How to make your own convenience foods

It costs money to buy already prepared and cut up food at the grocery store. Here are some tips on how you can save money by making your own convenience foods yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• food
• knife
• freezer
• spray bottle
• plastic bags
• plastic containers

1. Shredded and grated cheeses are expensive and sometimes have starches and preservatives added to keep the cheese from clumping. Making your own takes a little time but is well worth it. Buy blocks of cheese, or even ask for lower-priced end pieces of block cheese. Shred it and then pack it in self-sealing plastic bags. Since most cheeses freeze well, you can have a package in the refrigerator and several more in your freezer. Also, don't forget to cut up block of cheese in bite size pieces. They are great for snacks and you can freeze them for a party. Just defrost and put a toothpick in them, or add them with cold cuts on a tray.
2. Seasoned rice and noodles are high priced but you can make your own. Cook plain rice in low sodium broth and add fresh or dried herbs or spices. Make fresh noodles and toss with a little olive oil or butter and herbs. Toss pasta with a little salad dressing. To make it even quicker, prepare your own seasoned mix to keep on hand.
3. Make your own oil spray by buying a small spray bottle and fill it with vegetable or olive oil.
4. Make your own salad mix. Tear a head of lettuce into bite-size pieces and wash and dry them in a salad spinner. Dice carrots, sweet peppers, radishes, etc., and wrap the pieces in paper towels and store them in perforated self-sealing plastic bag. The paper towel will help them stay fresh.
5. Make your own spaghetti sauce by using a can of crushed tomatoes, mixing in herbs such as basil, oregano and bay leaf, add a couple of splashes of olive oil and vinegar and simmer for a few minutes.
6. Buy plain cottage cheese and yogurt and mix in the fruit yourself by using fresh or canned fruit.
7. It's less expensive to buy bulk bologna, salami, and other cold cuts in bulk and slice them at home than to buy packaged or sliced deli meats. This is a great idea for parties, too. Store bought deli trays are expensive and you can same money by doing it yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Soaking cut apples and pears in a bowl of lightly salted water will help them retain their color.
• Prevent mold on your blocked cheese by wrapping the cheese in a napkin soaked in salt water before storing it in the refrigerator.
• Wrapping produce in paper towels helps because the paper towels absorb the moisture that causes them to rot.