kitchen prep challenge

**craftypam** · 09-30-2009, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Minner77

Thanks so much, craftypam, for both of your posts! Sounds as though I've been needlessly fearing my pressure cooker -- but you hear so many caveats and warnings.... ay caramba!

I have a bunch of porkchops in the freezer, carrots in the fridge, and a new bag of potatoes, so guess what's for dinner as soon as DH gets back from his trip? Can't wait to try it. Thanks for the shot of confidence!

~Mary

Happy to help! Let me know how it goes!

**Palooka** · 10-03-2009, 09:14 PM

Today I cut up the last of a few green peppers that was from the garden for dipping in hummus or sandwiches. They need to be ate fast.

**mauimagic** · 10-03-2009, 09:28 PM

I'm glad tht this thread popped up again - need it to remind myself to be a little more diligent about not wasting food. I'm going to get DH a pressure cooker for our anniversary later this month. I have dehydrated and then used a lot fo my dehydrated veggies in soups, stews and pasta salads - they have worked out great!!

Liked your idea about cooking up dried beans and then freezing them Palooka- think I'll get some of that done. I was gifted a lot of pinto and darker beans - good for chilis - shall get that in my creative list too.

Need more ideas - anyone?

**Palooka** · 10-03-2009, 09:46 PM

You won't regret getting a pressure cooker, for sure. Great fast way to cook food.

It's hard for me sometimes because my family eats different diets. My dh is an omni but he also loves my vegetarian cooking. My kids pretty much eat what I cook, sorta of. lol I'm really bad about pulling things out of the freezer the night before or in the morning. It's hard to plan sometimes because my family is always coming and going. Sometimes they just fend for theirselves.

**Palooka** · 10-03-2009, 09:48 PM

I wonder if I would enjoy and use a dehydrater. I haven't read much of that thread. Are they expensive?

**Luckybustert** · 10-03-2009, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by Palooka

I wonder if I would enjoy and use a dehydrater. I haven't read much of that thread. Are they expensive?

They range from very cheap to very expensive. Initially I bought one of the less expensive ones because I wasn't sure whether we'd really like the dehydrated foods or not. That was about 6 months or so ago. Now I'm ready to trade up to a better model already.

Here's what I'm likely to get: http://tinyurl.com/ycsd37g

But I'm also drooling over this one: http://tinyurl.com/yfxblam

Decisions, decisions!

One thing I knew right off the bat that I wanted was a square one instead of one the rounds ones that are so common.....more drying space!

Something that hubby and I find makes an awesome snack is dried pineapple rings. We get cans of pineapple real cheap at the salvage grocery store and dry them -- makes a yummy sweet treat that's easy to take with us when we're on the go.

**Palooka** · 10-04-2009, 09:35 PM

UGH,

They look cool but I don't think that will be worked in the budget anytime soon. lol. I bet they are fun to work with!

**Luckybustert** · 10-04-2009, 11:11 PM

I find if I prep the produce for use as soon as I get it home then I end up wasting/throwing out so much less of it. And thanks to craftypam for the reminder about the pressure cooker. It really is a great tool for turning the cheaper cuts of meat into something tender and delicious!

**tervsforme** · 10-05-2009, 08:13 AM

I went grocery shopping yesterday and when I got home I cleaned all of the celery and carrots, it makes it a lot easier. I kept the tops of the celery for a soup I'm making tonight, trying to use up every little bit. My mom bought me a bunch of Acorn squash because they were on sale, I think I'm going to bake them up and then freeze in small packages.

I'm going to have to look into the whole pressure cooker thing. My grandmother used one all the time, I've always been a bit afraid of them, but it sure would cut down on the cooking time.