topic Re: Convenience Food Item in Kitchen

Convenience Food Item

QVCkitty1 — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 16:13:56 GMT

When I was cooking recently I thought about how frozen vegetables have come in handy so many times. I think , for me , frozen peppers and onions have helped out the most. I don't have to worry if I have either of those on hand and I use a great deal of both of them. What is your go to helper in the kitchen ? Oh and frozen chopped spinach is great, I add it to many recipes.

Re: Convenience Food Item

Another new name Sue — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 16:26:29 GMT

Yes, it's nice to get help from food that have been partially prepared for us. I got a container of prechopped carrots/celery/onions and some frozen dumplings from Trader Joes yesterday, and it helped me throw together a fast bowl of soup for dinner last night when we got home late.

Re: Convenience Food Item

Icegoddess — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 16:31:31 GMT

I think a lot of frozen vegetables maintin their vitamin content, so it's a win/win. Pre-cut fresh fruit/veggies, of course, cost more, but if it makes the difference between cooking or eating it and not, it's also a win. My only concern is that the pre-cut stuff may be less fresh. Seems like the smaller pre-cut strawberries were going bad pretty fast this year.

Re: Convenience Food Item

GingerHead — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 16:42:02 GMT

I so agree on the precut peppers and onions being so helpful.

I used to get a frozen bell pepper and onion mixture from trader joes and used it a lot but it's not organic and I try to only buy organic to avoid pesticides especially for the dirty dozen of which bell peppers are included.

So I started just buying organic bell peppers (red,orange and yellow) and will just precut them and freeze them in a freezer ziplock baggie, very helpful.

I also really like the big bags of frozen organic cut broccoli and riced cauliflower from Costco.

Re: Convenience Food Item

RollTide2008 — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 16:58:46 GMT

I use a big bag of fresh broccoli florets every week. I can think of no reason I’d ever break down a butternut squash as long as my market sells in pre-cut.

Re: Convenience Food Item

BunSnoop — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 17:15:46 GMT

It's so convenient to have frozen chopped green pepper and onions available. I also loved sliced frozen mushrooms, but have had a hard time finding them lately.

Walmart always had ,in addition to the chopped green peppers and onions the mushrooms, but lately they have no longer have been carrying the mushrooms. I'll keep on looking for them but can not find them at Jewel, Woodmans, Meijers, etc.

Re: Convenience Food Item

Sooner — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 17:29:57 GMT

For us it's frozen and canned mixed veggies to add to other things and leftovers for soup. Canned beans for soups, along with chicken breast and broth in boxes. Canned tomatoes, corn and okra are useful too.

I also keep lots of LeSueur green beans and green peas because I love them both. I have not found any other canned green beans that come close to the LeSueur whole ones.

Canned organic tomatoes whole, diced, stewed and with chilis!

Re: Convenience Food Item

Nightowlz — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 17:43:54 GMT

We always have cut up onions, celery, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers & bell peppers in the freezer ready to use.

Before we run out we buy more to cut up.

I also have corn, peas, carrots, green beans in the freezer all the time.

I have lots of frozen fruit since I make smoothies almost daily.

Re: Convenience Food Item

PA Mom-mom — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 17:50:28 GMT

@QVCkitty1 I love the chicken and beef stocks in boxes. The other item I use every week is the Perdue Short Cuts grilled chicken strips. We put them in a big salad that lasts us nearly all week.

Re: Convenience Food Item

QVCkitty1 — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 18:38:29 GMT

@PA Mom-mom wrote:
@QVCkitty1 I love the chicken and beef stocks in boxes. The other item I use every week is the Perdue Short Cuts grilled chicken strips. We put them in a big salad that lasts us nearly all week.

@PA Mom-mom , Thanks, I just put these on my grocery order !

Re: Convenience Food Item

Imaoldhippie — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 18:50:34 GMT

I have started buying packaged lettuce mix that is already washed. I was amazed at the time and work that saved me. I have also been buying cleaned and precut veggies for the salad. Such a relief.

Re: Convenience Food Item

Sage04 — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 18:53:47 GMT

@PA Mom-mom wrote:
@QVCkitty1 I love the chicken and beef stocks in boxes. The other item I use every week is the Perdue Short Cuts grilled chicken strips. We put them in a big salad that lasts us nearly all week.

@PA Mom-mom I just checked to see if my Supermarkets have this and they do. I was told to look for cooked items that have less than 600 sodium per meal and this will work for me.

Thank you!!

Re: Convenience Food Item

Sage04 — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 18:54:50 GMT

@QVCkitty1 wrote:
@PA Mom-mom wrote:
@QVCkitty1 I love the chicken and beef stocks in boxes. The other item I use every week is the Perdue Short Cuts grilled chicken strips. We put them in a big salad that lasts us nearly all week.
@PA Mom-mom , Thanks, I just put these on my grocery order !

@QVCkitty1 me too lol.

Re: Convenience Food Item

bmorechick — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 19:31:26 GMT

After work, except on the days I WFH like today, I try to get dinner on the table by 6:00. I do pre-prepare some stuff night before. And yes, frozen veggies are my go to for sure. I always steam them so they are perfectly cooked. Can't beat the convenience. I use frozen fruits as well. I like them in a bowl as a snack or in a smooothie. Frozen mangos make a great taco or taco salad topping.

Because of the sodium content, no canned veggies or pre-packaged meats. I get hubs to grill or smoke about 8 chicken breasts then I cut up and freeze for salads, tacos, toco salads. Works for me!

Re: Convenience Food Item

grandma petes — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 19:39:57 GMT

Now that soup and casserole season is upon us, I love the convenience of the precut frozen veggies. Trader Joe's frozen broccoli florets are the best I've ever had. They retain their bright green color even after microwaving them. The big bags of frozen mixed veggies at Costco are awesome as well. With the prices of fresh produce increasing by the day, the frozen options are a great value and time saver as well.

I like to precook ground beef and freeze it so when I'm ready to make Lasagne or Spaghetti or Chili, I don't have to make a big mess frying up the ground beef. I will cook and shred several chicken breasts and freeze those as well. Easy to just add to a soup or casserole.

I like to prep ahead....saves so much time later.

Re: Convenience Food Item

lcubedsudbury — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 19:56:18 GMT

I just bought the Perdue grilled chicken for a barbecued chicken pizza tomorrow. Love it.

Re: Convenience Food Item

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 19:59:44 GMT

Jarred minced garlic.

Re: Convenience Food Item

house_cat — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 20:43:10 GMT

My freezer is my best friend and it's always stocked with frozen veggies - mixed veggies, spinach, peas, corn, brussels...you name it. It's so much better than throwing away fresh vegetables because I didn't get a chance to use them. Also lots of berries in case I get in the mood for blueberry pie in the middle of the winter!

I also have to say that bouillon cubes or powder have saved me many times when I needed just a little broth. I also add it to rice for a little extra flavor. They are available in low and no sodium.

Re: Convenience Food Item

ciao_bella — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 21:00:54 GMT

Alas, I don't have a big refrigerator because it's recessed into the kitchen wall with kitchen cabinets above it. So, my freezer is not nearly as big as I would want. Storing a lot of frozen veggies would be great but, again, not much extra room once all the other frozen stuff is in it. I do like to keep jarred garlic on hand when I run out of fresh and also a tube of tomato paste. So many times, I'll only need a half a can, a few teaspoons or a tablespoon. Better than Bouillon is also good to have. Most often you only need 1 tsp for a cup of bouillon in a recipe, so rather than have to open the 16 ounce cans or larger cardboard box of broth/stock, it's more convenient.

Re: Convenience Food Item

deeva — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 21:06:17 GMT

@grandma petes

I never thought of precooking ground beef or chicken breasts and freezing them. This is a great idea.