POST-GROCERY SHOPPING –PREP WORK

The work week can be busy enough as it is. By preparing your produce you can save time.

Here are some hints for post-grocery prep work that saves me time.

1.     ALWAYS wash produce when you get home. You don’t know who has touched your produce.

2.     Wipe off your cans and boxes. During flu and cold season these containers spread germs.

3.     Buy meat in bulk for the week and break it down covering it with aluminum foil and place in freezer bags. Always label your freezer goods and add a date. Note: Buying in bulk when an item is on sale

4.     Never wash off mushrooms. You can take a damp cloth and brush off the dirt or purchase a small basting brush or small soft painting brush and get rid of the dirt. Wrap them in paper towels and seal in bag.
Note: Mushrooms absorb water. When you cook them they release water as do onions.

5.     If you make salads during the week chop up the vegetables you use like carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and such. This way you just grab a handful of produce to top your salads.

6.     Leftover bread is buttered or brushed with olive oil and garlic then chopped up and made into croutons or toasted for bread crumbs.

7.     In winter or summer if I have to heat up the oven I use it for multiple projects.
Note: croutons, broiling peppers, cookies, bread, muffins for the week. I try to make all my dressings and sauces on the weekend or the day I grocery shop.

8.     I buy my oatmeal, flour, sugar, rice, nuts, and snacks in bulk. Make sure you put the new product on the bottom.

9.     Wash lettuce, dry off leaves, and wrap in paper towels the put in zip lock bag.

10. If you use cabbage for stir fry’s, soups, and slaw or mostly chopped up, slice cabbage and soak in water with 1 teaspoon salt. Drain on towel and wrap in paper towel and again store in plastic zip lock.
NOTE: ALL ORGANIC PRODUCE WILL GO BAD FASTER. EAT WITHIN A WEEK.

 Save paper bags for shipping paper or use the same bags next time you shop