Ready-to-use usually costlier
Dear Readers: If you are a busy, working mom or dad, it’s quick and easy to buy FRUITS AND VEGETABLES that are already washed, cut up and ready to use.
It does save time in the kitchen, but it costs more to buy produce, vegetables or shredded cheeses in these prepackaged servings.
If you are on a budget and are watching your money, these items can put a big dent in how much you spend on food. Pre-cut costs a lot more than produce you buy whole! You are paying for the labor, packaging required and transportation to stores while keeping it fresh. Is the cost worth the time you are saving by staying out of the kitchen? It may or may not be.
There are some examples where buying ready-to-use may be cheaper. For example: pomegranate juice. The juice is more costly to make yourself because of the number of pomegranates needed to get the same amount that you buy ready-to-drink. I’ve tried this, and it’s a process! With fresh pomegranates available only a few months of the year, the only way to buy the seeds or juice the rest of the year is prepackaged.
During your next shopping trip, comparison-shop, and check the price difference. — Heloise
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Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX 78279-5000
Fax: 210-HELOISE
Email: Heloise@Heloise.com
SPICE SUBSTITUTE
Dear Readers: If you enjoy some “heat” in your cooking, then you most likely have cayenne pepper in your spice rack or cabinet. But what if you run out? Here are some easy substitutes:
n Any bottled hot sauce.
n Red pepper flakes (you even can grind them before adding).
n Chili powder or dried chopped chilies.
n Crushed Thai pepper.
If you are cooking for others and they are not as crazy about spicy food, hot sauce is the best choice. They can add as much, or as little, as they want right before eating. — Heloise
SEPARATING EGGS
Dear Heloise: Is it better to separate eggs while they are cold or when they are room-temperature? — Cindy L., via email
Good question! Most food experts agree that a cold egg is easier to separate, because the yolk won’t “break” when cold. However, most recipes call for room-temperature eggs, so what do you do? Separate the eggs while cold and cover with plastic until they are room-temperature. — Heloise
SIMPLE SALSA
Dear Heloise: Ever needed some quick salsa? Here is my hint: Drain the liquid from a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Take a small electric drink mixer and run it up and down a few times in the can. Voilà! Instant salsa. Also, the mixer fits nicely in the can, so you don’t mess up another dish. — Roger S. in Texas
Love it! Perfect for chips and salsa at lunchtime in Heloise Central! — Heloise