Versatile wok: Perfect for the frugal cook

photo by random dave
A wok is a great addition to the kitchen. It can easily replace various cooking pans and appliances, because you can fry, boil, smoke and steam in them. The wok ranks right up there with the slow cooker as a must-have item for the frugal cook.

NO-STOVE COOKING: I always use my electric wok. In fact, between that and a microwave, I didn’t need a stove for more than two months. Our stove died, and I just couldn’t find one I was happy with, so I used that until I found one I liked. There is very little that you can’t do in a good wok. — Kelli, New Jersey

REBATES: You can use Rite Aid’s rebates to stockpile toiletries. I’m sure other drugstores have programs, too. You buy certain items and log them on their Web site, and they send you a rebate check each month. I’ve learned to watch the circulars to see what rebate items are going on week to week, and then pair them up with my coupons (sometimes items are free, sometimes just reduced by the rebates). I now have a stockpile of items. — Khaski, New Hampshire

TIP FOR ONIONS: Take a red or yellow onion, carefully cut the bottom (so it will stand), and boil for 20 minutes. The onion should be soft. Cut off the top quarter of the onion, and use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the “heart.” Leave the rest intact. It will look like a cup. Fill this cavity with the stuffing you’d use for stuffed peppers. Mince up the onion hearts into the stuffing, too. — Missy, Colorado

NOTE FROM SARA: I prefer roasting to boiling. You can use seasoned bread stuffing, too. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Prepare onion cups like mentioned above. Place onion cups in 9-by-13-inch pan, and add 1/2 cup water. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, and roast about 20 minutes. Lower oven temperature to 350 F. Pour off excess water in pan. Fill the onion cups with bread stuffing. Bake for 15 minutes.

FRUGAL LAYERS: I wear Cuddle Duds or silk long underwear during the winter. They aren’t expensive and are so thin that you won’t notice them. I even wear them under very thin pants, and nobody has ever noticed that I have them on. They’re good gifts for college students, too. Since they’re silk, they’re not too hot when sitting inside. — Mandidawn, Michigan

WARMING BAGS: Some people make a warming bag by sewing a small bag made from flannel and filling it with white rice. If you don’t sew or don’t have time to sew, just put rice or flaxseed and lavender in a tube sock and knot the end. Microwave for one or two minutes to heat the bag. — Jeanne, Ontario

DUAL-USE CLEANSER: I use shampoo to cleanse my face. I have excessively oily skin that would develop deep acne around my chin and neck. After I started using shampoo to wash my face, I have had very few outbreaks! It’s excellent for deep-pore cleansing. — Graci, Ohio

Posted by Sara Noel on October 12 2008. Filed under Frugal Tips.
Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook