Organize Before you Head to the Store!
• Take the time each week to clip any coupons for your next shopping trip!
Call the butcher before recipe planning to find out what is on special!
• Sign up for the frequent user cards at your grocery store! I am familiar with Dominick’s and they offer great discounts for card holders!
• Choose 2 or 3 easier dinner recipes to double that are within your budget so you will have 4 to 6 dinners for the week. It takes half the time to plan, shop and cook for 3 recipes rather than 6! You can also put the second portion in the freezer! This will also save time in store by not having to hunt for so many different ingredients. I live by the 5 ingredient rule! If a recipe is 2 pages long, you know it’s time consuming!
• Make that grocery list and check it twice! You don’t want to forget items and have to go back to store!
• Check your pantry to be sure you have spices, oils and everything you will need!
• Plan a 2 day period for shopping and cooking. You might need to shop the night before and cook next day.
• Cooking can be EXTREMELY relaxing so plan your cooking time after kids go to bed, are at school or arrange to have them out of the house. Think of it as ME TIME! Put on some great music, smile and have fun! Maybe arrange time with another busy Mom who can take your children while you get the cooking done and you can do same for her! Priceless!
Save Time at the Store!
GET TO KNOW your grocery store!
It will save you a lot of time if you know where things are! I write my grocery list according to departments and store layout. Produce is first when I walk in, then meats and so on. I wiz through!
GET TO KNOW your butcher!
Get on a first name basis! Ask him to show you what is on special! Explain you are doubling recipes and cooking for 2 adults/2 children so he can advise you on exactly how many pounds of meat you will need. If one recipe calls for 4 chicken breasts, you will need 8 chicken breasts and so on for doubling.
GET TO KNOW what products you like and use on regular basis! This will make shopping easier! If there is a sale that day on an item you like, stock up!
GET TO KNOW your food labels!
Always buy products that are lower in fat and sodium. Lower fat cheese w part skim milk and low sodium creamed soups and broths.
Multi-Task in the Kitchen!
• Begin to boil water for rice and pastas.
• While waiting for water to boil, gather all spices, canned ingredients and veggies that need to be chopped and place them in a spot where you can see everything.
• Gather all food containers for refrigerator and freezer storage and set aide.
• Boil all rice, pastas and brown meats at same time on stove, drain and set aside. Preheat oven at this time if necessary.
• As the above are in the works, you have time to wash and chop veggies! If 3 recipes call for garlic, chop all of it at one time and put it into a bowl so you can take what you need.
I hope these tips help you to shop smart and save time in the kitchen! For more topics and chat visit www.mealmistresspc.ning.com
1 comment:
Great ideas for saving time! Too many times I've had to go back to the grocery store. Now I make my list, check my fridge, cabinets and recipes, and then check my list again. It has saved several trips back!
Also, great tip on writing lists based on the grocery store layout. That saves ALOT of time. I also tried calling the butcher. I asked what fresh fish they had that day. I then found a recipe for the fish and added the ingredients to my list. I do feel much more organized. Thanks!!
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