Low Price Cooking

jgohlke asked:

One of Louisiana’s solutions to the giant rat problem.

Inexpensive Cooking

Carole S. Guinane asked:


More and more, Americans are avoiding the kitchen and relying on the convenient yet fattening fare offered at fast food restaurants and other national chains. While most people are aware that cooking at home is an effective way to save money, many of us ignore the fact that preparing our own meals can be beneficial to our health, as well. When taking steps to prepare meals in the healthiest possible way, you can not only develop a healthy relationship with food, but also probably have a little fun in the process. Most importantly for patients of weight-loss surgery, learning to prepare healthy meals is one of the biggest steps towards meeting long-term weight loss goals and maintaining healthy eating habits. The following tips represent just a sample of the many ways you can make the meals you prepare as healthy as possible.

Remove the Skin and Fat

Whenever you prepare chicken or any other type of meat, you should remove the skin and fat before cooking. Not only will you leave yourself the best-tasting portions, you will be able to avoid plenty of unwanted calories and unhealthy fat.

Cut the Oil in Half

If you prepare your meals from cookbooks or family recipes, add only half the amount of oil listed - or less - to all of your dishes. Though many cooking oils - such as olive, safflower, sesame and canola - contain unsaturated fats that can help lower cholesterol levels, these additives can also pack plenty of calories that can jeopardize your weight loss goals. If you consume these oils in moderation, you will be able to obtain the healthy benefits, retain the taste of your meals and stick to your weight loss goals.

Coat Your Pans with Cooking Spray or Chicken Broth

One of the easiest ways to avoid excess consumption of such cooking oils is to use cooking sprays and chicken broth instead. When sautéing meat or vegetables on the stovetop, coat your pans with a fat-free cooking spray or healthy chicken broth instead of traditional oils. Once you perfect the simple art of healthy sautéing, you will be able to enjoy meals that are not only healthier, but more delicious.

Pour in Skim Milk Instead of Cream

Much like the suggestion to substitute cooking sprays for oils, using skim milk - especially the evaporated variety for weight loss-surgery patients - instead of whole cream can help you trim fat and calories from your meals. People may also be surprised to hear that buttermilk is also naturally low in fat and is available in low fat and non-fat versions in some markets. When shopping for dairy products, you should also stock up on low-fat yogurt to use in lieu of sour cream or mayonnaise and low-fat cheese instead of the standard variety. Thick, creamy fat free or low fat Greek Yogurt serves as a delicious replacement as well.

Use Applesauce in Your Baked Goods

For all of your baked goods recipes, substitute applesauce for any type of cooking oil. However, you should definitely try to limit your consumption of baked goods, especially pastries that incorporate large amounts of sugar.

Cook with Fresh Spices

Rather than dousing your meals with unhealthy amounts of salt, you should also try to learn the art of cooking with fresh spices. Not only will spices add an incredible amount of flavor to your meals, you can season your food without worrying about the potentially dangerous effects of salt. However, be careful of packaged seasoning mixes as many contain excessive amounts of salt, destroying the benefit of using different spices.

Find Healthy Ways to Prepare Your Meals

Even if you follow all of the previous tips, using the wrong cooking methods can ruin the healthy benefits of your meals. As a result, you should avoid such cooking methods as frying. Instead, try steaming your vegetables and cooking your meats on a grill or in the oven. Your microwave also represents a healthy solution, as most foods can be cooked thoroughly without the use of oils or fatty cooking additives.

As you perfect the methods of healthy cooking, you should also try to enjoy the entire process of cooking - from the simple activities to the aromas. You may even want to purchase new pots, pans, utensils or cooking appliances to help you make the most of your healthy meals. Eating should be a relaxing experience and allowing yourself to enjoy cooking will help you develop a healthy lifelong relationship with food. Many people find success by making it a family activity to teach their children how to shop, cook and eat healthy.



Frugal Cooking

Rachie asked:


Is it possible to cook pumpkin for pumpkin pie with out cutting it in half and cooking it with the skin? Because intead of destroying the pumpkin I want to make a Jack-O-Lantern, make it into a pumkin pie, then make pumpkin seeds with the seeds.
Is it possible to cook pumpkin for pumpkin pie with out cutting it in half and cooking it with the skin? Because intead of destroying the pumpkin I want to make a Jack-O-Lantern, make it into a pumkin pie, then make pumpkin seeds with the seeds. Even if it is hard to cook the pumkin without cutting it in half is it still possible?

Cooking Recipes

James Woo asked:


Note: For all cooking methods listed below, you can use a spice blend or rub from In a Pinch Fine Spices , or from your favorite source.

BAKING

Description: Baking with spice blends and rubs is the healthiest method of preparation as it can be done without adding any oil or fats. Baking is a technique of cooking food by dry heat over a specific period of time, usually in an oven. The dry heat of baking causes its outer surfaces to brown, giving it an attractive appearance and partially sealing in the food’s moisture. To create a moister piece of food, bake at a lower temperature for a slightly longer period of time.

Instructions: Simply coat your favorite spice blend or rub onto your meat or seafood and set in refrigerator for 2 hours. Remove the seasoned food from refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for several minutes before proceeding with your desired cooking method.Cover the inside of a baking pan or sheet with aluminum foil. Then, place wire rack on top of your baking pan or sheet. This will allow any drippings to collect onto the foil below, allowing for easier clean up. Place the prepared meat or seafood on top of the rack, and bake in a pre-heated oven (see recipes for specified cooking times). What could be easier?

Notes: Let meat cool 5-7 minutes before cutting to retain moisture. During the cooking process, heat drives meat’s juices from the surface as it cooks and the juices gather in the center and the center becomes saturated. Letting meats "rest" before slicing allows these juices to slowly seep back towards the surface, resulting in a more consistently moist and flavorful piece of meat.

BROILING



Description: Broiling is a method that is used to quickly cook meats, poultry, and fish.

Instructions: Simply coat your favorite spice blend or rub onto your meat or seafood and set in refrigerator for 2 hours. Remove the seasoned food from refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for several minutes before proceeding with your desired cooking method. To operate the broiler feature of your oven, turn the knob counter-clockwise to the “Broil” position. There will be various levels that you can set your broiler pan on and cooking times will vary, depending on the thickness of the food item, fat content, and personal preference for doneness.

Notes: The broiler compartment is usually a sliding unit located beneath your oven. The door will fold down so that you can easily access to the broiling pan to turn the food over.

GRILLING

Description: Grilling is an outdoor cooking method that is based on direct or indirect dry heat. Instructions: Simply coat your favorite spice blend or rub onto your meat or seafood and set in refrigerator for 2 hours. Remove the seasoned food from refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for several minutes before proceeding with your desired cooking method.In grilling, tender cuts of meat and thick cuts of fish are placed upon a metal wire rack or surface outdoors over heated charcoal briquettes or a gas heated grill.

To light a charcoal grill, arrange enough briquettes spread out onto your pan to exceed the cooking area by 2” all around. Stack the briquettes into a pyramid and coat them with lighter fluid. Wait several minutes to allow fluid to soak into briquettes, and then light with a long match or hand-held igniter (if using pre-soaked briquettes, just ignite after stacking). As the briquettes begin to burn and ash forms on all of the briquettes, arrange briquettes into a single layer using tongs, and set grilling grate over the briquettes. Allow briquettes to obtain a reddish glowing hue before placing food onto grill. This will inform you that the heat is at its optimal cooking temperature.

When using a gas grill, make sure to check all connections between propane tank and grill before turning on grill. For safety reasons, always turn the gas level to a lower setting and press the ignite button to ignite the coils before increasing your heat level. Make sure to replenish your propane tank at most hardware and supply superstores. Please review manufacturer’s instructions prior to operating and cleaning any gas or charcoal grill. Place food items onto grilling grate and cook for several minutes before turning. Avoid turning items frequently as this will slow down the cooking process. Move food away from center of briquettes to cook at a slower rate. Let meat cool 5-7 minutes before cutting to retain moisture. During the cooking process, heat drives meat’s juices from the surface as it cooks and the juices gather in the center and the center becomes saturated. Letting meats "rest" before slicing allows these juices to slowly seep back towards the surface, resulting in a more consistently moist and flavorful piece of meat.

Notes:The choice of using a charcoal or gas grill is entirely up the grillmaster. Whether he or she wants the convenience of a push-button flame courtesy of a gas grill, or the extra pride in properly setting and maintaining a bed of ashen coals, there’s a grill at various price ranges with assorted accessories for everyone.Damp mesquite or hickory wood chips may be added on top of the coals to allow a smoldering effect that provides additional flavor to the food. The high cooking temperatures break down amino acids within the meats, combining with natural sugars, and rise to the surface of the meat to provide the distinctive grilled / browned taste (also known as the Maillard reaction). Tougher cuts of meat should be reserved for slow cooked barbecuing instead of grilling. Occasionally a marinade will help to loosen the toughness of various cuts of meat.

PAN FRYING / SEARING

Description: Pan searing is a method of cooking food where the food is subjected to a high level of heat (450°-500°F) for a short period of time.

Instructions: Simply coat your favorite spice blend or rub onto your meat or seafood and set in refrigerator for 2 hours. Remove the seasoned food from refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for several minutes before proceeding with your desired cooking method.Using a heavy bottomed skillet or pan will help to distribute the high heat evenly for more consistent searing. Turn stove to medium high and place a small amount of olive oil in the pan. Increase the temperature to high, place food in pan (skin side down first if skin still on), and sear for 1-2 minutes. Flip over food and sear for another minute or until desired doneness. This cooking method may create a brownish-crust on the outside of your food, but it will help to seal in the juices of the meat or seafood item.

Notes: To pan sear, you can use a very hot, heavy bottomed skillet or pan (cast-iron is a good option) over a high flame, under a broiler, or in an oven with a high temperature (450°-500°F).



Budget Cook

everlastingfriends asked:

…

Budget Cooking Book

onesimplewish2000 asked:


I have too much to do and not enough time. Can I cook a turkey half way at home, then travel 2 hours and finish cooking it?

Cooking on a Budget

Inferno asked:


For example, if I was to cook chicken soup and pour nearly a cup of wine with it for taste, would it count as alcohol? If I was to be tested in the near future for alcohol, would I test positive? Would it be appropriate for children to drink this soup?

Keep in mind that this is not wine made especially for cooking. It’s like any other alcoholic beverage.

Also, other examples include rum cake or beer-battered fish. Do they produce the same effects as drinking the alcoholic it is cooked with straight from the bottle?

Thank you.

Budget Cook

AmazingLarry asked:


Does it taste as good as roasting it without one? I want the most delicious traditional Thanksgiving turkey possible. Cooking bag or no cooking bag? Your opinion please.

Budget Cooking Book

cmtoy asked:

Here’s a recipe for egg drop soup using ramen noodles.

Inexpensive Cooking

boris t asked:


Oriental cooking, Middle Eastern/South Asian cooking, Meditteranean, European, or hispanic cooking.
If you ask what I think. Oriental would have to be the hardest, since they have so many unique vegetables, and use lots of fermented flavorings.

Cooking on a Budget