In
part 1 I gave my tips on using coupons and buying when on sale, now I want to
give you my tips on stocking up in another way - precooked.
Many
recipes call for cooked chicken but there have been times when I haven't had
time to cook the chicken the night before to go with tonight's after work
meal. That's when I stop at a grocery
store on my way home and buy rotisserie chicken. It's precooked, usually already salted and
perfect for any recipe calling for cooked chicken.
You
can also save time by keeping your freezer stocked with cooked, frozen
meatballs, chicken strips, etc. as well as some of the frozen side dishes that
are so easy to microwave and serve. Yes,
some of them aren't quite as tasty as your own fresh made but that can usually
be corrected by adding some of your own seasonings. I've bought frozen mashed potatoes only to
find them very bland. To them I add a
little butter, a splash of evaporated milk and sometimes a little cheese to
bring the flavor up to my taste. And
don't forget those frozen dinners. There
are a few brands out there that are actually quite tasty after you doctor them
up like I did with the potatoes.
Other
shortcuts I make are with pre-shredded cheeses.
I keep a package in the vegetable crisper but when I find them on sale I
stock up and stick them in the freezer.
After thawing I use them in any dish that calls for cheese. I've also found that the pre-cut onions and
peppers found in the freezer section at the store are really quite good and
such time-savers.
I
also keep a stock of rice dishes in my pantry.
They are really quite handy. I'll
use packages such as pilaf in place of regular rice to add texture and
taste. This is where you really
"Think With Your Taste Buds."
I
hope some of these ideas and tips have helped you save money as well as time
and that you will add your own tips so all of us can learn from each other.
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