Cooking Basics

Some eggs can be stored safely in a freezer if the proper preparation method is used. Stored eggs should always be defrosted in a refrigerator before using. Defrosting eggs in a refrigerator will...

Storing food in your freezer is great—buy now eat later; but your food will be difficult to eat later if it’s dried out, hard, or a funny color. Nobody likes food with freezer burn. It becomes...

The ability to freeze spinach dips depends on the ingredients used. Most spinach dips are dairy-based, which would make freezing and thawing problematic. For example, a cream cheese-based dip,...

This easy recipe idea makes a great warm quick dinner when you watch movies at home. It is inexpensive and healthy for you and your whole family.

Oysters are a type of shellfish that contain a small, tender piece of meat within a tough hinged outer shell. If you're going to eat fresh oysters, you must purchase them live and keep them alive...

Frozen fruits and vegetables are handy when you are preparing a meal and you can't (or don't want to) run to a grocery store. Just about any fruit, including raspberries, can be cleaned, packed in...

One of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to purchase steak is to do so in bulk. The only problem with that method is that most households don't go through enough steak to justify purchasing...

If you are an avid gardener, or even just an amateur, chances are you have had more tomatoes than you knew what to do with, at one time or another! I have discovered the easiest way to preserve...

Often, recipes call for a certain amount of cooked chicken. Wouldn't it be nice to just pull a bag of cooked chicken out of your freezer and thaw it quickly? Have you ever found a super deal on...

Many gardeners are faced with a dilemma when harvesting carrots- what to do with the surplus crop to most effectively and easily preserve carrots? The answer is simple- freeze carrots! The steps...

October is the prime time to harvest pumpkins. Instead of carving a Halloween pumpkin, use magic markers or paint to create a colorful pumpkin face. You can then freeze the pumpkins for...

Here's the problem! Get the AIR out of freezer bags and be safe, OR...NOT..and get sick as hell. For over a year, I've been trying to push as much air out of these bags with my hands...most of the...

Hard boiling is a type of cooking method for whole eggs. They are submerged in boiling water to cook through the whites and yolks, then the shells are peeled away before serving. Hard-boiled eggs...

Quiche is a tasty one-dish meal made of eggs, vegetables and sometimes meat. Not only is quiche versatile and delicious, it is simple to make as well. The next time you make a quiche for a quick...

It can seem difficult to prepare meals for two people without wasting food, especially if you're on a budget since so many supermarkets, food packagers and recipes are designed for people buying...

If food spoils in your refrigerator or freezer, you may not be storing your food properly. Proper food storage can not only keep food items from spoiling, but it can also make them stay fresher...

You can capture that unbelievable fresh sweet corn taste by freezing it properly and enjoy it all winter long. It will blow ordinary bagged corn away and impress anyone you serve it to.

Fresh freezing? How will that save you money? Do you have leftover food? Perhaps the supermarket had a special and you bought a ton. How many times have you looked in your freezer and...

Whether they are green, red, or yellow, peppers hold up very well when frozen. Freezing is a wonderfully easy way to preserve peppers. Plus, it's easy to thaw them under some running water in...

You roasted a great chicken and they ate the whole thing! Don't throw it out, throw it in a pot and make chicken stock out of it.

I never like stopping for fast food to feed my family. I have found a few ways to always have dinner ready.

Smoked salmon is a heart-healthy, versatile dish great for any meal of the day. Salmon is notorious for losing freshness fast, but smoked salmon comes cooked and packaged, giving it the ability to...

Did you know that you can freeze cooked bacon? You can, and that makes it easy to have bacon whenever you like, in whatever portions you like. Heck – you can even eat it frozen (if it is already...

If you have your own garden, or if you buy a lot of fresh corn from the farm markets, you might have extra ears of corn. A good way to save this for later use (winter) can provide you with food...

Wild salmon is a very versatile dish. It can be made baked, grilled, smoked, poached, stewed, made into patties, made into salads and whipped into dips and spreads. But salmon is not so versatile...

Spiral hams are very popular, particularly during holidays. Because spiral hams feed a crowd, many home cooks have more leftovers than they know how to use. Instead of throwing out the ham, try...

Zucchini grows in abundance in home vegetable gardens. It's also an inexpensive summer squash, due to easy growing. Whether you are wondering what to do with your abundance, or you have...

Cooking for one on a budget is really no different than cooking for a family on a budget. The difference occurs after you cook, when you portion and freeze the food for later use. Not only will...

With the price of groceries continuously going up, many people are growing their own vegetable gardens. My mother has a garden every year and has since I was a child. There is absolutely no...

Do you grow herbs in summer but can't use them all? Do you generally saute your herbs in olive oil when starting a dish? If you answered yes, then this is the article for you.

Salmon wrapped in plastic wrap can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two days. But what if you want to keep fish for a longer period of time? Freezing salmon in your freezer can help extend...

In these days of economic struggles, we have to learn to save every penny we can. We throw away hundreds of dollars every year by tossing out spoiled, or left over food. This is not only bad for...

Marinating chicken can be time consuming, but if you prep the chicken ahead of time, it can be as easy as pulling the chicken out of the freezer.

Though boiling and peeling eggs (without making a mess of the whites) is relatively simple, it is only simple if you know how to do it correctly. You want the yolk to have a soft, but cooked,...

Time and nutrition have become great adversaries over time. It is possible to have a fully nutritional meal every morning in just minutes. Prepared food straight from the refrigerator &...

Fresh shrimp can be frozen for up to six months if carefully wrapped. Be sure to dry them thoroughly and squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Do not refreeze shrimp that...

Slicing an onion does not have to be an emotional experience... literally. With just a few simple steps you do not have to worry about having tearing eyes while trying to make a garden salad for...

Once upon a time, meals were a time to gather the family for good conversation and to share love. With today's hustle and bustle, meals are no longer revered as that time-honored tradition. Now...

The wrong storage bag can end in disaster. If you are storing leftovers, a weak zipper can leave a big mess in your refrigerator. If you freezing meat, you need the right bag to prevent freezer...

Pumpkin seeds often get tossed when making jack-o'-lanterns or pumpkin pie. However, pumpkin seeds have many uses--they are nutritional and even used in holistic medicine. At a glance, the idea of...

Who doesn't like making something of value from something free, right? Don't throw away those chicken bones after you've de-boned your chicken. Make chicken broth to use in other recipes.

Going to the store to buy three onions and three peppers, I found out I was paying only cents less for three then I would be for a whole bag. Buying onions and green peppers in bulk is a great...

Do you love the taste of real butter but hate how it tears the bread when you spread it? With a butter dish and this how to you'll be able to wake up to spreadable fresh tasting butter for your...

Freezing food is simple and economical. Use these tips to fill your freezer with good things to eat.

I actually enjoy taking inventory of what we already have in your fridge, freezer, and cupboards. This will strip your grocery budget a ton some weeks…especially if you haven’t done it for...

Do you find your self running out of time to cook healthy meals? Do you often grab quick and unhealthy foods just because they are convenient and already made? By making your own frozen meals,...

Monthly menu planning will not only save you time and money but also the stress of wondering what you are going to prepare for dinner night after night. By planning ahead you can incorporate...

Buying foods in bulk and freezing them is a great way to stretch your hard earned money. But if the foods you've frozen lose their freshness or get freezer burn, then it's like throwing money...

Stocking up on meals takes me to a happy place in my own mind and saves me frustration, money and time. If you have meals already prepared and frozen, ready to pop in the oven, you won’t be...

A question that we frequently get on our potato website is about how to freeze potatoes. Though raw potatoes cannot be frozen successfully, freezing potatoes can be done in a variety of ways. Here...