Prep Fruits and Veggies Ahead for Low Cost Convenience
Single serving and ready-made "convenience" foods are quick and easy - but the cost of these foods adds up fast, and often they aren't very good for us. If you do some simple "prep ahead" steps for large batches of fruits and vegetables, you can enjoy easy, ready-to-go fruits and veggies throughout the week.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Wash salad greens and chop vegetables for tomorrow night's dinner the day before. Many vegetables keep well in the refrigerator if wrapped or placed in a plastic bag. When you come home, everything is ready to go.
- When sautéing onion, garlic or peppers for soups or sauces, make twice as much as needed. Before continuing with the recipe, scoop out the extra and refrigerate. Toss in soups, sauces and egg dishes later in the week.
- Mix a large container of low-fat yogurt with frozen fruit or canned pumpkin and place in the fridge. Serve yourself your own custom-made fruited yogurt at breakfast, lunch, or snack time.
- Place washed whole fruit - like apples, pears, bananas and oranges - in a bowl on the kitchen counter or table. You and your family will find a snack ready to go when you're on the run.
- Keep small plastic containers and sandwich or snack-size zipper bags in your cupboard. This makes it easy to pack lunches with single servings of fruits and veggies you've already washed or sliced.
By doing some work ahead of time, you can save time later when you're in a hurry.
