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Make Ahead & Time Tips

Planning ahead or short on time for your next meal? Ask the community for quick kitchen tips and last minute entertaining touches.

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Share your favorite cooking shortcuts!

I can’t seem to slow time down, so I’m always looking for quick short cuts in the kitchen. I wanted to start a thread so you could share your favorite short cut and things you do (or buy) often to save time in the kitchen.

If you are looking to time saving inspiration, here are some ways to strategies for cooking ahead.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/how-to/cooking-basics/make-ahead-meal-strategies/do-ahead-cooking-strategies.htm


I hear how many people save time with their slow cookers and we started asking the community for their responses. Here is just one of the many threads talking about slow cooker recipes! Please add yours!
http://www.bettycrocker.com/CommunityForums/forums.aspx/26/3570

Looking forward to reading your responses! Sincerely, Cate

11/13/2009 4:26 PM
11 Replies to Share your favorite cooking shortcuts!

Here are some of my favorites!

1. I toss Hamburger Helper, broth, and veggies in my slow cooker - when I get home from work, I've got delicious homemade soup!

2. The Bullet! When we were given this for gift I thought- Oh, what a waste of space. But it's the perfect when cooking for two. (For chopping, blending, etc) Plus, it's easy to clean.

3. If it can fit in my budget, I like the pre-shreaded cheese and lettuce for taco night!

11/13/2009 5:00 PM
Whats a "bullet"?
11/15/2009 1:31 PM

leftoverqueen:

Whats a "bullet"?

It's one of those see on TV things that I bet my MIL found at a store.

http://www.buythebullet.com/howitworks.php

11/15/2009 2:09 PM

how much broth do you use for the recipe??? and how long is it cooked in the crock pot?

11/15/2009 2:32 PM

show me how !   i have the bullet and never use it. it mushes everything.

11/15/2009 3:37 PM

Do you use the directions on the back of Hamburg Helper, hamburg, etc? How much broth?  How much time in the crockpot?

11/15/2009 4:23 PM

OMG.....Your slow cooker soup with the hamburger helper sounds awesome!!!  Can you please send me the recipe??  It sounds like something my family would love!!  We are always, weekly, trying new recipes!!


 


THank you in advance!!!


 


Trish

11/15/2009 9:56 PM

gamblinggal:

how much broth do you use for the recipe??? and how long is it cooked in the crock pot?

So, there isn't an exact recipe to it. I just eye-ball it.

For this one, I throw it all in one slow cooker and cook for 2-4 hours on low. To avoide mushy noodles add the noodles about 15-20 minutes before you serve. So here is one I've worked off of.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/garden-patch-minestrone/e1ee3a42-bc27-4dc1-b1d0-42703b1d1c8b

Karen from the kitchens reminded me, " Just be sure to brown meat before putting in slow cooker."

Here are some other ones that I cook for 2-4 hours on low.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/beef-pasta-and-mushroom-soup/a8eda736-497b-4937-8486-344c5783ab47

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/quick-italian-soup/3c5d92ec-5694-4064-b15b-b6362db26586

I'll have to see what it takes for longer crockpot HH recipes. If you play around with the idea- please share your outcomes!

Sincerely, Cate

 

 

11/16/2009 12:57 PM

Sometimes when I buy ground beef in bulk I will brown it all at once and seperate it into pound bags.  After it cools I put them in the freezer.  That way when I need a quick dinner my hamburger is already fried.  I sometimes add onions, peppers and mushrooms to the meat as it cooks.

12/20/2009 11:17 AM

When I used to buy family sized packages of ground beef/hambuger, I wouldn't always have time to divide it up, so I would gently press a line across the package, from side to side, pressing all the way to the bottom, dividing it into sections and freeze the whole package. When I wanted to use some of it, I would hit the package against the sink edge and brake off part, then put the rest in a plastic bag, to protect the opened side and return to the freezer. This really works great. Granna2

May you always have Christ in your Life, Love to Share, Health to Spare, Food to eat, and Friends that Care! "IN GOD WE TRUST"
1/2/2010 4:22 PM

ro-ro:

show me how !   i have the bullet and never use it. it mushes everything.

 

For the bullet, I usually make fruit shakes each day. It's perfect single serving.

I've also made homemade pesto (which is great, because you usually don't need a ton of it in recipes). I 've also chopped nuts in it for baking recipes.Hmmm.. If I do anything new with it- I'll let you know.

Sincerely, Cate

1/4/2010 2:13 PM

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