meals

Ask the Readers: What Are Your Favorite Time-Saver Meals?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 08:30:12 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Tiffany, P, and Christina for winning this week's contest!

Every household experiences those hectic days when there just isn't much time for meal prep, but running out to a restaurant every time that happens can quickly burn a hole in your wallet. Having a few tried-and-true, time-saver meals in your back pocket will allow you to feed your family with very little effort at minimal cost.

What are your favorite time-saver meals? What staples do you always keep around to ensure you can whip up a quick meal? What tools or appliances are most helpful to you during meal prep?

Tell us about your favorite time-saver meals and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

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Good Luck!

Tell us about your favorite time-saver meals and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Keep Your Job Hunt From Busting Your Budget

Tim Lemke — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 08:30:16 +0000

Searching for a new job can be a stressful ordeal. There is always a feeling that you could be doing more to make yourself attractive to employers: more networking, more updates to your LinkedIn profile, more classes to boost your skills. This desire to do more, however, sometimes comes with an urge to spend money on products and services that you may not need.

Are you throwing away money during your job search? Here are a handful of things that may not be worth spending money on in your quest for new employment. (See also: Don't Forget About These 7 Job Hunting Expenses)

Resume writers

There are many people who offer advice on how to craft your resume to help you land a job. This can be a useful service, but keep in mind that there's also plenty of free advice out there.

Before spending a significant amount of money on a resume consultant, do a search of some well-regarded business and career publications to see if they've written extensively on this topic. There are also countless examples online of well-crafted, effective resumes that are easy to replicate.

Additionally, it's easy to turn to knowledgeable friends and family for feedback before deciding to pay for outside help. A resume consultant may be useful if you really don't feel confident crafting a resume yourself, but most people are able to get by without one. (See also: Great Ways to Improve Your Resume Today)

Costly networking meals

When you are networking, you may feel it necessary to treat a contact to an expensive meal in order to make a good impression. But this is rarely necessary. People are busy, and generally have no desire to set aside an entire lunch hour or evening just to hear you pitch yourself.

If someone is willing to help you in your job search, they will be fine meeting over a cup of coffee or even just an in-person chat in their office. Remember that your work history and accomplishments are what matter most in your job search, not your ability to pick up the check for a steak dinner. If you feel the need to make a grand gesture to thank someone for their help, do it after you've landed the job.

Expensive clothes

If you are interviewing to be the CEO, it makes sense to spend some bucks to look right for the job. Most job applicants, however, don't need to spend $3,000 for a custom Italian suit.

Sure, you'll want to have appropriate dress clothes and shoes that make you look like a professional. But there's no need to go overboard. Also keep in mind that many employers allow for casual dress. In those situations, you may be able to save money by skipping the suit altogether and wearing tailored, well-fitting clothing. If you don't already have these in your closet, you can buy them for less than $100.

Premium job search engines

Many job boards and career networking sites offer paid services that promise enhanced job listings and the ability to be labeled as a "featured" applicant. These services can come with some bells and whistles that might help you in your job search, but they are not cheap. LinkedIn Premium, for example, starts at $25 per month. These services can't guarantee you'll get a job, and aren't a replacement for having good qualifications and networking.

Costly technology

You may be tempted to go out and get a new computer or smartphone to help you with your job search. Perhaps you think a costly piece of software will enhance your chances of landing a position.

In reality, it's rarely necessary to upgrade your technology just to search for jobs. Sure, a reliable computer will help, along with a phone so companies can reach you. But there are many technological solutions that don't cost a dime, including free online software that can help you easily set up a professional website. Besides, the most important component to getting a new job is the most low-tech one there is: you. Your skills, qualifications, and experience are what matter most.

Travel for jobs you don't want

I'm a firm believer that interviewing for a job can be beneficial, even if it's for a job you aren't crazy about. But if you have to incur significant expense to show up, it's probably not worth it. There's no need to hop on a plane and book a hotel for a job that does not interest you, unless you have a strong indication that it could lead to a more attractive opportunity. Even train fare and parking may be a waste of money if you really don't have an interest in the job.

Education or certifications you don't need

It is true that you should never stop learning, and it's never a bad idea to enhance and expand your skill set to give your career a boost. But you need to be thoughtful in what you pursue.

Why spend thousands of dollars for an associate degree in accounting when your background is in engineering? Why spend thousands more to be trained in Adobe Creative Suite if you have no real interest in graphic design? Remember, there are many professional "certifications" that are not worth the paper they are written on. Taking some classes or gaining skills can boost your career, but only when they can truly help you, and only when these efforts are properly aligned with your goals and strengths. (See also: Are Online Certifications Worth the Price?)

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This article is from Tim Lemke of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Flashback Friday: 47 Brilliant Ways to Save Money on Dinner

Chrissa Hardy — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 10:00:30 +0000

You get home from work. You realize you still need to make dinner. But what should you cook? Naturally, you'll want something quick, easy, healthy, and most importantly, frugal. And why should you settle for anything else? That's exactly how preparing dinner every night should be.

Here are 47 ways to save on dinner tonight.

10 One Pot Meals That Will Transform Dinner — When all the ingredients can be tossed into the same pot, you end up saving time, effort, and also money, since you know one pot can only fit so many items. And if you're a small family, there will probably be plenty of leftovers.

Eat Better and Save Money With These Easy Two-Night Meals — Speaking of leftovers, just because you have extra chili doesn't mean you need to eat it the same exact way the second night. Here are plenty of leftover meals that can be given a delicious twist on night two.

10 Delicious Freeze-Ahead Dinners for Busy Fall Weeknights — Meal prep is truly the key to happiness nowadays. It prevents unnecessary dinner stress, boring meals, and wasting money on takeout when you simply don't feel like cooking. These meals can be made ahead of time, and enjoyed on a crisp autumn night.

Save Money and Eat Better With These 6 Online Meal Planners — Take just a few minutes to plan out your eats for the coming week and you'll be so glad you did. Plus, if the meal planner is free, you really can't go wrong.

8 Quick Dinners for Lazy Cooks — When we say "lazy cook," we really mean "busy, hard-working baller that doesn't have enough time in the day to also cook." But you don't even need that much time (or money) to make a decent meal. Here's your proof.

Get a Week's Worth of Dinners Out of One Chicken — One chicken can go a long way, apparently. Swing by the grocery store and grab a rotisserie chicken, or take a night to roast your own, and you'll be feasting on it for one half of a fortnight. Cheers to that!

This article is from Chrissa Hardy of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Delicious and Frugal Power Bowls You Want Right Now

Marla Walters — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 10:00:10 +0000

Power Bowls are the new "it" girl, or "the new black," in the food world. It's not without good reason, though, because as far as food trends go, this one is pretty good. Filled with a variety of healthy ingredients, Power Bowls are also usually quite visually appealing — and we eat first with our eyes, so that's important. They can be modified for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and are transportable.

So what's the downfall? Having a tried a few myself, I'll tell you: They can be expensive. Ones I have sampled have run between $12 and $22. I don't blame the restaurants, though. If you're ordering a bowl with grilled salmon, red quinoa, kale, and enoki mushrooms, be prepared to pay up. The kitchen uses additional prep time, since how the bowls look is important. Presentation is everything, after all. Instead of tossing all ingredients together, chefs need to take the time to "compose" bowls. Each fresh ingredient lives in its own boldly colored quadrant.

According to the NYMag, the ideal Power Bowl "consists of 15% lean protein, 25% whole grains, 35% vegetables, 10% sauce and 30% extras (including nuts, seeds and sprouts)." Quinoa is a popular "base" in bowls, as just a cup of it has double the protein found in white rice. Brown rice is also a good choice, as it is also higher in magnesium potassium, and selenium.

Here are some tips, tricks, and winning Power Bowl combos.

Prep

To keep costs low, you'll need to do some preparation. To get ready for a week of bowls, cook a pot of brown rice and a pot of quinoa on Sunday. Cool and package in plastic sandwich bags. Roast a large pan of vegetables, chop greens, cook meats, and boil eggs. This will make assembly go quickly during the week. I cheat and use purchased sauces and salad dressings.

1. Roasted Chickpeas, Brown Rice, Diced Chicken, and Red Peppers

Chickpeas are great on their own, but try roasting them for extra crunch. Drain a 15 ounce can of chickpeas and blot dry with a paper towel. Toss with olive oil, red pepper flakes, garlic, and sea salt. Roast in a 400º F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until crunchy. Add to your bowl with brown rice, diced cooked chicken, and chopped red peppers. And I like peanut sauce and chopped cilantro on top.

Keep it frugal: Watch for canned chickpeas to go on sale; and use Costco rotisserie chickens.

2. Burrito-Inspired Bowl

You've likely had one of these at Chipotle, but they're so easy to make at home. Begin with brown rice. Drain and rinse a 15 ounce can of black beans; use about ¼ cup per bowl (freeze any leftovers). Add chicken, corn, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, onions, and sliced avocado. Top with salsa and sour cream, and serve some tortilla chips on the side.

Keep it frugal: Here is another use for that Costco rotisserie chicken. Also, use the carcass to start a pot of stock.

3. Teriyaki Salmon, Quinoa, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, and Red Pepper

Brown rice works equally well in this one. Roasting the vegetables brings out their natural sweetness, which tastes good with the salmon. If possible, grill the salmon, otherwise pan-fry with the red peppers. Top with sliced green onions and a little prepared teriyaki sauce.

Keep it frugal: Buy large pieces of salmon and cut into smaller serving pieces; bag and freeze to use as needed.

4. Buckwheat Breakfast Bowl

Boil buckwheat noodles and broccoli pieces in chicken or vegetable broth. Add a quarter cup of firm, sliced tofu; stir to warm. Gently poach an egg in the pan; serve in bowl sprinkled with sesame seeds. Drizzle with soy sauce.

Keep it frugal: Make your own chicken or vegetable broth; freeze in one-quart plastic sandwich bags. Asian markets may have less expensive noodles than your regular grocery store.

5. Butternut Squash, Quinoa, Kale, and Peanuts

This one is best served hot. Peel and cube squash; microwave. When tender, stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter and mix until coated. For even more flavor, cook quinoa, or reheat, in "lite" coconut milk. Serve with chopped kale; garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro.

Keep it frugal: Peel and cube your own squash instead buying prepared squash in the plastic containers. (See also: 20 Surprisingly Delicious Squash Recipes)

6. Beefy Bowl

Grill and slice steak; place in bowl with brown rice, roasted beets, sliced avocados, baby spinach, and crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle with Sriracha sauce.

Keep it frugal: Use London broil, usually a "top round" cut, which is less expensive. Wash and dry your own spinach instead of buying in bags. Fresh beets are easy to roast. Just wrap in foil, place on a cookie sheet, and roast at 400º F for 40-50 minutes. Skins will slip right off.

7. Peanut Butter-Banana Bowl

This delicious combination will keep you going all morning. To a serving of warm oatmeal, stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter. Top with a sliced banana, flaked coconut, and a few walnut halves.

Keep it frugal: Buy oatmeal in bulk, rather than individual packets.

8. Dad's Special

As a teenager, my dad picked peaches and almonds in the California valley, and that inspired this combination. To warm oatmeal, add sliced peaches, chopped raw almonds, raisins, and vanilla Greek yogurt.

Keep it frugal: Invest in a yogurt maker and make your own, which is super-easy and much less expensive that purchased Greek yogurt.

9. Lentil Curry

Cook lentils in "lite" coconut milk; add prepared red curry sauce to taste. Add to bowl with brown rice, cubed butternut or kabocha squash, shredded purple cabbage, and garnish with cashews.

Keep it frugal: Stock up when squash is in season.

10. Breakfast Fried Rice Bowl

Heat cooked brown rice in a little olive oil; toss in any leftover cooked vegetables — edamame, carrots, and broccoli are good. Crack an egg over the hot rice and vegetables; stir and scramble the egg. Leftover shrimp and tofu are particularly good in this, too. Garnish with soy sauce and green onions.

Keep it frugal: Try to stick to the generic soy sauce, since it basically tastes the same as major brands and will be way cheaper.

Once you have mastered basic "bowl construction," the combinations are endless. Keep in mind that you are looking for lean protein, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Just be sure to watch the calories in any dressings or sauces added.

Any favorite power bowls not listed above? Share with us in the comments!

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This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Hambone Soup and 13 Other Hambone Recipes

Max Wong — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 12:00:03 +0000

It's hard to eat a whole ham — leftovers are almost guaranteed. Even after feeding a crowd, you'll find yourself with a picked-over bone that you may be ready to toss in the trash. Don't do it!

There are tons of inexpensive and utterly delicious dishes you can whip together with leftover ham and hambones. (See also: 10 Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Mashed Potatoes)

(You can even skip buying the whole ham itself and instead ask your butcher if there are any bones available to buy. The HoneyBaked Ham store in Los Angeles sells hambones for a thrifty $3 per pound, and they have a little extra meat to spare.)

1. Crock-Pot Ham Stock

After pulling off the leftover meat (save that for later!), I put leftover ham bones in my Crock-Pot, cover them with a gallon of water, and cook them overnight. The next morning, I have four quarts of bubbling stock. This makes a wonderful base for soups and more.

2. Gumbo

I use the ham stock made in my Crock-Pot to make a version of Leah Chase's Gumbo Z'Herbes. Although gumbo is an expensive dish due to all the meat, a cup of gumbo over steamed rice makes a hearty meal. I had six servings leftover, which freeze well for quickie meals during colder months.

3. Black-Eyed Peas With Ham Hock and Collards

Also made in a slow cooker, this black-eyed peas and collards is a Southern New Year's Day classic, and also the perfect dish to use up leftover Christmas ham.

4. Sandwiches

Don't underestimate the almighty sandwich. Go Italian with a tasty muffaletta for Sunday dinner, or enjoy some Cuban flair with medianoches instead. Also utterly delicious between two fresh slices of bread? Homemade deviled ham.

5. Ham Cakes

Ham cake-ettes are a great way to use up the inevitable post-holiday leftover ham and mashed potatoes. Cover the cakes with panko, and these are the turf version of crab cakes.

6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Ham

Even picky eaters will love roasted Brussels sprouts with ham and garlic. The sprouts caramelize when they roast, which gives them beautiful texture.

7. Hoppin' John

The Lowcountry classic Hoppin' John is perfect for breakfast, and is similar to beans and rice. The ingredients are super cheap — you probably already have most of them sitting in your pantry right now.

8. Grits or Polenta

One of my favorite sides to bring to any potluck is a cheesy grits casserole. Top the dish with some crispy cubes of cooked ham and a sprinkle of green onion, and you're guaranteed to return home with an empty pan. One of the great things about this dish is that it can be frozen for later. It reheats nicely under the broiler or in the microwave, perfect for breakfasts down the road.

For people who are just too fancy for grits, polenta (the grits of Italy) makes excellent hammy spoon bread or ham and cheddar gratin.

9. Ham and Cheese Pretzel Calzones

The next time you're entertaining, blow your friends away with these ham and cheese pretzel calzones. (Instead of cheddar cheese, I substitute brie and it is delicious.)

10. Choucroute Garnie

A classic Alsatian dish, choucroute garnie is a rustic mix of sauerkraut with sausages and other salted meats (like ham!). I omitted wine from my recipe and still enjoyed it.

11. Arroz Frito Cubano

I used my last bit of leftover ham and my last two cups of stock to make arroz frito cubano, a Chino-Cubano dish. I cooked the steamed rice in ham stock instead of water, and used up all the leftover ingredients from the week's dishes to make a thrifty meal.

12. Ham Omelet

I made a super fun green eggs and ham Denver omelet by combining Martha Stewart's recipe for pesto eggs with the classic omelet recipe from the Denver Post. Kids will love this one, too.

13. Pasta

Yes, ham also goes great with pasta. Make a filling and comforting pasta with creamy ham sauce, or use it to stuff spinach and ham ravioli.

14. Flavorful Additions

Another great way to use up leftover ham is by simply adding it to any dish you like for a flavorful kick. It makes a perfect topping for homemade pizzas, filling for quesadillas, or stuffing for savory pies. Get creative!

What are your favorite ways to use leftover ham?

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This article is from Max Wong of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

21 Fresh Food Delivery Services That Can Save You Big

Andrea Cannon — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 11:15:16 +0000

Food delivery services help you stick to your grocery budget, avoid impulse buys, and even save on gas. We've covered some of the best below, and most of them offer free trials. So what are you waiting for?!

1. Instacart

Instacart works by connecting you with a local personal shopper in your area. They handpick the best produce and groceries available, so you can expect the best quality. However, if they cannot find the item you need, most personal shoppers will not send a replacement item.

While many shoppers agree you won't always find the lowest prices at Instacart, most do find that their excellent customer service is worth the slightly higher price tag. With Instacart, you can choose and rate your personal shoppers, compare prices and selection at a range of stores, and even shop at Costco without a membership card. You can schedule delivery within the hour, in two hours, or at a time most convenient for you. They offer delivery in many major cities throughout the U.S.

You can enjoy free delivery if you pay $99 per year for Instacart Express. Otherwise, delivery starts at $3.99 for orders over $35, and $7.99 on orders under $35. They also charge a few dollars more for delivery during the busiest times of the day, which they call "Busy Pricing." The minimum order required is only $10, and you can get your first delivery for free to try out the service with no commitment.

2. AmazonFresh

For the steep cost of $299 per year, you'll receive unlimited free deliveries on orders over $50, cheaper groceries, an AmazonPrime membership, and a free Dash. Dash is a unique tool that allows you to quickly add groceries to your cart by scanning a barcode or speaking into the device.

AmazonFresh offers prices lower than most delivery services and has an unrivaled selection of products. They can even deliver items from local shops and restaurants. If you already have Amazon Prime, you can enjoy a one-month free trial of AmazonFresh with no commitment. They claim to offer same-day delivery, but usually, you will have to wait one to two days. They currently deliver to most metropolitan areas and are expanding their service area constantly, so check your address to see if they deliver to you.

3. Safeway

At Safeway, you will find prices that are better than Instacart, but not quite as low as AmazonFresh. On the other hand, there are no annual charges — only delivery, which may save you money in the end. They offer $12.95 delivery on orders under $150, and $9.95 delivery on orders over $150. Use code EASY7 for free delivery on your first order.

They do offer same-day delivery, but if you're flexible with time, you can save as much as $6. If you include five "participating products" in your order, delivery is also free. Both Safeway (and Vons, a subdivision) offer a great selection of products. You can also place your order on the Safeway app for added convenience.

4. Peapod

Peapod offers affordable prices comparable to what you'd find at the local grocery store. However, they have the highest required minimum order of $60, so they aren't ideal for last-minute shopping. Delivery costs are $9.95 on orders under $100, and $6.95 on orders $100 or more. If you're willing to pick up your order, they'll only charge $2.95 to pack your groceries for you, but you'll miss out on the convenience of delivery. Peapod serves many major cities in the Northeast, as well as select areas of Wisconsin and Illinois.

5. Local Favorites

Some other notable grocery delivery services that are available in select cities include:

Google Express — Select cities
WalmartToGo — Select cities
Fresh Direct — New York City and Philadelphia
Good Eggs — San Francisco
Pink Dot — Los Angeles
Envoy — Southwest and West Coast
Yummy — Los Angeles
Deliveer — Los Angeles and Vancouver
KaleCart — Los Angeles

6. Meal in a Box

There are several "meal in a box" options, where the recipes and all the necessary ingredients are delivered right to your door. These meal subscription services can be delivered on a weekly, monthly, or less frequent basis. (See also: The 10 Best Monthly Subscription Box Services). Some of the most popular options include:

7. Restaurant Delivery Services and Takeout

There is nothing easier than ordering a full meal for delivery straight from your computer or smartphone. Several meal delivery services, like Postmates and DoorDash, will also make a stop at your local drug or grocery store. Some of the most popular restaurant delivery service providers include:

How the Services Work

All you need to do is place your grocery order online or through a mobile app. You can even reference previous orders and favorite items for later. Once you place your order, you can schedule a delivery time, and sit back and wait. Most services offer same-day delivery, some within the hour. Your items will be carefully protected and temperature-controlled during transit, arriving fresh and ready to enjoy.

One drawback to online grocery shopping is not being able to pick out your own items. If you are picky about certain foods (like produce), mention that in your delivery notes for your professional shopper.

Will You End Up Spending More?

Online grocery delivery services are not necessarily more expensive than traditional grocery shopping. In fact, many online grocers offer costs that rival or beat your local store's prices. If you factor in that most shoppers spend at least 10% of their budget on impulse buys, you can save quite a bit by shopping online.

When you shop online, you cannot take advantage of any printed coupons. On the other hand, you can find unique online discounts and promo codes that in-store shoppers won't have. Delivery fees are also very reasonable, especially when you factor in what you would normally be spending on gas. To save even more, make sure to only purchase groceries when you have a fairly large order — smaller orders actually incur higher delivery fees.

Have you ordered food or groceries for delivery? What was your experience like? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

16 Classic Foods We Miss

Marla Walters — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 11:00:17 +0000

Before we go on this nostalgic journey featuring the staple dishes our parents served, I must admit that there are foods I do not miss. Those include anything in aspic, objects that came out of a ring mold, and luncheon meat that had… stuff in it. There are probably some entrees that your mother used to make and you miss, though, so let's take a trip down memory lane.

1. Chicken and Dumplings

"A fricassee without dumplings is like a wedding without a bride." (Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book,1950)

Um, okay, that cookbook editor really took her dumplings seriously. Well, she was right. Stewed chicken is good, but it's way better with fluffy dumplings. Herbed dumplings are even better, and this recipe has been lightened up considerably.

2. Chicken a La King

"Hey, it's s__t on a shingle." — My dad

This meal was one of my mother's standbys when her budget was tight. It is cheap, filling, and fast to put together. You can also serve over any type of starch, such as noodles, toasts, biscuits, rice, etc. I tested an old recipe from one of my vintage cookbooks and, while very good, it was just too heavy for me. This chicken a la king recipe, however, is lightened-up and very satisfying.

3. Boeuf Bourguignon

"It's a perfectly delicious dish." — Julia Child

Child's classic recipe is not difficult, and it's absolutely wonderful. As a newlywed, it was my go-to dinner party dish. Toss a salad, and get some really crusty bread out.

4. Stroganoff

"Sprinkle parsley around with a lavish hand." (The Complete I Hate to Cook Book, 1960)

A working mother, my mom was not enamoured of fixing dinner. She relied heavily on the I Hate to Cook Book. One of her favorites was "Skid Road Stroganoff," a recipe title I adore. I don't use condensed soups, but if you are capable of making a white sauce, that is a good substitute.

5. Swiss Steak

"Midway between pot roast and stew, this is a fine way to use a less than tender steak." (The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, 1896)

Sure, it needs tenderizing, but this steak is well worth the elbow grease. (I like my OXO mallet for tenderizing tough cuts.) Noodles with parsley and butter go well with this and lend to the authenticity.

6. Hash

"A dish popular with many persons is corned-beef hash with poached eggs on top of the hash. A slice of toast is sometimes used under the hash. This suggests a way of utilizing the small amount of corned-beef hash which would otherwise be insufficient for a meal." (Practical Suggestions for Mother and Housewife)

When I was a kid, hash would make an appearance a night or two after a roast beef supper. Thrifty housewives used up those roasts. I loved my mother's version, which included onions, green peppers, and red potatoes. She did hers in the oven and managed to get a nice crispy top on it. Hash has made somewhat of a comeback, and you see it a lot with an egg on top (absolutely excellent). There are so many varieties of hash. In Hawaii, corned-beef hash is very popular. The ingredients are chopped finely, made into patties, and fried.

7. Yankee Pot Roast

"Men especially like this dish..." (Farm Journal's Country Cookbook, 1959)

Well, true, but so does everyone else. I have one of these pot roasts on my stove this very minute and we're all just salivating. The dogs are staring at me, hopefully. Not only will there be gravy, but I will make popovers (below). I feel like June Cleaver.

8. French Onion Soup

"Dress it up with a sprinkling of cheese." (Farm Journal's Country Cookbook)

A "sprinkling" of cheese? Sorry, but that layer of cheese on French onion soup is one of the best parts. The worst part? The dishwashing — be forewarned, it's a mess (but well worth it).

9. Goulash

"An eye-catcher — spicy red sauce trickles through buttery noodles." (Farm Journal's Country Cookbook)

My mother made goulash. My mother-in-law made goulash. The dishes looked totally different, but were both delicious. There is apparently a lot of leeway in making goulash. This concoction is inexpensive, and feeds a crowd.

10. Meatloaf

"My mom makes a great meatloaf..." (Sam Choy's Little Hawaiian Cookbook for Big Appetites, 2003)

Unfortunately, mine didn't, but 4-H saved me. One of our projects was to cook a complete meal from Betty Crocker's The Cookbook for Boys and Girls. I opted for the meatloaf recipe, which, as you can see, is still out there. Baked in a pie pan and topped with mashed potatoes, it is dandy. However, if you want to make a delicious meatloaf that people will really want to eat, Mr. Choy's, referenced above, wins. His contains fresh ginger, pineapple, and has a teriyaki glaze.

11. Potatoes Au Gratin

"You won't go wrong on this." (Farm Journal's Country Cookbook)

Why? Because pretty much everyone likes tender, creamy, potatoes, topped with cheese. Potatoes au gratin look, and taste, great. You used to see this dish a lot at potlucks and, well, funerals. Hey, it's comfort food. It could be 101 degrees in the shade, but on Sunday, my grandmother would take a ham and a pan of potatoes au gratin out of her Wedgewood oven. It would be devoured, and then all the uncles would take their Cokes and cigarettes outside. Yep.

12. Popovers

"High hat muffins, popped so they are crusty shells, hollow inside." (Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book)

These are not hard to make and holy smokes, are they ever good. If you have never had a homemade popover, try these, and thank me later. They are one of my father's favorite things. They go particularly well with Yankee Pot Roast (above) but are also good with butter. Lots and lots of butter.

13. Creamed Corn

"They'll want more, so make two..." (Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book)

Homemade creamed corn is nothing like the canned version. If you were scarred by the canned stuff as a child, don't worry. I promise this is different. I like a little Tabasco on mine. It goes with everything — meat, poultry, fish. When fresh corn hits that four-for-$1 price, make this.

14. Succotash

"Cut hot boiled corn from cob, add equal quantity of hot boiled shelled beans; season with butter and salt; reheat before serving." (The Boston School of Cooking Cook Book, 1896)

Although my husband loves the stuff, I have issues with lima beans. However, my way around it was this succotash recipe. Although it still has some lima beans, I found that decreasing those, and increasing the zucchini, worked for me. The garlic-butter-olive-oil and onion combo gave it loads of flavor. Try it with fried chicken and sliced, fresh tomatoes. This is a great summer meal.

15. Coffee Cake

"Hey, how come you never make coffee cake?" — My husband

I think that coffee cake, which is absolutely delicious, just got buried under trendier gluten-free pancakes, cronuts, and Belgian waffles. Let's dig it out, though, because it's so good. I especially like the version that has buttery brown sugar crumbles on top. My mother-in-law used to make a coffee cake, fresh coffee, and have the neighbor ladies over for a chat. Let's bring that back.

16. Meringues

"Fill angel-white or light-brown meringue pie shells with ice cream... You'll have a praiseworthy dessert." (Farm Journal's Country Cookbook)

My Auntie Lo laughed a lot, wore bright-red lipstick, and made the best meringues in the world. When you touched your fork to the delicate meringue, it shattered into sugary shards. She would top pies with them, or fill them with berries and ice cream. They are not terribly hard to make, unless you live in a lot of humidity. If you do, I wouldn't bother.

Okay, readers. What staple dishes do you miss?

This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

31 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Your Summer Veggies

Laurel Randolph — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 15:00:18 +0000

Summer doesn't just bring fun and sun, it also brings a bounty of fresh veggies like corn, tomatoes, and squash. It's arguably the best time of year for vegetable lovers, and it'd be a crying shame if you didn't take full advantage of it. The following 31 recipes should get you started!

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are far and away at their best this time of year, so this is the time to really enjoy them. Look for bright red, ripe fruits, or seek out especially tasty heirloom varieties.

1. Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad

Combine two of summer's favorite fruits — watermelon and heirloom tomatoes — into one sweet and savory salad that's really simple to make.

2. Fresh Tomato Sauce

Snatch up as many fresh tomatoes as you can while they're in season, and make a big batch of fresh tomato sauce. Freeze or can it for a taste of summer all year long.

3. Grilled Tomato Gazpacho

Showcase tomatoes in all their glory by making an easy gazpacho soup. The chilled dish is a great way to beat the summer heat.

4. Heirloom Tomato and Avocado Salad

Celebrate the pure flavor of heirloom tomatoes in this satisfying tomato and avocado salad that won't weigh you down. Orzo and chickpeas add heft, and fresh tomatoes, arugula, and basil keep it seasonal and light.

Squash

Summer squash is yellow and can be crook-necked or straight like a zucchini. They'll last for up to a week in the fridge.

5. Grilled Summer Squash Boats

Gluten free and vegetarian, this recipe is healthy and quick enough for a weeknight meal. Other summer produce like tomatoes, basil, and bell pepper are stuffed into grilled squash boats and topped with melty cheese.

6. Penne With Grilled Summer Squash and Sweet Corn

Smoky grilled squash, sweet corn, and fresh tomato combine with penne and ricotta cheese for a summery pasta dish.

7. Ridiculously Easy Roasted Yellow Squash

Sometimes simple is best. An easy side dish of roasted yellow squash and onions brings out their natural sweetness, and pairs well with meat or other veggies.

Zucchini

This green vegetable is everywhere this time of year, and is especially versatile. Use it for bread, as a side dish, as noodles, and more.

8. Zucchini Noodles and Grilled Shrimp

Ditch the pasta and replace it with strands of tender zucchini for a light summer meal. Combined with grilled shrimp and pesto, this zucchini noodle dish hits at the right notes.

9. Sautéed Zucchini

A great way to prepare zucchini is by simply sautéing it in oil and adding a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Serve sautéed zucchini with chicken or pork.

10. Healthy Greek Yogurt Zucchini Bread

If you're swimming in fresh zucchini, shred some up and make zucchini bread. This version uses Greek yogurt and ripe banana to replace much of the fat and sugar.

11. Zucchini Fries

For a healthier version of french fries, bake up a batch of zucchini fries. Roll pieces of zucchini in a simple batter and bake until crispy for a delicious side or snack.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers come in a rainbow of colors, and they're all equally delicious in the summertime. Cut them up for a crudite platter, or cook them in one of the following recipes.

12. Marinated Bell Peppers

When putting together an appetizer plate, include these flavorful marinated bell peppers. They're great with cheese, olives, bread, crackers, and more.

13. Cheesy Quinoa and Turkey Sloppy Joe Stuffed Bell Peppers

Hollowed out fresh bell peppers are perfect for stuffing with savory ingredients and baking for a convenient meal. These stuffed bell peppers have the flavor of sloppy joes, but with healthier ingredients like quinoa and turkey.

14. Seared Steak, Pepper, and Onion Fajitas

Fajitas wouldn't be fajitas without sliced bell peppers. Seared and sliced steak and onion join the peppers for a classic Tex-Mex feast.

Hot Peppers

If you're into spicy food, then this is your time of year. From jalapeños to habaneros, hot peppers are now in season.

15. Jalapeño Poppers

Jalapeño poppers are the ultimate party food. They're crispy, spicy, and filled with gooey cheese. And now you can make your own at home!

16. Hot Pepper Relish

Add a delicious kick to your hot dogs or sausages with homemade hot pepper relish. This recipe will last in the fridge for a month without the hassle of canning.

Eggplant

Deep purple eggplants are hearty and almost meaty, making them really handy for a vegetarian diet. They're great on sandwiches, with pasta, and made into a dip.

17. Eggplant Lasagna

Eggplant and Italian food are meant to be together. This eggplant lasagna is a perfect example, and only has a few ingredients!

18. Homemade Baba Ganoush

Baba ganoush is an easy and tasty appetizer that happens to be low fat, too. Simply grill or roast a couple of eggplants, scoop out the flesh, and whirl it up with tahini, garlic, and lemon.

19. Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Heros

Lighten up the typical eggplant parm sub by firing up the grill. These grilled eggplant parmesan heros with fresh tomato sauce will have everyone raving.

Corn

Nothing tastes quite like summer like fresh sweet corn on the cob. Whenever possible, buy ears that were picked fresh, and use them as soon as possible.

20. Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn)

Take grilled corn up a notch and make Mexican grilled corn, or elote. After being grilled, cobs are slathered in mayonnaise, lime, and spices.

21. Summer Corn Chowder

Corn chowder is a rare summertime soup that's hearty and light at the same time. It's creamy, smoky, sweet, and just plain delicious.

22. Fresh Corn Skillet Cornbread

To go with all of the meats you'll be grilling up this summer, use some of summer's favorite vegetable to make fresh corn cornbread. Buttermilk makes this bread moist and flavorful.

23. Corn Salsa

A fresh corn salsa is a simple and easy way to eat the summer veg. Just add tomatoes, lime, and cilantro, and serve with chips.

Cucumber

Crunchy cucumbers come in a few different varieties, with some types making better pickles than others. Eat them cut up with dip or slice them into salads.

24. Lemony Cucumber Salad

Cucumbers, radishes, and bell peppers are dressed with lemon and white wine vinegar for a bright summertime salad.

25. Spicy Dill Quick Pickles

Transform cucumbers into an irresistible spicy and tart snack overnight with this quick pickle recipe.

26. Chilled Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Noodles

Just like zucchini, cucumber makes beautifully light, fresh noodles. Chilled cucumber noodles with a sweet and spicy sauce is a perfect hot weather dish.

Tomatillos

If you've ever wondered what salsa verde, or green salsa, is made of, this is it. The crunchy little veggies are surrounded by a husk, and take well to being charred.

27. Salsa Verde

Salsa verde (green salsa) is super fresh, and you can adjust the spices as you see fit. Serve as a dip or with tacos.

28. Steak and Corn Salad With Tomatillos

Raw tomatillos add crunch to this meaty summer salad. Spice-rubbed seared steak and fresh summer veggies make for an all-in-one meal.

Green Beans

Fresh-picked green beans can be eaten raw for a crunchy and fresh experience, or they can be cooked in a variety of ways. Don't overcook them or they'll turn to mush.

29. Green Beans With Bacon Vinaigrette

Fresh green beans are briefly cooked before being tossed with shallots, crispy bacon, and a simple vinaigrette in this tasty side dish. You'll be wondering why everyone doesn't serve green beans with bacon all the time.

30. Tempura-Fried Green Beans

Turn this summertime green veggie into a crispy, crunchy appetizer. Tempura-fried green beans are totally addictive, especially when they're dipped into a mustard sauce.

31. Potato and Green Bean Salad

This classic French side dish tastes great served hot or cold, and mustard vinaigrette makes these potatoes and green beans sing.

What are your favorite summer veggie dishes?

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This article is from Laurel Randolph of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Quick Dinners for Lazy Cooks

Jennifer Holder — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 17:00:13 +0000

I am the laziest cook in existence. Although I don't mind cooking and I'm not bad at it, I just usually think of 100 other ways I could spend my time and end up eating a sandwich or cooking a frozen meal. But through the years, I've discovered some recipes I love that are either easy or quick, and they have plenty of portions for later.

1. Skillet Chicken Enchiladas

These chicken enchiladas require minimal effort besides chopping a few veggies. I used to buy fresh garlic and chop it, but in the past year, I've bought the pre-chopped jar from the grocery store. It's easier to use and it doesn't spoil as quickly. Another option is to replace fresh vegetables with Rotel (if you're in a hurry).

2. 15-Minute Chicken Chili

My roommate makes chili at least once a week and puts it into separate containers for work lunches. Even more impressive? Her chili only takes about 30 minutes to cook and is pretty simple. While this chicken chili recipe isn't hers, it's close enough and only takes 15 minutes (as long as you've pre-cooked your chicken)! Add fresh vegetables and switch out the chicken with beans or tofu, and you have an even healthier option!

3. Swiss Chard Egg Bake

Swiss chard is in season and is a wonderfully healthy alternative to grains. I stumbled upon this Whole Foods' recipe for an egg bake with Swiss chard when I Googled the ingredients in my fridge last year. I made a couple changes — adding bacon to the mix and less cheese (again, based on what I had in my fridge). Serve with whole grain toast and you have a fun take on breakfast for dinner.

4. Chicken Tacos

I recently hosted a party at my house and slow cooked meats all day. Everyone's favorite was this shredded chicken taco meat recipe, which was the easiest thing I've ever made. There's a different variation from Two Healthy Kitchens that uses salsa instead of chicken broth, but it's really up to you! While the title of this article suggests "quick," don't forget the Crock-Pot was invented for lazy people. You just throw everything together, leave, and come home to a meal. Add sour cream, fresh salsa, guacamole, fresh veggies, and cheese, and you've got delicious tacos for dinner!

5. Goat Cheese and Zucchini Frittata

A cast iron skillet should be as much a part of your kitchen as a slow cooker, especially if you're lazy. Frittatas are the easiest dish to make, and super quick! Cook the eggs with zucchini, goat cheese and roasted red pepper (from a jar) and you've got a flavorful meal. Pair with a fresh salad.

6. Gingery Shrimp and Couscous

Couscous is a great staple to any diet. Shrimp is always quick to cook (in fact, if you cook it too long, you ruin it). Pair the two together and cook with ginger, onions, and snow peas and you have something delectable.

7. Salmon With Bok Choy and Rice

Salmon is super easy and quick to make, and is full of antioxidants and omega-3s. Bake the salmon for 8–10 minutes and steam bok choy simultaneously with minute rice and your meal is complete.

8. Pasta With Heirloom Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, and Basil

This atypical pasta doesn't have marinara, but instead a combination of country ham, arugula, tomatoes, and more. Buzzfeed compiled an additional 27 pasta dishes that are all under 30 minutes. They all sound delicious!

What are some quick dinners you like to cook?

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This article is from Jennifer Holder of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Tips for Camping Cooking

Nick Wharton — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:00:15 +0000

Imagine, if you will the smell of fresh coffee and bacon frying, a flannel-lined sleeping bag, and finding the constellation Orion in the night sky. Whatever your favorite aspect is about camping, a little organization beforehand definitely enhances the experience, so below are some tips about how to fix great meals in your "great outdoors" kitchen.

1. Table or Picnic Table

Some campgrounds have spaces where there are picnic tables on site. But if you aren't camping in a place where they have tables, you may need to improvise. If you are going to be camping someplace fairly flat, these fold-up picnic sets are nice. Otherwise, I make do with a card table. Using the picnic table for both eating and as a kitchen gets crowded. If you have a truck, the tailgate works nicely as a cooking or dishwashing area.

2. Water

This is information you need to know before you head out. Will the campground have drinking water available? If not, you will need to haul it. I like these Aqua-Tainers, which hold seven gallons of water. Before first use, though, wash them out to get rid of some of the plastic-y odor.

3. Table Covers

I like a plastic tablecloth because I can wipe it down, which is nice after chipmunks have been traipsing across your dining room. Once you get that tablecloth down, though, you'll need to keep it there, which is why I use these A-clamps. These babies will keep that tablecloth on the table, even in a storm (been there, done that).

4. Camp Stove

You may have romantic ideas about cooking over a campfire, but except for hot dogs and marshmallows, it's a pain. Instead, invest in a camp stove (also super-handy to have when your power goes out at home). This one has two burners — just right for one pan of trout and another of eggs and fried potatoes.

5. Shelter

Depending upon where you may be camping, there may be a lot of insects, which can get incredibly annoying. We invested in a screened "EZ Up," which made life a lot more pleasant while cooking and eating. It had the added benefit of keeping the squirrels out (and they can be real pests).

6. Ice Chests/Ice

I like my "rolling" ice chest just fine for a day at the park, but for serious camping, you need a large cooler. The wheels on a rolling ice chest don't work on rugged terrain, and you'll need a lot of room. Keeping cold foods cold is serious business.

Here is how we like to pack our ice chest so that things stay cold:

First, put plastic ice blocks along the bottom of the ice chest.
Pre-freeze meats and poultry.
Refrigerate other items before they go in, so that all food is cold to begin with.
I like the extra step of putting loose ice over everything, which keeps it really good and cold.

7. Washing Up

I may ask for this washing set-up for my birthday, but until then, I will continue to cope with two plastic washtubs. Remember the dish soap, a sponge, and a dish towel. I refuse to pack "real" plates, instead opting for paper plates and plastic utensils. However, I still use "real" coffee cups, because I think it's so nice to have coffee in a ceramic mug. Before I start breakfast, I get a kettle of water going so that when we are done eating I have hot water for dishwashing at the ready.

8. Thwarting Varmints

Yes, some of those woodsy creatures are cute, but they can be pests, too, or even scary. If you are staying at a state or county campground, I would advise asking the ranger about necessary precautions (and then following them). Many campgrounds have special bear-proof garbage cans, or advise you to use "bear bags." Clean up after eating, and don't leave food laying around. Your ice chest should go back into your car for safety.

9. Food Prep

Make things easy on yourself by doing as much food preparation as possible ahead of time. When I was a kid, my mother had this summer schedule: Plan meals on Tuesday. Shop on Wednesday. Bake on Thursday. Pack up and drive to camping location Friday. We were hard-core campers, and while this may sound like a lot of work, we all chipped in on the chores and loved it.

To further simplify camping cooking: chop vegetables and put into plastic bags, freeze stews, and marinate meats. Wash fruits, hard-boil some eggs, pack the "add water" pancake mix and syrup. "Bar" cookies, like Rice Krispies or chocolate chips made in a pan, hold up better than thinner cookies, which will get smashed. It doesn't hurt to throw in a jar of peanut butter and a loaf of bread, in case it rains and you can't cook. Plan each meal ahead of time and think it through — including what utensils you will need.

You'll also want kitchen basics, such as:

Ziploc bags
Cutting board
Aluminum foil
Knives
Matches
A lighter
Newspaper (for campfire)
Can opener
Garbage bags
Paper towels
Coffee pot or French press
Kettle
Pots and pans
Lanterns for cooking area
Spatulas, spoons, tongs
Salt and pepper
Rope and bungee cords (always handy)

10. Most Essential

Lastly, you are likely going someplace wooded where you can cut sticks for marshmallows, but if not, don't forget these special marshmallow-toasting implements. They also work for hot dogs!

Happy camping! What are your favorite camping cooking tips?

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Barbecue Hacks to Master This Summer

Mikey Rox — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 21:00:18 +0000

Chill out while you grill out with these flame-broiled hacks designed to make barbecuing faster, easier, and more delicious.

1. Clean the Grill Without Leaving Harmful Residue

Before you start grillin' up a storm, the grates should be cleaned. Doesn't matter if you used it last night or last year, you owe it to yourself and those you're feeding to cook on a sanitary surface. I know what you're thinking — doesn't the open flame kill any potential bacteria? Yep, but that's not the issue; the problem lies in the leftover carcinogens. Probably didn't know that was a thing, did you?

To clean the grill grates, it's best to use steel wool pads instead of the very popular metal-bristled grill brush you're probably using. Of course that means that you'll need actually wash the grates opposed to dry scrubbing them. Why? The steel-wool heads at Brillo explain.

"The CDC sent out an announcement regarding the dangers of swallowing grill brush bristles, which have the potential to get caught in food and can be consumed," says Eric Phillips, Brillo's resident cleaning expert. "Use a Brillo pad and a little water to scrub grill grates clean. This prevents the hazard of potentially swallowing grill bristles."

2. Marinate Your Meat for a Healthier Meal

Marinating your meat not only kicks the flavor up another notch, but it's one more way to reduce the amount of carcinogens you're consuming as a byproduct of the grilling process.

First, a bit of science from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR): "The combination of meat with intense heat is what prompts scientists to caution against traditional grilling," according to an article on the AICR website. "The substances in the muscle proteins of red meat, poultry, and seafood react under high heat to form carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs). HCAs can damage the DNA of our genes and contribute to the process of cancer development. Consumption of HCAs is most clearly linked to cancers of the colon and stomach."

Marinating meat helps reduce carcinogens by up to 96% compared to meat that was grilled without marinating.

Other ways to cut down on health hazards when grilling meat include:

Limiting portion sizes and cutting smaller pieces to shorten cook time;
Buying leaner cuts that prevent dripping fat from causing flare-ups, which can deposit carcinogens on the meat;
Flipping meat frequently to reduce carcinogens that may arise;
Reducing the heat; cooking at slightly lower temperatures is enough to substantially reduce HCA formation.

3. Let Your Meat Come to Room Temperature Before Grilling

I'm an avid viewer of cooking shows, and I learned this trick many years ago. Bringing your meat to room temperature prior to cooking allows it to cook faster and more evenly since the meat will be the same temperature throughout, opposed to straight from the fridge where it will rise in temperature from the outside in.

4. Grill Your Favorite Fish on Citrus Slices

Forgot to marinate your fish? No problem. Infuse your cut with citrus that you've arranged directly on the grill. "Before you grill your next salmon fillet, carefully arrange several slices of Meyer lemon on your grill and cook them salmon directly over the slices," say the grill spice makers at Spiceologist. "Cut your citrus in quarter-inch slices, and feel free to experiment with other flavors like blood orange, lime, grapefruit."

5. Steam Corn in Its Husk on the Grill

Instead of fully husking your corn before it hits the grates, undress it only half way and dip it in a quick bath to get the best of both worlds — that fresh-from-the-grill flavor and the tenderness of steaming. The Deck Chef Kent Whitaker, winner of an Emeril Live barbecue contest, shares his tips:

"When you want to grill corn, remove most of the husk except the very last layer or two, keeping the corn silk in, then submerge your corn in water for 30 seconds to a minute before putting on the grill," he says. "The corn will do a better job of steaming within the husk during cooking and will allow for grill marks in the later stages of grilling. Likewise, the silk is very easy to remove after the fact."

6. Turn up the Heat on the Juiciest Burgers EVER

I can picture it now: That perfectly cooked burger on a toasted bun with all the fixins', juice dripping down my chin upon first bite. It's the stuff foodie dreams are made of, and Tony Roma's Executive Chef Bob Gallagher has tips and tricks to help achieve perfection all summer long.

Use all areas of the grill and rotate burgers 90 degrees around the grill. Move burgers from the front of the grill to the back of the grill and vice versa, which will ensure even cooking. Burgers will cook faster in the back of the grill.

Pre-heat the grill to at least 500 degrees before placing meat on the grill. This helps create a sear flavor to complement the meat.
The grill lid is your friend. Use it, and resist the urge to constantly lift the lid to check or flip burgers. You only need to flip once! Less flipping keeps the juices intact for mouthwatering flavor.

7. Speed up the Low-and-Slow Process

We've all heard it before: If you want authentic BBQ — pulled pork, spare ribs, brisket, the works — you have to cook it "low and slow." But who has time to start the cooking process a day in advance? Luckily, the same results can be achieved in half the time, says BBQ expert Scott Thomas, owner of the website GrillinFools and writer for Char-Broil and Smithfield Pork.

To reduce your cooking time, "Up the heat to 350 and smoke for two-three hours and then foil," he says. "The meat is only taking on the smoke for a couple hours so once the smoke is infused, wrap it in foil with a little liquid to hyper-accelerate the breakdown of connective tissues. That 15-hour brisket is now done in six to seven hours. Pork butts, even less."

8. Let the Meat Rest and Relax Before Serving

You should always let you meat rest after grilling. It's very tempting to cut right in, of course, but — as the old saying goes — good things come to those who wait. Culinary and BBQ expert Chef Michael Vignola of the Strip House steakhouse in New York City explains why.

"Once you have achieved the desired temperature, remove the steak from the heat and allow it to rest for at least five minutes on a grate over a pan before cutting it," he says. "You want to make sure there is air all around the steak to stop the cooking process. The internal juices will redistribute throughout the steak and the steak will relax and become tender. Cutting too soon will allow the juices to spill out, turning a medium rare steak into a medium plus steak."

9. Use a Muffin Tin to Cut Down on Condiment Containers

I thought this hack was quite brilliant. By putting all your condiments in a muffin tin, you can cut down on all those bottles and jars that never stay in one place. This video on how to use a plain muffin tin to transform the way you BBQ shows you just how many fixins' you can fit in a standard tin. You'll find mustard, mayo, and ketchup, of course, but there's plenty of room for relish, onions, jalapenos, and more. Best of all, it's easy to transport, whether you're cooking out in your backyard or on the beach.

10. Charbroil a Fast-But-Fancy Dessert

What's for dessert? Skip the cookies and cake and serve up a juicy and delicious dish of grilled fruit. Peaches, for instance, grill particularly well. Sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon-sugar that will caramelize on the grill as they cook, then serve with creamy vanilla ice cream. Or, if you want to get a little funkier, try rubbing Spiceologist's Smoky Honey Habanero on fresh pineapple halves. That'll wake up your taste buds in a jif.

Do you have more BBQ hacks to recommend? I'd love to hear 'em. Let me know in the comments below.

This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

4 Easy Ways to Automate Your Everyday Life

Emily Guy Birken — Wed, 20 May 2015 21:00:10 +0000

I once had a colleague who ate the exact same lunch every day: an apple, a carton of yogurt, and a handful of crackers.

When I asked him if he got bored with the sameness of his daily lunch, he explained that he used to pack sandwiches and leftovers for lunch every day — and found himself gaining weight. He realized that if he ate the same thing for breakfast and lunch every day, then he could eat whatever he wanted for dinner and maintain his weight without having to think about it.

What my colleague had discovered was the importance of automation in achieving goals.

Decision Fatigue

Our brains have a limited amount of bandwidth for making decisions, leading to a phenomenon known as decision fatigue. When you are forced to make small decision after small decision each day, you have less bandwidth available to make the big choices that will help you achieve your goals. If you are able to free yourself of the small decisions through automation, then you are much better equipped to make the decisions that cannot be automated.

If you struggle with productivity, organization, or time management, try one of these surprising automation hacks. You'll be amazed at how much more you can get done.

1. Daily Uniform

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg admits to owning twenty identical gray, scoop-necked t-shirts so that he does not have to think about what to wear each morning. Similarly, Apple's Steve Jobs was famous for his uniform of black turtleneck and jeans. Adhering to these personal uniforms allowed these extremely influential men to focus their attention where it belongs — on their products.

Of course, it can be difficult to wear the same clothes every day without attracting attention. For instance, Zuckerberg has often come under fire for his t-shirt and hoodie style.

However, Saatchi & Saatchi Art Director Matilda Kahl recently wrote an essay for Harper's Bazaar explaining how she decided to adopt a chic personal uniform. While she has experienced some pushback (people have asked if she was part of a religious sect), she has found the uniform to be freeing, particularly when it comes to allowing her to express her creativity at work, where she really needs it.

2. Automated Meals

Wise Bread readers are certainly familiar with the benefits of meal planning and once-a-month cooking. But you can become even more automated in terms of meal prep if you take a page from my former coworker's book and create a schedule.

For my former colleague, that meant he ate exactly the same meal for breakfast and lunch each and every day. Not only did this mean his weight maintenance was easier, but it saved him time and money at the grocery store each week since he always bought the exact same breakfast and lunch foods.

Even if you are unwilling to eat the exact same food every day, you could plan four different weeks' meals and alternate the weeks. That way you'll know you need shopping list #1 during the first week of the month, list #2 the next week, and so on. Rather than spending time creating a list each week, that work is already done for you.

3. Toilet Paper Subscription

Do you ever have to make an emergency run to Target for toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant, dishwasher detergent, dog food, or dryer sheets? These are the regular use items that it's easy to run out of before you remember to buy more. That's why it's a great idea to subscribe for delivery of household items.

Amazon's Subscribe & Save program allows you to schedule such regular deliveries. Amazon offers you 5% off anything you buy through Subscribe & Save, and a 15% discount if you put at least five items on subscription — and shipping fees are waived. You are e-mailed a reminder about the shipment a few days before it ships, with an option to cancel, and you are not charged for the items until they ship.

Signing up for a subscription means you will no longer make emergency runs to the store or ponder whether you need more paper towels every time you go grocery shopping (hint: whether you decide you've got enough Brawny at home or that you need more, you'll definitely be wrong).

4. Checklists for Daily Life

No matter how many times a pilot has flown a particular airplane, he or she still refers to a checklist in order to make sure each necessary step is taken in the proper order. Atul Gawande of The New Yorker describes the original implementation of the checklist for takeoff this way: "[It] was too complicated to be left to the memory of any pilot, however expert."

Critical-care specialist Peter Provonost has proven that implementing checklists in hospitals can save lives and reduce medical care costs. In both the flight and medical worlds, checklists prevent expert practitioners from overlooking or skipping a basic step, which is very easy to do when you are focused on something bigger, like taking off in bad weather, or a patient having a seizure.

Though skipping basic steps in your daily life likely does not result in life-or-death consequences, you can still streamline and automate your life by using checklists.

According to Brett McKay of The Art of Manliness, the best way to implement checklists in your life is to look for the essential items that you regularly overlook and create checklists around them:

You don't need a checklist that lists every single step on how to complete a task. That renders a checklist useless. Instead, just focus on putting down the 'stupid' but essential stuff that you frequently miss. Your checklist should have no more than nine items on it. The shorter the better.

For instance, if you have trouble remembering to take your medication each day, you could create a morning checklist listing the name of each medication and post it on your bathroom mirror. There's no need to remind yourself to shower beforehand or brush your teeth afterward. Presumably, those activities are already automatic.

Think Less to Be Smarter

It's so easy to get bogged down in the small daily decisions that must be made to maintain your life. There are many days when your brain becomes a hamster wheel of little choices that don't really matter to you. But automating those little decisions can help you to stay focused on the goals you really care about.

What parts of your life have you automated?

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 7 Most Calorie-Burning Breakfasts

Laurel Randolph — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 17:00:07 +0000

Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but did you know that it can help you lose weight, too? Eating a morning meal jump-starts your metabolism, and leads to better eating throughout the day. Making smart breakfast choices can mean even better weight loss, since some foods burn more calories than others.

Try the following breakfasts for their weight-loss properties and start your day right. (And don't forget that cup of metabolism-boosting green tea!)

1. Oatmeal With Cinnamon and Walnuts

High-fiber foods like oatmeal have been shown in studies to help people lose weight. Whole grains help you stay full for longer, leading you to eat less. They help eliminate waste in your body, and they are harder to break down, so your body burns more calories to process them. Steel-cut and rolled oats are best since they contain more fiber than quick-cooking oats. Add cinnamon to your oatmeal for an extra bonus: Cinnamon is lightly sweet, so it adds sweetness without adding calories. It is also believed to aid in metabolizing blood sugar. And nuts add protein and healthy fat for a well-rounded meal.

2. Tofu Fruit Smoothie

Tofu is perfect for a healthy or weight loss diets since it is a complete, lean protein. A half cup serving of regular tofu provides about 10 grams of protein and is low in calories. Protein keeps you full for longer, keeping hunger (and junk food cravings) at bay. Silken tofu can be surprisingly good for breakfast — just cube it up and throw it in a blender with some frozen fruit, soy milk, and juice, and you have a filling and tasty smoothie. Add in yogurt, chia seeds, or flax for an extra boost.

3. Low-Fat Yogurt With Berries

The calcium, protein, and vitamin D in low-fat dairy products can help you lose weight by working in your body to persuade calories to deposit into muscle rather than fat. The calcium found in dairy also helps decrease the level of a vitamin that encourages the growth of fat cells. That's why a bowl of low-fat plain yogurt with berries is a great way to start the day. Plus, the yogurt provides protein and the berries are full of fiber.

4. Almond Butter on Whole Wheat Toast With Banana

For a breakfast that won't let you down before lunchtime, toast some whole wheat bread, slather it with a tablespoon of almond butter, and top with sliced banana. The whole grains in the bread will burn extra calories while you digest, the almond butter provides protein and healthy fat to keep you satisfied, and the banana contains resistant starch. Resistant starch is being studied for its effects on blood sugar, body fat storage, and more, and researchers think it could be useful for weight loss.

5. Omelet With Avocado, Tomato, and Chili

Eggs are an excellent source of protein, which boosts your metabolism. They also contain vitamin B12, which helps to break down and burn fat within the body. Avocado is full of healthy fat that's proven to keep you full for longer, along with boosting your post-meal metabolism. Tomatoes are low-calorie and high-fiber, and chilis contain the red-hot chemical capsaicin. It's what gives hot peppers their bite, and it may help increase energy expenditure after eating, leading to more calories burned. An omelet wraps up all of these calorie-burning ingredients into one healthy and delicious dish.

6. Grapefruit With Whole Grain Cereal and Low Fat Milk

Grapefruits are being studied for their weight loss properties, and may help you burn more calories. One study showed that participants that ate half of a grapefruit before every meal lost 3.6 pounds more than the participants that didn't eat grapefruit. You may not want to eat grapefruit all day, but starting with a half topped with a drizzle of honey will start you on the right foot. Pair it with a cup of low-sugar, whole grain cereal (look for six grams of sugar or less) for a healthy dose of fiber that'll burn calories while you digest. Topped with high-protein low fat milk, you'll have a complete meal to start the day.

7. Whole Wheat Apple Muffin With Ginger

If you love breakfast pastries like muffins (who doesn't?), bake a batch that will keep you burning calories and fat after you've gobbled it up. Whole wheat takes extra effort for the body to digest, so you'll burn more calories. Add apple for more fiber and nutrients and natural sweetness. Fresh ginger has been shown to help regulate blood sugar and provide energy while adding lots of flavor to your muffins. Whole wheat muffins packed with good stuff are a delicious way to eat a serving of whole grains, and are easy to take on the go.

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What's your delicious, healthful breakfast of choice?

This article is from Laurel Randolph of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Wise Bread Reloaded: Dinner Time Is Hard, Says Science — Wise Bread Makes It Easy

Lars Peterson — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 11:00:08 +0000

A trio of sociologists from North Carolina State University studied the eating habits of 200 low and middle income families and discovered what Wise Bread's short-on-time-and-energy readers already know: dinner time is hard.

While most moms in the study expressed a desire to prepare wholesome, good tasting meals from high quality ingredients for their families, the reality was that they often could not, for a variety of reasons.

Moms in both income groups reported time as a big obstacle — delicious wholesome meals require a lot of it of prepare.

Both groups also reported that creating meals that satisfied everyone in the family was also a challenge. Finding meals that made everyone happy limited the range of options.

Money was a factor, too, but obviously more critical for poorer families. Higher quality ingredients are out of reach, of course. In addition, poorer families often cannot afford basic kitchen utensils or appliances required to make some recipes. And for those without reliable transportation, trips to the store must be carefully planned and are also infrequent, which takes fresh foods off the grocery list. For middle class families, money sometimes prevented moms from using the highest quality ingredients such as organics.

Of course, none of this is surprising. Meal times are challenging for most families, from whatever income group. Wise Bread writers have been discussing ways to make dinner time easier for years. Here's a selection of some of their best labor- and money-saving tips.

Use a Crockpot or Slow Cooker

Busy moms everywhere rely on the crockpot or slow cooker to get hot meals on the time in no time (by taking a long time to do it, which is weird if you think about it). Julie Rains offers 25 Great Cheap and Easy Crockpot Recipes.

No Crockpot? No Problem — Just Use One Pot

Making it all in a single pot cuts down on clean up time too. Marla Walters shares 25 Delicious and Easy One Pot Meals, which includes breakfast, too!

Limit the Number of Ingredients

Save time on shopping and prep and save money with a short grocery list by limiting the number of ingredients in your creations. Ashley Marcin's 25 Easy 5-Ingredient Recipes That Save Time and Money was a big hit with readers, and in this Wise Bread editor's kitchen.

Embrace Your Inner Lazybones

Lazy people just can't be bothered and maybe that's not so great, but the rest of us can profit from the shortcuts they come up with — especially if they are delicious, like these. Paul Michael collects and shares 25 Healthy Recipes for Lazy People.

Embrace Your Inner Workaholic

At the other end of the spectrum are the bulk or assembly cookers who set aside a weekend to get through a week — or even a month's — worth of shopping and cooking in a whirlwind of activity. Ashley Marcin walks you through how to Save Time and Money With a Monthly Assembly (or Bulk) Cooking Weekend.

Embrace Your Inner Goldilocks

Not up for prepping 30 days worth of breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Aim your sights a little lower and freeze ahead five days worth of dinner, instead. Linsey Knerl shows you how in The Five-Day Freeze: Batch Cooking for the Rest of Us.

Make a Difficult Entree Easy

Finally, broaden your family's collective palate with something surprising, and fancy, and often too difficult to make by making it the easy way. Marla Walters brings us 10 Difficult But Delicious Recipes Made Easy.

How do you make dinner time manageable? Please share in comments!

This article is from Lars Peterson of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

20 Ways to Get Dinner on the Table Faster

Julie Rains — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:36:55 +0000

One of my proudest moments as a mom took place in the drive-through lane of a fast-food restaurant. A series of unusual events while traveling led my family to such a place. What made me feel accomplished was not where we stood (or sat, in this situation) but the confusion and dismay of my oldest son. He questioned the sanity of receiving food in a bag from a window and then consuming the food while driving or riding in a car. I was thrilled that he thought this set-up was unusual.

Like many parents, I have made eating dinner together a priority. But family dinnertime amidst full schedules often requires that dinner get on the table in a certain time frame. If you are a mom or dad who cooks regularly, then you are likely familiar with the challenge of preparing healthy, hearty, and homecooked dinners that kids and adults enjoy (or at least consume). Toss in the requirement that meals should be easy to get on the table quickly and this feat, repeated nightly, may seem herculean.

While I won't boast that I have achieved perfection in fixing great meals quickly, I can say that I have learned some strategies and tactics that help get dinner on the table, faster. Here are tricks and techniques that have worked for me. (See also: 7 Time-Saving Kitchen Tips From an Insider)

1. Plan Ahead

To move as quickly as possible during the week, I plan meals on the weekends. But I don't just figure out what meals to serve. I scrutinize the family's schedule and then match dinner menus to specific evenings based on food preparation and cooking times.

Tonight, for example, my youngest son doesn't get finished with band practice until 8:30 p.m., my husband will arrive home at 5:30 p.m. or 6 p.m., and I have a meeting at 7 p.m. We should all be around to sit at the dinner table, even though dining schedules may not sync. A great option here is a meal that is relatively fast to make and heats up well. On other days, if I know I will have extra time in the morning but not much in the evening, then I may do some prep work before the start of the day or opt for a one-dish slow-cooker meal.

By figuring out meals ahead of time, I can make a grocery list, restock on basics, and get items that are needed for recipes.

2. Substitute Ingredients

Substituting ingredients quickens the dinner-making pace. Use what you have on hand rather than buying, storing, measuring, and mixing every single ingredient called for in a recipe. This saves money but also prevents me from stopping dinner preparation to go to the store to find the item, ask my husband to pick up an item, or find another recipe.

For example, I may use cream cheese for cream soup or sour cream; sea salt and pepper for herbs; crushed tomatoes for spaghetti sauce or fresh tomatoes; water, wine, or bouillon for chicken broth; walnuts for pecans or almonds; breadcrumbs for nearly any casserole topping or breading; cereal for oatmeal.

Occasionally, I leave out ingredients if they are not commonly available. If you can safely omit certain items (that is, the dish still tastes good and the texture is intact), you can get dinner on the table faster without much compromise.

3. Develop a Repertoire of Quick Dinner Fixes

When I took a cooking class at the community college, I learned from my instructor (a professional home economist) that most people have a repertoire of about 5-10 dinner menus. They cycle through these so that favorites or standbys are served every couple of weeks. Periodically, cooks will try a new dish and add that to their rotation. Since learning about this common habit, I stopped feeling bad about serving the same thing over and over. However, I try to introduce new items in order to avoid family burnout on favorite foods.

Within my repertoire, I like to have dishes that are quick to fix. What surprises me about the easy-to-prepare meals is that my family often likes those just as much or more than dishes that are time-consuming and expensive.

So, to get dinner ready faster on a consistent basis, develop a list of meals that are quick and easy to make. Take, for example, this simple chicken dish — place boneless chicken breasts in a greased baking dish (I use cooking spray); pour a jar of salsa over the chicken; top with extra sharp cheddar or your favorite cheese; cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees; remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is melted and the chicken is done.

4. Get More People Involved

Delegate duties to get dinner on the table faster. Hand off time-consuming tasks like chopping vegetables or shredding cooked chicken. Or hand a recipe to someone else and let that person prepare the entire dish.

5. Grill Out

A great way to get more people involved without too many cooks in the kitchen is to grill outside. One person grills the entrée while the other fixes side dishes.

For a simple recipe, marinate boneless chicken breasts in Italian dressing and cook on the grill about 10 to 15 minutes until done. To add veggies, make kabobs. Cut chicken and vegetables (such as green peppers and onions) into large chunks, place on skewers, brush with marinade, and place over the grill.

6. Fix a Cool Entrée

Raiding the refrigerator for dinner doesn't have to be a last-ditch effort of desperation. You can plan and fix a gourmet entrée (like a roast turkey or elegant chicken salad) that is perfect for light summer meals, a group get-together, evenings when family members eat in shifts, or nights that you are busy. Add some quick side dishes, and you can have a hearty meal in minutes.

7. Serve Cool Veggies

Make side dishes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator, just like the cool entrées.

A couple of my favorites in this category include red potato salad and coleslaw. The key to making great potato salad is cooking the potatoes enough but not too much. To increase the nutritional value, add more vegetables like chopped celery or bell pepper.

For coleslaw, use a packaged mix or toss chunks of raw cabbage (and other vegetables that you'd like to add such as purple onions, carrots, or green peppers) in the food processor to shred or chop.

8. Serve Fruit as a Side Dish

You may have the main dish covered. But getting side dishes on the table for a well-balanced meal can be tricky. So, add fruit to your evening rotation of easy and fast side dishes.

Chill and serve canned fruit or jarred fruit packed in natural juices or light syrup, such as mandarin oranges or a tropical mix of mangoes and pineapples. Try fresh cored pineapple, chopped and stored in the refrigerator until it's time to eat. An even simpler-to-make side dish is a bowl of grapes, rinsed and ready to eat.

9. Prepare a Pasta Dish

Prepare noodles in about 20-30 minutes while you are preparing a sauce or topping. You can sauté zucchini and mushrooms in olive oil and serve over pasta with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Or make a traditional meat sauce with ground beef and jarred pasta sauce that you've snagged in a BOGO or Buy Two, Get Three Free promotion.

To speed things up, clean and chop the vegetables the evening before your pasta dinner. If dinner involves a traditional sauce, make multiple batches or at least a double batch so that you can serve half for dinner fresh now and freeze the other half for a subsequent, ultra-easy meal later.

If you happen to be preparing dinner about the time that you need to pick up your kids from an extracurricular activity, leave the pasta to cook on its own: bring the pasta to boiling, stir to break up the noodles, place a lid over the pot, and turn the burner off; the pasta should cook in about 30 minutes.

10. Make Tortilla Meals

A quick, healthy, and cheap meal is anything made with tortillas. Get the ingredients together and let your family assemble them according to each person's preferences. Heat tortillas and toss in two or more of these ingredients: black beans (rinsed and heated); chopped tomatoes; shredded cheese; cooked chicken or beef; guacamole; or sauteed vegetables such as green peppers, red peppers, and onions.

Prepare as much as you can the night before, or buy ready-made shredded cheese during store sales. Serve some items on the side (black beans, for example) if you'd like.

11. Have Breakfast for Dinner

An omelet or a frittata mixed with vegetables and cheese, served with a fruit side dish and bread, is a great meal. You and your family may want to avoid dishes that may be better suited for leisurely breakfasts and brunches. But in a pinch, eggs or even pancakes with fruit are fast meals that can help you out in a jam.

12. Toss a Dinner Salad

Salad can be an entire meal or a side dish. Make a dinner of Cobb salad or chef's salad for a no-cook meal.

Put together ingredients that blend well and help finish off leftovers. For example, toss lettuce with leftover fruit from side dishes, feta cheese, toasted almonds or walnuts, boiled eggs, and chickpeas. If the salad is a side dish, then serve with homemade soup and bread.

13. Simmer Main Dishes or Entire Meals in a Crock Pot

Prepare crock pot meals that will be ready when you finish a busy day at work or home. Try chicken with black beans and cream cheese or check out great, cheap, and easy crock pot recipes like pot roast with vegetables or coq au vin.

14. Roast Your Dinner

Roasting meats and vegetables (or veggies only) is a fast and easy way to make a delicious, healthy dinner.

One of my favorite dishes is roast chicken (using boneless chicken breasts) with red potatoes and asparagus. Cut all ingredients into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle with rosemary or garlic (or just salt and pepper), toss with olive oil and lemon, and cook in a 400-degree oven. Stir occasionally until done, which should take about 30-45 minutes. For variations, substitute your favorite vegetables like zucchini, red peppers, or mushrooms for asparagus.

15. Use Potato Baking Nails

My parents always used baking nails to speed up the potato-baking process when I was a kid. I still use them to get the oven flavor and texture, which seems to differ from the microwave taste. To use, insert nails in the center of the potato and cook; this technique shaves at least 30 minutes off the usual cook times.

16. Slice Thin

To speed up the cooking of a dish, I slice ingredients to make them thinner. For example, I often slice a chicken breast in half, even if the recipe doesn't call for this action. I do the same with slower-cooking vegetables like potatoes and carrots. This technique can be helpful for nearly any recipe.

17. Repurpose Leftovers

Eating leftovers sounds boring, but having them available can be a godsend. Develop a menu of dishes that reheat well, not just for lunch but also for dinner. A pot roast or turkey, for example, could serve as a main dish a couple of times each week and is great for those weeks with many afterschool or evening activities. Broccoli-rice casserole and mashed potatoes also reheat well.

Leftovers can also be used in completely new dishes; for example, I may make a chicken casserole from leftover roasted chicken, rather than just serving the same meal twice. For ideas on repurposing main dishes or sides, see these articles on fancy ways to use leftovers and rotisserie chicken.

18. Use a Pressure Cooker or Other Fast-Cooking Device

A pressure cooker can help cook meals faster. A convection oven (as well as microwave and toaster ovens) can also reduce cooking times. There may be a learning curve with these appliances, so some of your recipes may take a tad longer at first but will eventually save time.

19. Batch Cook

Many people find fast-dinner-prep nirvana in batch cooking-freezing-thawing-reheating or similar assembly methods. My attempts in this area have fallen short, though I do freeze and use spaghetti sauce regularly. A friend makes batches of hot chicken salad (I omit the peppers, use unsalted almonds, and substitute cheddar for Swiss cheese and breadcrumbs for potato chips), and I have found this casserole to be wonderful when reheated.

20. Keep Basics on Hand

If you always have a few basics on hand, then you can easily put together a meal. But defining basics or staples can be tricky as they vary from person to person, family to family. For me, the basics include:

Frozen fruits and vegetables (blueberries, broccoli, green beans, mixed vegetables)
Frozen meats (chicken, ground beef)
Nuts (peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans)
Dairy (cheddar, feta, mozzarella; milk; sour cream; eggs; yogurt)
Canned or jarred goods (salsa, pasta sauce, beans, fruit)
Fresh fruits and vegetables (apples, bananas, lettuce, carrots, celery)
Baking and cooking items (oil, butter, flour, sugar, salt, pepper, spices like chili powder and cinnamon, white wine)
Grains (whole wheat bread, tortillas, pasta, brown rice)

Nearly all of these items can be stored for several weeks with the exceptions of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and bread. There are many items that I freeze to keep longer; for example, I keep cloves of garlic in the freezer as well as peeled bananas and homemade breadcrumbs.

The suggestions that I make for preparing meals typically involve these items and maybe one or two extra ingredients.

Cooking should be a leisurely activity, except that it isn't when you have a full schedule. Use these techniques and dinner at your house will be faster than fast food or pizza delivery.

How do you get dinner ready faster?

This article is from Julie Rains of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: