Some things I want to lovingly prepare from scratch but we all have those nights where we just want to throw together something that’s tasty and quick. Words like prepared, convenience foods conjure up some pretty ugly images but it’s not all ravioli in a can! I understand that sometimes the pre made or prepped version costs a little more but sometimes it’s pretty marginal, as in the case of tinned vs dry lentils. Besides, my time is worth paying the extra!
Prepared Veggies
I am talking about the kind you’ll find in the fresh fruit and veg section. I adore beetroot and love the pre cooked ones, they still taste fresh & fabulous but Those little trays of roast veggies are perfect for singles and couples. I also think they work well in roast veggie salads. Stir fry veggies and steam in the bag veggies have endless uses
Use this in these recipes:
Garlic Olive Oil
Oh my, how I love garlic olive oil! It’s just amazing in salad dressings, providing excellent garlickyness without that almost bitter bite. You can absolutely cook with it but the flavour will lessen as it cooks. I often add a little drizzle right at the end of cooking for extra punch. Since I found garlic oil, I use it in almost everything. Trust me and buy a bottle, you won’t look back!
Use this in these recipes:
Grated Cheeses
There are time when grating your own is absolutely the only way to go. For everything else there is pre grated. It’s such an awesome time saver, especially if you cook with cheese as often as I do. I tend to avoid most grated or shaved Parmesans with the exception of the finely grated Parmesan that’s freshly grated at the deli counter.
Use this in these recipes:
Frozen Mash Potatoes
These are Mr Asks favourite! It took forever to get him to try these (I guess he was thinking of awful instant, just add water mash) but once he did he was hooked. These are just frozen nuggets of mash potato that you can microwave or heat on the stove. The ingredients are potato, milk, butter, salt & pepper. Most people haven’t heard of them but they are so much quicker than traditional mash and you’ll never taste the difference.
Use this in these recipes:
Tinned Beans and Lentils
I am not great with meals that require forward planning. Even if I manage to soak my lentils or beans overnight, you can guarantee that something will happen to stop me making that meal and wastage is never good. I love having tinned beans and lentils in the cupboard, they’re so versatile and always add oomph to vegetation meals.
Use this in these recipes:
I timed myself making this meal & it was 15 mins from start to plate. It’s a plain steak that I cooked on a griddle pan with a little salt and pepper, fresh steam veggies and frozen mash with a drizzle of garlic olive oil. Steak, garlic mash and veggies in 15 mins! Isn’t that wonderful? You would get 4 serves, as shown in the picture, from a 1kg bag of mash and a 400g of steam in the bag veggies.
I mostly shop at Coles (although if you follow me on twitter, you’ll know I’m not happy with them at the moment!) and the products I’ve talked about are available there. You’ll find most things in any supermarket, although the preprepared veggies will vary and I’ve only seen frozen mash at Coles. I definitely have no affiliation with Coles, I just shop there!
I really hope you have discovered a few time savers and have lots of new dinner ideas. Do you have a favourite time saving food?
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