Cost-Cutting Kitchen Tips
by Chris Chenoweth

If you find it difficult to make ends meet, learn about a few ways to cut costs in your kitchen. The tips below are simple, creative and will save you money.

What do you do with the drippings left over in the frying pan after you have cooked a batch of bacon? Use them to take the place of butter or margarine and add a hint of additional flavor to enhance your recipe. The next time you are cooking bacon, let the drippings cool but not solidify. Pour into an ice cube tray and place into an airtight freezer bag and freeze. These “cubes” can then be removed one at a time for sautéing or in place of oil in some recipes.

How many times a week do you cook pancakes, waffles or French toast for breakfast? Do you spend more money than you have to by buying these items pre-made and frozen? Rather than waste time and money try making larger batches at one time. These freeze well and can be reheated in either the toaster or the microwave in minutes.

What do you do with the crusts or heels of a loaf of bread? Do you throw it away or give it to the birds? Simply run them through the food processor and freeze until ready to use. You will never have to buy breadcrumbs again. If you prefer the seasoned variety, add some basil, oregano and garlic powder while processing. They freeze well in a plastic container or freezer bag.

What else can you do with those crusts and heels of bread? Make stuffing! Take the frozen bread crusts and cut into cubes (note: it is easier to cut clean cubes when the bread is frozen). Toast these bread cubes in the oven at 400F turning once during cooking until golden brown. While baking, sprinkle with whatever herbs and spices you desire or leave plain

Have you ever made a mess when you are preparing meat or vegetable recipes that require breading? Rather than making a mess, try filling a large plastic freezer bag with your coating mixture. Add the meat or vegetables and shake. This process covers more evenly and cuts the mess down to a minimum.

The last time you cleaned out the refrigerator did you throw food out? Everyone has busy days when they do not have time to cook. The next time you are running late do not spend a fortune on takeout. Have a home cooked meal.

Spend a couple of dollars on some nice individual serving freezer containers. (The ones with the separate compartments are great). The next time you have leftovers use these containers to store and freeze your meals. Then, when you do have one of those days you can simply pop one of your “TV” dinners into the microwave and your family can enjoy a home-cooked feast in minutes. You’ll save time and money in the long run!

Everyone makes salads with leftovers. There is chicken salad, turkey salad, ham salad, etc. Next time try “dressing it up”. Prepare your salad as you normally would but cut mayonnaise in half. Add a creamy salad dressing in place of the mayonnaise such as Ranch, Creamy Italian or Caesar, etc. This zings up your salad just enough for family members to think you spent much more time than you actually did in the kitchen.

After you take something that is stored in the freezer in a plastic freezer bag do you throw it out? Next time you go shopping try buying two kinds of freezer bags. Purchase a less expensive type that need not have a state-of-the-art zipper to store your meat in and to throw away. Then buy a better brand with the fancy zipper to store, wash and reuse. You will be surprised by how many uses you can get out of one bag.

Whenever you are boiling meat you are not only cooking the meat, you are also creating a stock. Do not throw this away. After cooking the meat strain the water, save it in a covered bowl or plastic container and place in the refrigerator. As it cools, the fat from the meat will rise to the top. Skim this off of the stock. Add some salt and pepper to taste. At this point you can use your stock in your favorite recipes or freeze until ready to use.

Rather than buy expensive junk food, try making your own snacks like popcorn hot off the stove. Add some Parmesan cheese to make it interesting.

Save tins from pies and Styrofoam meat trays (washed thoroughly). Use them to store leftovers or home-baked goodies to give away. Reuse your grocery bags to line your garbage cans. If you do not have a garbage disposal, use them as a food waste depository. When you are finished, tightly secure them and dispose of.

Save your fresh milk for drinking. Use powdered milk for baking and cooking.

Remember that most sweet brand name cereals are expensive and contain very few nutrients. Mix your cereals to get a good balance of nutrition, taste, and cost effectiveness.

SOME HANDY TIPS:

*After you peel garlic rub your hands on any stainless steel bowl or pan. It will take away the smell.

*Place bay leaves in kitchen drawers and in flour and sugar sacks to keep crawling insects away. It also repels flies and mosquitoes.

*Spray cooking oil in the colander before draining spaghetti. The starch does not get stuck in the small holes so there is no scrubbing!

*Ripen kiwi fruit overnight by placing it in a brown bag with a banana, and setting it on a table.

*Add a slice of lemon to the cooking water when making cabbage. The acid in the lemon will cut down on the odor and help the cabbage retain its natural color.

*To chop onions finely, run over slices with a pizza cutter.

*Submerge tomatoes in a mesh bag in boiling water for about 30 seconds and they’ll peel in a flash.

*To clean an oven, set a small bowl of ammonia inside, close the door and leave overnight. Wipe off oven walls and over floor the next day.

*Prevent red stains on plastic containers by spraying inside with vegetable oil spray before storing spaghetti sauce or any tomato-based sauce.

*Dab a bit of margarine onto a paper towel and rub it inside about an inch below the lip of the pot you plan to cook with. Rising bubbles will dissolve the second they hit the grease.

*Before heating a nonstick pan, always coat it with nonstick vegetable cooking spray and never heat the pan more than 3 minutes before adding food.

*Wiping the inside of the fridge with vinegar helps prevent mildew because acid kills mildew fungus.

Author of the DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE, Chris writes articles pertaining to diet, exercise, health and business.

Chris Chenoweth may be contacted at http://www.money-home-biz.com