Simple food hacks.

[homemade4me]

This is probably a silly question, but I was so proud of myself yesterday when I added the drained peach juice from the can, reserved from a recipe that just wanted peaches, and added it to my ice tea !

I would love to hear other simple ideas so I can say ...."Why didn't I think of that !"

Laurie

Simplify

 

[AnnieClaus]

Pickle juice to tuna or chicken salad.

Annie

 

[missjane]

Use a cheese grater to grate boiled eggs into a recipe that calls for boiled eggs, unless it needs to be chunky pieces.

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

I added a tin of crushed pineapple and the juice to a basic cake mix. It was delicious.

 

[Ahorsesoul]

Jalapeño juice to gravy for an extra kick. Friend adds dill pickle juice.

 

[Lori K]

I have a banana bread recipe, handed down through at least 3 generations, and it’s always a little on the dry side — I suspect from changes over the years to. the ingredients during commercial production. A friend suggested that I add a spoonful or two of sour cream. Worked like a charm!

 

[Minta]

Drinking dill pickle juice is also good for relieving cramps too.

I have 2 containers in the freezer. One is for any left pasta sauce, by the time the container is full it's enough for whole other dinner. I always have an opened jar of sauce in the frig, after a few days I dump the rest into the freezer container,
The other container is for veggies. Any left over veggies from dinner not being used the next day (lunches/leftovers) go into the freezer container. When it's full I use is for either a soup or casserole.

 

[homemade4me]

I added a tin of crushed pineapple and the juice to a basic cake mix. It was delicious.

So a small tin or or half of a larger tin? That does sound good...

 

[AnnieClaus]

Freeze bananas when they are past their prime.
Ready for banana bread- pull a few out, they defrost very quickly.

A little bit of juice or iced tea left- freeze in ice cube trays.
They won't water a drink down!

Annie

 

[Lori K]

Freeze bananas when they are past their prime.

Frozen over-ripe bananas are also good to throw in with your morning smoothie.

 

[Lori K]

If you have a recipe that calls for buttermilk and you don't have any in the refrig (I rarely do) and don't want to buy an entire carton for just one recipe, simply pour 1 c. of milk and add 1 Tbsp of lemon juice or white vinegar. Give it a quick stir and let it sit for 5 - 10 minutes. Once it thickens up a bit, you're ready to go. If I'm making multiple loaves of soda bread, I'll buy a carton. If I'm only making a single loaf for myself, or need some for chicken, I'll use this substitute recipe.

 

[Minta]

Freeze bananas when they are past their prime.
Ready for banana bread- pull a few out, they defrost very quickly.

A little bit of juice or iced tea left- freeze in ice cube trays.
They won't water a drink down!

Annie

I do that too with the bananas and I will freeze any left broth that didnt get used in a recipe in ice cube trays. Nice way to add a little extra flavor to a dish without having to open a whole new container of broth.

Make extra pancakes, flash freeze them and then store in a freezer bag in the freezer. Perfect for a quick breakfast during the school mornings for the kids.

 

[DahliaDoll]

What agreat thread!

If I steam a vegetable (carrots, green beans, beets, etc.) I save the "water" in a container in the freezer. I also save the liquid I pour off of canned vegetables, even olives. I use one freezer container and keep pouring the liquid on top until it's full. I use it for soups, etc. that call for vegetable broth or water.

On St. Patrick's Day we make corned beef in the slow cooker. I freeze the juices to use in ham and bean soup. It's the best!

 

[homemade4me]

I recently read that a 1/4 cup of applesauce can be used as a substitute for an egg in sweet desert recipes........I will have to try that.

Laurie
Simplify

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

So a small tin or or half of a larger tin? That does sound good...

I had a small tin in the pantry so used that.

 

[Lana]

If I have leftover pasta ---spaghetti or any type of noodle--- we will open a can of stew tomatoes and warm that up together. Or use a can of rotels. If I have leftover canned corn I will sometime add it in there also.

 

[missjane]

Leftover rice freezes well. Portion it into freezer bags. When you need it, pop it into the microwave in the bag for about 1 1/2 minutes. Fluff it around in the bag. Add 30 second to 1 minute intervals until it's heated through. It's as if it were just cooked.

 

[Myron's Mom]

I always save my ham bones and any trimmings off the ham. Vacuum seal them and toss in the freezer. I use them to season my baked beans.

 

[Minta]

I always save my ham bones and any trimmings off the ham. Vacuum seal them and toss in the freezer. I use them to season my baked beans.

I may have to try that. I usually save and use mine to make ham and bean soup or split pea soup.

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

I read that you save all the vegetable peelings, half onions etc and place in freezer. When full you can boil up and make a vegetable stock for soups etc. Might have to try this one.