These kitchen hacks will not only help you save precious time but also keep some extra cash in your pocket. From clever tricks to make cooking a breeze to great ideas to stretch your ingredients further, we've got you covered.
Start saving money and time today by making small changes in the kitchen that will have a huge impact.
Batch Cook Staple Ingredients
If batch cooking sounds too much for you, just use one day of your week to cook all the staple ingredients such as potatoes, beans, pasta, rice, lentils, etc. You can store the cooked ingredients in the fridge using airtight containers. This will save you so much time and money, as you won't need to turn on the oven and stovetop every day! Some ingredients will keep good for 4-5 days, just remember that the rice should be consumed 48 hours after being cooked.
Store Fruit Properly To Make It Last Longer
Learn this trick, and remember it to make your fruit last much longer in the fridge. Soak the fresh fruit in a bath of water and vinegar, dry the fruit, and store it in an airtight container. This way, all your berries and grapes will stay fresh double the time!
Make the Most of Those Cooking Utensils
Most cooking gadgets can make your life easier when used properly. Air fryers, food processors, blenders, vegetable choppers, slow cookers, stand mixers, etc. Consider these your friends when you are in the kitchen. When you purchase good quality kitchen tools, they can do most of the work for you.
Say Hello to Already Cut Freezer Vegetables
Vegetables such as beans, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, corn, onion, red pepper, or anything you can think of that comes cut and ready for you to add to your saucepan, can become your best friend when in need of a quick and nutritious meal. Next time you go shopping, get some frozen vegetable bags to help you speed up your cooking time.
Repurpose Leftovers
Get creative with leftovers! Repurposing leftovers not only saves money but also reduces food waste, and keeps you from cooking another meal. Consider making a burrito from last night's leftovers, a stir-fry, a fresh salad, or even a pasta sauce!
Cook Once, Eat Twice
When cooking your meals, double up the portions. By preparing an extra portion for the next day you'll be using your time more efficiently, which will save you some money, and the need to cook an extra meal. Stews, soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes are fantastic options to make an extra batch.
Freeze Fresh Herbs in Oil
With this hack, you won't be wasting fresh herbs anymore! Preserve those fragrant herbs by chopping them up, mixing with olive oil, and freezing them in ice cube trays. Pop out a cube whenever you need an instant flavor boost for your dishes.
Label Your Freezer Bags
Write the date and contents on freezer bags before storing leftovers. No more mystery packages! When in need for a quick meal from the freezer, make sure you are using the ones you made first, so you won't end up with freezer meals from last year.
Stop Throwing Away Vegetable Scraps
Keep your vegetable scraps using a freezer bag such as carrot scraps, parsnips, golden beets, fennel, corn cobs, pea pods, onions, leeks, shallots, ginger, etc. You can make a fantastic vegetable broth with all these scraps. Keep adding them into the same freezer bag stored in the freezer, and once the bag is full, use it to make a delicious broth.
Grow your Own Herbs
Fresh herbs can be expensive to buy at the store, but they're easy and inexpensive to grow at home. Having a few pots of basil, parsley, or rosemary on your windowsill not only adds flavor to your dishes but also saves you money on buying packaged herbs.
Meal Plan
Spend a little time each week planning your meals. This helps you buy only what you need, reducing food waste and preventing last-minute trips to the store. Plus, knowing what's for dinner ahead of time can save you from the stress of figuring it out after a long day.
Looking for a great meal plan? Grab this complete March Meal!
Foods In Your Fridge That Are Spoiling Faster Than You Think
It’s easy to forget about the half-eaten jar of salsa in the back of the fridge or the leftover takeout from a few days ago. But did you know that many foods we commonly keep in our refrigerators can go bad much quicker than we realize? From condiments to deli items, and from dairy products to leftovers, many items have a surprisingly short shelf life once opened. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most common foods that Americans tend to keep in the fridge for too long, risking wasting food and potential health issues.
Go to article: Foods In Your Fridge That Are Spoiling Faster Than You Think
28 Nutritious Vegetable Soups For A Wholesome Meal
Whether you’re in the mood for a light soup or a rich, satisfying meal, we´ve got something for everyone. These recipes are not just for the cold months, but for any time you crave a bowl of comforting, healthy goodness.
Go to article: 28 Nutritious Vegetable Soups For A Wholesome Meal
23 Hearty Stews That Are Nutritious And Delicious
Satisfy your cravings for comfort food with these 23 hearty stews that are not only nutritious and delicious but also vegetarian-friendly. Each recipe is packed with wholesome ingredients that will nourish you and flavors that taste amazing. From traditional classics to innovative creations, these stews offer a comforting and satisfying meal for any time of the year.
Go to article: 23 Hearty Stews That Are Nutritious And Delicious
The post Genius Kitchen Hacks that Will Help You Save Time and Money appeared first on Six Hungry Feet.