Cheap Grocery Advice

[Shevek]

Where would you go to learn how to can fruits/vegetables?

I went to the old neighbours. I found out why houses used to have separate kitchens for summer, to keep the heat out of the house, and process large harvests.

 

[Mary Terry]

Where would you go to learn how to can fruits/vegetables?

I go to the Mississippi State University agricultural extension service website for canning instructions and recipes. I think the University of Minnesota has one, too.

Today, I've blanched about 3 quarts of fresh lima beans after washing and cleaning them to remove rocks and pieces of leaves, then put them in boiling water for 2 minutes, then immediately put them into ice water till they get cold. Then I laid them out on paper towels or lint-free kitchen towels to dry at room temp for as long as it takes to get most of the water off them which usually takes about an hour. Mine are at the drying off stage right now. Then I'll spread them out on parchment paper or wax paper-covered rimmed baking sheets and put the baking sheets in the freezer till they get frozen enough to scrape them into freezer bags. That prevents them from clumping together in a solid chunk of frozen peas. We'll use the vacuum sealer to make 2-cup bags, label them and put them in the freezer for long term storage. I hate single use plastic but the vacuum sealer really does a better job of preserving them because there's little freezer burn risk.

 

[Mary Terry]

I went to the old neighbours. I found out why houses used to have separate kitchens for summer, to keep the heat out of the house, and process large harvests.

Here in the Deep South with antebellum homes and old farmhouses, a separate kitchen was common both to keep heat out of the main house and to prevent the main house from burning down if the kitchen caught on fire. Everything used to be cooked in a fireplace or on a wood burning stove.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

Where would you go to learn how to can fruits/vegetables?

I was self taught using the book Putting Food By.

Putting Food By

Everything you need to know, clearly explained. I put by food for a family of 7 for 5 years using this book.

 

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

Thank you to all of you who replied to my question?

 

[Tom]

I have pretty bland diet and eat leftovers from what I cook for my Chihuahuas. My wife finds what I cook not really up to standards so cooks or buys her own meals. A typical meal is Chicken, rice and a veggie (most veggies are good for dogs). I often substitute Sweet Potato or Potato for the rice and on occasion beef or tuna for the chicken. Besides that I have Fruits daily which the dogs generally don't like. Fresh fruit is cheaper but I found often wasted as it does not keep so have gone to a lot of canned fruit and nothing is wasted. My wife buys plenty of treats, etc and if it is there I will share it, but would not buy it myself. I also like plainer cheese and it keeps longer. My big splurge is Pizza but it isn't really that expensive when you work out how many meals you get out of it. The dogs like it too.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

Right now, Safeway/Albertsons/Vons has petite sirloin steak on sale for only $4.99 a pound.

Delicious and good quality marbling, very tender.

 

[Loren]

My cousin shops at a market called Aldi. We have them here in California, and I think they exist elsewhere. She purchases 100%, grass-fed beef for unusually low prices. Not sure of the reason the prices are low, but I have heard others recommend this store for the lowerer prices, as well.

 

[FilterFreq]

Not sure of the reason the prices are low, but I have heard others recommend this store for the lowerer prices, as well.

I can confirm Aldi is pretty awesome. If I recall, they (at least at some locations like my local one) don't do shopping carts or bags, which keeps the prices down for everyone. So picking up an empty box on the endcaps can save you from having to hold everything in your hands at checkout!

 

[Rachie]

I think perhaps if you have an issue with cooking and perhaps live alone these sort of ready made meals looks quite nutritous and decent priced right now to me. They do it with and noodles and vegetarian and meat options. In the UK I know they are on offer with Nectar 7 for the week and spares like cerial and you might be alright.
To me the portions look very generous.
They seem to be a good flavour but not peppery and can warmed in 4 minutes in the microwave.
https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/wasabi-sushi-bento-vegetable-gyoza-yakisoba-450g

Wasabi Sushi & Bento | Ready Meals, Ramen, & Asian Favourites

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

US Chef Store/ aka Cash and Carry has 10 pounds of ground beef for around 40 dollars. It was cheaper, but prices went up. That's still a really good deal.

You can also get giant slabs of beef for around 4 dollars a pound, or giant slabs of pork for less than 2 dollars a pound. You have to cut it up yourself.

There's also giant bags of veggies, as it's a restaurant supplier. Tea, coffee, flour, etc is really really cheap here too.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

My favorite way to save money on food is to buy the family meal at Panda Express. It is big enough to serves six large plates of food.

You get three large entrees and two medium sides for between 30 to 40 bucks.

Each entree is like two to three pounds, and if you ask the server to overstuff them a little, they'll do it til the lids bulge. I like getting the orange chicken, mushroom chicken. and broccoli beef.

The side dishes are like one or so pounds of food each.

I'd recommend the stir fry veggies (especially) or the chow mein as the sides, because you can easily make rice at home for way cheaper. Remember to ask real nicely and they'll usually overstuff the boxes.

For the sheer volume of fresh cooked real meat and vegetables, and the fancy sauces they use, it's an amazing deal. Way cheaper than groceries. And if your household is small, the family meal can last a few meals.