Quick Cooking Tip #1

Sometimes simply finding the time to cook is difficult. Let's face it, opening a box or a can and cooking that is much easier - but that homemade taste just isn't there - and if you want something more, well - that is a challenge. You can spice up food from a box or can by adding some fresh, dried or frozen herbs and spices. Now it won't taste exactly the same as if you spent the time to cook completely from scratch, but it won't be "blah" either.

Quick Cooking Tip #1: Make Convenience Foods Taste More Homemade

There are evenings when preparing everything from scratch just isn't realistic. Chores run late, an animal needs extra attention, or you simply don't have the time to start a meal from the beginning. A box or a can can help put dinner on the table, but it doesn't have to taste exactly like it did when you opened the package. Adding ingredients already in your homestead pantry can make an ordinary convenience meal feel more satisfying.

Fresh, dried and frozen herbs are especially useful for this. A small amount of parsley, thyme, sage or another herb that suits the dish can add a flavor you recognize from your own cooking. The important thing is to choose herbs that complement the food instead of pouring several different seasonings into the pot just because you have them. Taste first, add a little, and adjust as needed.

Using Herbs You Grew and Preserved

If you grow culinary herbs, this is one more reason to dry or freeze some of the harvest. A jar of dried herbs is easy to reach during a busy winter evening, and a small container of frozen herbs can be useful in soups, sauces and cooked vegetables. Dried herbs are usually more concentrated than fresh leaves, so begin with a modest amount and let the flavors blend before adding more.

A can of plain vegetables can be warmed with a little broth and herb seasoning. A simple boxed rice side can take on more character with parsley or a small amount of thyme. A commercially prepared soup may benefit from fresh herbs stirred in near the end. None of these turns the food into an entirely homemade recipe, but each can help you use the ingredients you've already put away.

Keep It Practical on Busy Homestead Days

Try keeping a few of your most frequently used seasonings together so they are easy to find when you're tired. That doesn't have to mean buying a special organizer. A small shelf or labeled jar can be enough. When you discover a combination your family likes, make a note of it so the same dinner is easier next time.

The video below is my original Quick Cooking Tip #1. It's a reminder that cooking from scratch and using a shortcut aren't opposing ideas; a household can do both depending on what the day allows. What herb do you reach for when you want to make a simple meal taste better?