One way I have been able to save some money this winter on my food budget is to make large batches of soup and freeze them in portion sized containers. My favorite to use are Premier for really two reasons:
1 – they come in perfect portion sizes (1.25 and 2 cups )
2 - tomato based soups don’t stain Premier since they are stain resistant.
They are convenient for taking to lunch or having a warm dinner without the fuss of preparing a meal after work. Tip – take them out 24 hours since the soup tastes better when it defrosts naturally. I then microwave it to warm it up when I am ready for a quick meal.
I thought I would share my stepfather’s recipe for Beef & Vegetable stew. It has been in his family for years and is one of my favorite winter treats:
Buster’s Beef & Vegetable Stew
Heat ½ stick margarine
Add 3 onions diced small and 6 stalks of celery, chopped
Add 2” water and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes
Add 2 lbs stew beef and cook for another 15-20 minutes
Add 10 small diced peeled potatoes (about ½” size) and cook another 15-20 minutes
Finally, add 4 cans diced tomatoes, 3 cans of corn, and 3 cans butter beans (aka lima beans)
Simmer along, and add salt, pepper, sugar and hot sauce to tast
Does anyone know other tips for saving $ this winter?
I need some Rubbermaid containers. I dont have any.
I have to check out the soup blog
My wife could so use some of these. We really love rubbermaid!
Royal
good idea.. thanks
I think I am the 5th reply?!? I hope so!!
RT @RubbermaidTwo: Check out my soup blog – http://bit.ly/krP50 – 5th person to reply gets a free set of the Rubbermaid Premier mentioned!
This is really smart, and I will be definitely be making the stew.
Oh, pajamas! #6!
Counting tweets and blog replies, Tom won – congrats
Enjoy your Friday!
I am confused
He was #2?
I was confusing in my tweet – folks replied in both the blog and to twitter so took the timestamped 5th one from both sources. however, will send you a set as well for being 5th on the blog
i’ll send you an email to get your address!
Can’t believe you missed the opportunity to call it “Souper Solutions.” Too corny huh?
Very nice, love the premier system! Thanks for sharing.
I though I had tried tomato based soups in my Rubbermaid and they stained, but I am all about double checking. May have been an off brand. I love freezing soups and you’re right…the staining for me is a pet peeve.
Hi,
You can save money not just via making soups in large quantities and freezing in individual containers, but you can apply the same principle to every meal you make.
For example, I usually make a bit more of each dish at dinner time and then carefully pack leftovers for lunch the next day or freeze the containers for lunch the following week.
I jotted down a few recipes on my blog (including some advice on why eating out is a waste of money):
http://www.scordo.com/2008/12/why-you-should-not-eat-out-and.html
Best,
Vince
Thanks for your commens – great ideas!