I wanted to give my readers a little peek into my kitchen. Just like everybody else, I am pressed for time in the kitchen. I do not use many processed foods, but I have a few things that verge on processed that I use regularly and don’t worry about too much. Maybe you will pick up a helpful hint or two and find ways to save time in the kitchen.
Prechopped Veggies:
I have no issue purchasing prechopped vegetables. (Brussels sprouts sliced are pictured above.) I don’t always do it. A lot of times it depends on where I am shopping that week. They are a bit more expensive, but if that makes the difference between you eating them, and letting them rot in your crisper drawer, I say go for it! Trader Joe’s seems to always have some unique things available, but your local grocery has options. Explore! I frequently pick up cole slaw, broccoli slaw, butternut squash (in season), cauliflower, carrots & broccoli already prepped and ready to go.
There is nothing wrong with frozen veggies either, so use them if you want. (Frozen chopped purple sweet potatoes pictured above.) I found them at a local International foods market. I also found pureed purple sweet potatoes & chopped lemongrass in the frozen department. The labels are clean with no additional ingredients! Yay!
Dehydrated/Freeze Dried Onions:
I use these onions (pictured in the canister above) from Thrive foods 90% of the time when I am cooking. Onions are in nearly every recipe I make with meat and veggies and it just saves so much time to use this product. I order this large container from Thrive, but you can get them at any grocery store or bulk food market. Just read labels to be sure you are buying a clean version. You simply throw the amount needed into some water and let them plump up a bit and they are ready to go.
Crushed Garlic:
Again, garlic is in most of my meat recipes so this is a big time saver. This product from Trader Joe’s is one of my favorites, but this kind of thing can be found at most groceries. Just check labels for icky ingredients. This one has California garlic and citric acid. I like that it comes in a small container and I quickly use it up, never have to worry about it going bad.
Ready to Eat Sausages:
I try to keep a couple of these sausages on hand for quick meals. Again, Trader Joe’s has several different flavors available, but so do regular grocery stores. Make sure to look for Gluten Free and no MSG, you may find some additional sweeteners. These are great to slice up, heat and throw into a scramble, hash or salad.
Spice & Seasoning Blends:
I have said it before and I will say it over and over again: I LOVE PENZEY’S! (Tsardust Memories pictured above.) They have a wonderful catalog and website. Order from them, you won’t be sorry. Some of my favorite seasoning blends include Tsardust Memories, Breakfast Sausage Seasoning & Greek Seasoning. These are time savers because they are already premixed and perfect! You don’t have to grab 5 different bottles and measure out amounts when throwing together a 15 minute dinner. There are plenty of these types of mixes on your supermarket shelves (Steak Seasoning pictured above), just make sure to read labels and be sure they don’t sneak anything dirty into them.
Those are some of my most used “cheats” to getting meals ready quickly, but with lots of flavor.
Tonight’s dinner included a few of my shortcuts: sliced Brussels sprouts, Smoked Chicken Chardonnay Apple Sausage & Penzey’s Tsardust Seasoning. No specific measurements, I just sauteed the sweet potatoes & apples in coconut oil till tender, added the Brussels sprouts, seasoned with Tsardust Seasoning and added the sausage. The hubby grilled the sausages for a minute (along with some chicken breast for later in the week) while he watched the Rams game.
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