convenience foods, come on 'fess up

[shipscook]

A very busy lady on another forum started a thread like this. I think we all have one or two stashed??

My constant one is probably Dona Maria Mole Sauce. It is so good. I tried it because I love mole and the pros on two other forums highly recommended it.

I must confess I have never made the real thing, haven't at work, although next job am going to try.

It is twenty seven ingredients and many hours of work. So here at home with four or so chicken thighs, my friend is Dona Maria!

Enjoy the good stuff,
Nan

[CanMan]

Wow, Mole Sauce isn't on any of my food lists. I do cheat and stash away Ketchup when it on sale and cheaper than the tomatoes I would make it with. Guess I'm farther down on the convenience scale.

[KYHeirloomer]

What this thread is highlighting is that "convenience" is a very baggy term; you can put anything into it you like.

Whenever I run into snotty foodies who claim "I never use convenience foods" the first thing I ask about is the Dijon mustard in their fridge. Somehow or other, a frozen entre' is a convenience food, but a pre-made condiment isn't. Go figure.

So, we exclude condiments. And then what? Do you cure your own bacon? I ask. Did you churn the butter that is so lovingly cradling those over-easies? Do you bake all your own bread and pastries?

"Convenience" is a continuum, it seems, with ketchup and mustard defining one end, and Crock Pot Classics the other.

All that aside, I shy away from most convenience products. But the fact is, a couple of cans of tomato product tucked away in the pantry can be a life-saver. And I have a few cans of various beans, as well, as back-ups. Usually I reconstitute dry beans. But sometimes..... And there almost always are a few foam cups of ramen noodles with shrimp standing ready for a quick snack or lunch. About 85% of the salad dressings I use come out of jars.

I'm sure if I took the time to look there would be a few more as well.

[Jafo232]

I think that I pretty much shy away from pre-packaged DINNERS or complete sides. However, when things are hectic and there isn't much time, I have been known to open a box of Kraft Mac n Cheese..

I try to make things from scratch whenever I can, but seriously, who doesn't have a can of breadcrumbs in their pantry?

[shipscook]

What this thread is highlighting is that "convenience" is a very baggy term; you can put anything into it you like.

Whenever I run into snotty foodies who claim "I never use convenience foods" the first thing I ask about is the Dijon mustard in their fridge. Somehow or other, a frozen entre' is a convenience food, but a pre-made condiment isn't. Go figure.

So, we exclude condiments. And then what? Do you cure your own bacon? I ask. Did you churn the butter that is so lovingly cradling those over-easies? Do you bake all your own bread and pastries?

"Convenience" is a continuum, it seems, with ketchup and mustard defining one end, and Crock Pot Classics the other.

All that aside, I shy away from most convenience products. But the fact is, a couple of cans of tomato product tucked away in the pantry can be a life-saver. And I have a few cans of various beans, as well, as back-ups. Usually I reconstitute dry beans. But sometimes..... And there almost always are a few foam cups of ramen noodles with shrimp standing ready for a quick snack or lunch. About 85% of the salad dressings I use come out of jars.

I'm sure if I took the time to look there would be a few more as well.

I didn't even think about condiments?

Also depending on where you live, tomato products are pretty basic I think. I do have a few cans of beans too.

And, I use both dry and sometimes frozen pasta. At home doesn't make much sense to make pasta although I love my machine. And at work, there is just not the time or space. Do make time for noodle for chicken soup when I can.

I have the can of bread crumbs at home. At work, the is usually a stash of bread odds and ends to toss in the FP.

I didn't think of this thread to make anyone feel guilty--just curious? Actually when I was on crutches last year and cooking with them in my tiny kitchen was difficult. Anything more than grilling a piece of fish or making a salad was tough, so Lean Cuisine was a big part of my diet.

Nan

[Mama Mangia]

I'm a homemade person - even with food preservation. All baked goods are made from scratch. I can my own sauces, fruits, veggies, broths, etc. Make my own butter, salad dressings, jellies, jams and marmalades. 99% of all pasta is homemade. Even some cheeses. And condiments. Including vanilla and other flavorings. Make my own cake mixes and baking mixes for when I am in a hurry. I use dried and canned beans. If I run out or homemade tomato sauce or puree - then I buy some.

But then again I make curtains, beadspreads, blankets, rugs, etc. etc, etc.

I'm older - and very old-fashioned....come from the old school................

: (

Mama

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

WELL I GUESS I CHEAT, BUT THEN I AM A PRODUCT OF MY BEING A CAPTIVE FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE, & MOM & EVERYTHING ELSE.....!!!

BUT I LOVE COOKING FROM SCRATCH, AND AM NOT WHAT YOU'D CALL A BAD COOK EITHER, AS A MATTER OF FACT SOME FOLKS THINK I AM A GOURMET COOK, BUT AS FOR ME I THINK I'M JUST A GOOD COOK AND LOVE TO COOK, BAKE AND GRILL (YOU NAME IT)..............
BUT AS FOR THE PRE-PKG'D STUFF I WILL USE; (IT IS WITHOUT A DOUBT VERY LITTLE) BUT I WILL USE FROZEN VEGGIES, AND RICE-A-RONI FROM TIME TO TIME, AND ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF CONDIMENTS. AND STORE BOUGHT BUTTER, ETC.

MAMAM I APPLAUDE AND REALLY ENVY YOU, I LOVE HOMEMADE EVERYTHING AND WISH I HAD TIME TO HOME MAKE EVERYTHING LIKE YOU, BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO DO. I USED TO HAVE TIME TO DO ALL THAT AS A YOUNG STAY-AT-HOME MOM, RIGHT DOWN TO MILKING THE COW, MAKING HOME CHURNED BUTTER, KILLING OUR OWN CHICKENS FOR THE DEEP FREEZE, AND HAVING LAYING HENS, AND HOME CANNED OR FROZEN VEGGIES. AND GOSH WAS IT ALL WONDERFUL, BUT HARD WORK AND TIME INTENSIVE! I CANNED TOMATOES ONE SUMMER RIGHT UP TO THE DAY I WENT IN TO DELIVER MY 1ST BORN!!! HOT WORK IN JULY AND NO A/C BACK THEN. I AM INDEED SPOILED NOW AND LOVING IT BUT THE REWARDS WERE DEFINITELY GREAT! I LIKE WHERE I AM AT IN LIFE RIGHT NOW! AND LOVE THE FREEDOM TO GARDEN NOW THAT I HAVE A YARD, AND HAVE LAYING HENS (WELL NOT YET BUT THEY'RE GROWING LIKE WEEDS) AND HOMEGROWN HERBS!!! WOW THIS IS WONDERFUL AND I LOVE IT!

I WOULD VOTE TO RETURN TO HOMEMADE EVERYTHING AND RETURN TO THAT IF IT WERE OFFERED TO ME TODAY, BUT AS IT IS I AM CONTENT TO JUST GO WITH THE FLOW......USE PREPACKAGED OR HOMEMADE DEPENDING ON THE MOMENT!

I AM NOT LIKE THAT LADY ON THE FOOD NETWORK THAT TAKES ALL PRE-PACKAGED PRODUCTS AND MANIPULATES THEM INTO MEALS, AND FOR THAT I AM GRATEFUL!

CCCATHY

[shipscook]

Hey great replies guys, thanks.
I too am looking forward to the day when I can prepare more stuff for my pantry. Like you Cathy, years back I did can veggies, sauces, jams, jellys, etc.
When I lived in the interior of Alaska, canned moose meat and did a lot of berry things including an amazing liquor.
But as strange as it may sound, here in the rain forest, it is almost impossible to grow many things, not enough sun and it's too wet. Factor in that I am away from home up to eight months or so a year--
If I am home in the summer at all, try to do a few batches of pickles, some blueberry jam and often that is it.
But in my next retirement, hope to have a little garden in back of the inn and be down the road from a farmers market. Oh, and a boy friend who brings home the fish and game, sigh.
enjoy,
Nan

[Mama Mangia]

I know all too well what it is like to work 2 full time jobs and still continue my "traditions". You become totally sleep-deprived to do it all too. I was a lot of work - I didn't get as much done as I could have - but I still did it.

Now - I've paid my dues - my time is my own - and I can devote the time I need to get these things done. Sure I am still pressed for time many times - but at least I am not punching the clock anymore.

That is one advantage of being a tad older. (tad??????) LOL

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

Mamam,

I Am Very Happy For You, And Yep I Am Sure You Paid Your Dues

I Just Can't Wait....

Cccathy