in the freezer. The quality of TV dinners has improved remarkably since they became popular in the fifties.
Ask Questions When Inviting Friends for a MealWhen inviting friends over for meal, be sure to ask for any specifications to their diets, so you can be sure to have food items they can eat. They might be diabetic or maybe very picky eaters.
Eat Your "Encores"I had a friend who used to call her meal leftovers "Encores". She said the word "leftovers" sounded bad and would make others dread having it for the next meal...
Avoiding Trans FatsIn 2006, all of the nutrition labels on food products are supposed to indicate trans fats. Stay away from them all! Trans fats are made by heating and re-heating oil...
