Serving convenience foods to your family is, well, convenient. With kids returning to school and starting all those hectic after-school activities again, having a few ready-to-go meals stashed in your cupboards is a definite must have. Unfortunately, those boxed meals really can ruin your family's budget and rob you of your hard-earned cash.
How can you afford to have your meals conveniently prepared on a tight budget? By creating an inexpensive alternative to those store-bought pre-packaged foods. Stocking your pantry with your own homemade variety of these foods will save you an enormous amount of money and give you the opportunity to choose healthier ingredients to serve your family.
It's amazing just how many boxed foods you can make at home in your own kitchen. Rather than roaming through your grocery store's aisles grabbing overpriced cardboard boxes of quick meal solutions, create a couple counterparts easily in your very own kitchen and save an unbelievable amount of money while maintaining the convenience factor.
Several popular boxed meals are easily duplicated for a fraction of the cost of buying the store-bought ones. Here are just a few examples of how you can make some classic dishes that I'm sure you'll recognize.
Red Beans and Rice Mix: This is a classic meal that is very versatile. By mixing just a few dry ingredients together in an airtight container, you create a ready-to-use version of the boxed meal that is so popular. This traditional Cajun dish is perfect to expand upon with the addition of sausage, seafood, chicken, meat, vegetables, or whatever you want.
Suggested mix ingredients: 1 cup long grain brown rice, 1 tablespoon dry onion flakes, 1 tablespoon dry celery or celery seed, 1 tablespoon dry green pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 vegetable or chicken flavored bouillon cubes, 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, 1/4 cup bacon bits. Of course, this is a suggested dry mix recipe. You'll want to experiment with your own ideas. Cook according to the rice instructions, then add your beans, sauteed vegetables, or whatever other ingredients you choose.
Rice & Roni Mix: This is another classic take on a favorite boxed meal. You can, of course, make this as it is, but adding diced chicken, meat, and vegetables is an option. Use this mix as the jumping-off-point for lots of good one-dish skillet meals.
Suggested mix ingredients: 3/4 cup long grain brown or white rice, 1/4 cup broken vermicelli or spaghetti, 1 tablespoon dry onion, 1/4 teaspoon dry garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of a combination of dry thyme and dry sage OR 1/4 teaspoon dry poultry seasoning, 1 tablespoon dry parsley, 3 chicken flavored bouillon cubes. The basic recipe for this dry mix can be tweaked to suit your particular taste. Create your own special dish by experimenting with the seasonings and adding your own fresh ingredients when you make the dish.
Creamy Parmesan Rice Mix: Want a kid-friendly dish? This rice dish is nice and creamy and cheesy, making it perfect for kids. Because you use powdered milk, you can include it in the ready-to-use mix, rather than using fresh milk when the dish is prepared. You will really appreciate having this mix waiting for you in the pantry when your hungry little ones' are patiently waiting for dinner.
Suggested mix ingredients: 1 cup long grain brown rice or white rice, 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon, 2 tablespoons dry milk powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 cup grated dry Parmesan cheese (in canister) not freshly grated. Prepare this dish as is or add other ingredients, such as diced cooked chicken or mixed frozen vegetables, to create a full meal.
The cooking instructions for these mixes will depend on the amount of rice in the mix. The ingredients you use in the dry mix will depend on your own personal tastes. When it comes time to cook the meal, follow the rice cooking instructions from the box of rice you used, then add any other ingredients you wish, being sure the ingredients have been properly prepared and cooked if necessary.
When you get comfortable creating your own ready-to-make dinners at home, you'll quickly find new ways to make all your family's favorite "boxed" meals at home! Homemade pre-packaged foods are the perfect opportunity to experiment with all sorts of new and creative dishes. Add seafood, spices, herbs, vegetables, or anything you want to create a dish that becomes your own specialty.
Just a few of these basic go-to mixes in your pantry is all you need to quickly stir up a delicious and nutritious meal for your family. We all know that pre-packaged meals help make it possible for a busy household to get dinner together and on the table quickly and easily. But, unlike those store-bought boxes, these mixes are inexpensive and have your own special ingredient... love! Mix up a few of these ready-to-go mealtime shortcuts for your own busy family, and save yourself valuable time and money. - 30289
How can you afford to have your meals conveniently prepared on a tight budget? By creating an inexpensive alternative to those store-bought pre-packaged foods. Stocking your pantry with your own homemade variety of these foods will save you an enormous amount of money and give you the opportunity to choose healthier ingredients to serve your family.
It's amazing just how many boxed foods you can make at home in your own kitchen. Rather than roaming through your grocery store's aisles grabbing overpriced cardboard boxes of quick meal solutions, create a couple counterparts easily in your very own kitchen and save an unbelievable amount of money while maintaining the convenience factor.
Several popular boxed meals are easily duplicated for a fraction of the cost of buying the store-bought ones. Here are just a few examples of how you can make some classic dishes that I'm sure you'll recognize.
Red Beans and Rice Mix: This is a classic meal that is very versatile. By mixing just a few dry ingredients together in an airtight container, you create a ready-to-use version of the boxed meal that is so popular. This traditional Cajun dish is perfect to expand upon with the addition of sausage, seafood, chicken, meat, vegetables, or whatever you want.
Suggested mix ingredients: 1 cup long grain brown rice, 1 tablespoon dry onion flakes, 1 tablespoon dry celery or celery seed, 1 tablespoon dry green pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 vegetable or chicken flavored bouillon cubes, 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, 1/4 cup bacon bits. Of course, this is a suggested dry mix recipe. You'll want to experiment with your own ideas. Cook according to the rice instructions, then add your beans, sauteed vegetables, or whatever other ingredients you choose.
Rice & Roni Mix: This is another classic take on a favorite boxed meal. You can, of course, make this as it is, but adding diced chicken, meat, and vegetables is an option. Use this mix as the jumping-off-point for lots of good one-dish skillet meals.
Suggested mix ingredients: 3/4 cup long grain brown or white rice, 1/4 cup broken vermicelli or spaghetti, 1 tablespoon dry onion, 1/4 teaspoon dry garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of a combination of dry thyme and dry sage OR 1/4 teaspoon dry poultry seasoning, 1 tablespoon dry parsley, 3 chicken flavored bouillon cubes. The basic recipe for this dry mix can be tweaked to suit your particular taste. Create your own special dish by experimenting with the seasonings and adding your own fresh ingredients when you make the dish.
Creamy Parmesan Rice Mix: Want a kid-friendly dish? This rice dish is nice and creamy and cheesy, making it perfect for kids. Because you use powdered milk, you can include it in the ready-to-use mix, rather than using fresh milk when the dish is prepared. You will really appreciate having this mix waiting for you in the pantry when your hungry little ones' are patiently waiting for dinner.
Suggested mix ingredients: 1 cup long grain brown rice or white rice, 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon, 2 tablespoons dry milk powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 cup grated dry Parmesan cheese (in canister) not freshly grated. Prepare this dish as is or add other ingredients, such as diced cooked chicken or mixed frozen vegetables, to create a full meal.
The cooking instructions for these mixes will depend on the amount of rice in the mix. The ingredients you use in the dry mix will depend on your own personal tastes. When it comes time to cook the meal, follow the rice cooking instructions from the box of rice you used, then add any other ingredients you wish, being sure the ingredients have been properly prepared and cooked if necessary.
When you get comfortable creating your own ready-to-make dinners at home, you'll quickly find new ways to make all your family's favorite "boxed" meals at home! Homemade pre-packaged foods are the perfect opportunity to experiment with all sorts of new and creative dishes. Add seafood, spices, herbs, vegetables, or anything you want to create a dish that becomes your own specialty.
Just a few of these basic go-to mixes in your pantry is all you need to quickly stir up a delicious and nutritious meal for your family. We all know that pre-packaged meals help make it possible for a busy household to get dinner together and on the table quickly and easily. But, unlike those store-bought boxes, these mixes are inexpensive and have your own special ingredient... love! Mix up a few of these ready-to-go mealtime shortcuts for your own busy family, and save yourself valuable time and money. - 30289
About the Author:
Store-bought boxed meals cost a small fortune. You can have convenience and save your budget by using a quick and easy homemade Mix For Red Rice and a homemade Mix For Garden Vegetable and Rice . With a few basic ingredients you can create mixes that are ready when you are, and your hungry family, at a fraction of the cost!
