BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Cooking For Kids Time Saving Tips

Here's another one:

I have used two crock pots at once. One is for dinner, and the other is for the freezer. I just place the 2nd dinner in a freezer container, and into the freezer it goes. I usually do this when there are buy one get one free sales at the store.

These tips are great--thank you everyone!

Keep them coming...

Wow! These are some amazing tips.

Here are some Thanksgiving Day time saving tips:

To save time on Thanksgiving Day, make a list now of items that can be prepped or cooked ahead of time. The next time you're at the store, purchase all of the items needed for the make ahead items. On Thanksgiving, all you'll have to think about is putting the turkey in the oven, and warming up your other side items.

You can take advantage of your slow cooker to re-heat your side items. Put it on low if you are eating later in the day, and on high if you are having a Thanksgiving lunch.

Also, if you�re going to be freezing any leftovers, make sure you have freezer bags or containers on hand so you won�t have to worry about it later.

Here's another tip that I've started using:

If you're cooking a meal that has lots of ingredients, place all of the non perishable ingredients in a bowl on your kitchen counter the night before. Go ahead and place whatever pots and pans you need on the stovetop. When you�re ready to cook, all you have to do is pull out the rest of the ingredients from the fridge.

It sounds overly simple, but it does save a little time and sanity at the end of a long day.

Hi everyone!

This time saving tip is to remind you that daylight savings time takes place this weekend!

Does anyone have any "forgot to set the clock for daylight savings time" stories?

Brandii, I am soooooo glad you reminded me of this! I had completely forgotten.

Jordan's cheer team is performing this Sunday for the Harlem Globetrotter's halftime event (ok I;m bragging a little) - but I could see me showing uo an hour late because I forgot to set my clock ahead!!!

Michelle,

Are you serious? The Harlem Globtrotters halftime event?

WOW!!!

Way to go Jordan!! Hey, we need a "cheerleading smiley"...

Don't forget your camera!

i know, I am so excited.

The really funny part is, none of the girls had any idea who the Harlem Globetrotters are! All of us adults are like "Are you kidding us?!?"

but when I saw your message on the daylight savings I was going "Oh geez!" - I emailed the whole team! Because I had completely forgotten that it was this weekend, and I figured someone else would, too - and then we would all show up late for the game!

Nice tips over there. I don't actually go for time saving tips as I do my kitchen work fast....

I remember those amazing Harlem Globetrotters! I'm so glad they're still performing!

As for the time-saving tips:

*Make grilled sandwiches all at once by spreading the outer slices with butter and place all the sandwiches on a cookie sheet and bake until toasted. This way, you don't have to make grilled sandwiches one by one in a skillet or griddle.

*Stock your pantry and refrigerator with quick cooking staples. I always have canned beans of every type for burritos, tostadas, rice and beans, hummus, etc.

*Microwave potatoes for quick baked potatoes to stuff with all sorts of fillings from canned chili to steamed broccoli and cheese.

*Microwave rice in a glass bowl. Measure 1 cup of long grain rice with 2 cups of water. DO NOT COVER. Microwave on high for 16 minutes and let stand for 5 minutes. While it is cooking, you can heat up some red beans (Louisiana recipe) or stir fry some meat and veggies with teriyaki sauce. Don't buy bottled. Just use 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder (or fresh) 1/2 tsp. powdered ginger (or fresh). That's it. If you want it thick, you can thicken with 1 tsp. cornstarch blended with 2 tsp. water and stir over med heat until thickened.

*Quickest soup: Chinese Egg Drop Soup. Bring chicken stock (canned, instant) to a boil. Add whatever you like into the soup (sliced vegetables, seafood, meat, tofu, green onions). You can add a bit of fresh ginger and garlic, if you like. Simmer until vegetables are cooked. The thinner the slices, the quicker they will cook. Sometimes, I only add frozen peas and sliced carrots and celery, if that's all I have on hand. Other times, I'll add straw mushrooms and water chestnuts.

Scramble an egg or two. Stir in the scrambled egg and continue to whisk. The soup will thicken. Add a small touch of soy sauce.