Tag: save money

Blue Tape for Marking First-In First-Out Produce

Top quality fresh fruit and vegetables are expensive and tossing them in the trash hurts. But sometimes you can forget to rotate your supplies and an item spoils right in plain view. First-In First-Out (FIFO) is a smart way to save money and waste less food.

Once again, the roll of blue tape that hangs on the side of my refrigerator is my means of identifying which piece of fruit to use first. In this case, the two tomatoes with bits of blue tape are the oldest. When I added the new package of tomatoes to the dish on my counter, I tagged the older ones with tape. That way, anyone taking tomatoes from the dish, will know which ones were the First-In and therefore the next to be used.

Related Posts:

Keep Your Switches Clean: Another Use for Blue Tape

Blue Cook's Tape

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2015 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

The Hope of Spring …

Angel in the Snow, Little Did I Know …

February 24, 2015
Do You Plan to Do More Cooking at Home in 2015?

Many 2015 New Year’s resolutions revolve around ways to get healthier, save money, or learn new things. Cooking more at home and eating out less can be a step to all those goals. In one of my recent Fresh & Local newspaper columns I shared a few kitchen tips and tricks to help you cut clean up time, waste less food, and make cooking more fun.

Do you plan to do more cooking in 2015 than you did in 2014? How is that resolution going so far?

Less Stress

I’ve been rereading Michael Ruhlman's books lately. In Ruhlman's Twenty: 20 Techniques 100 Recipes A Cook's Manifesto, the first technique he recommends you learn to be a good cook is THINK. He asks his readers to stop and think as they step into the kitchen. This is a great way to reduce the stress of meal preparation.

Run through what you want to do in your mind. Make sure you have all the ingredients for your recipe. Get your equipment out and prepare everything you’ll need for the actual cooking.

In professional kitchens, this is called “mise en place.” It’s the reason a restaurant can pump out hundreds of great meals in a few hours and why a great cook can coordinate a meal so that everything is ready at the same time.

Less Waste

If you don’t use the food you buy, let it spoil, and then throw it out, you won’t save money by cooking at home.

To cut food waste, take the THINK technique one more step backwards. Before you decide what to make or compile your shopping list, check your refrigerator and pantry. What do you already have on hand? What needs to be used before it becomes food waste? Do you have space in your refrigerator or freezer to store leftovers if you make a big batch of something?

I find cooking very relaxing. With a tiny kitchen, I have to do a lot of thinking and planning to get a meal together. And, the small space forces me to clean as I go so I don't have a ton of clean up at the end of a cooking session. I'm also blessed with a husband who actually says, "You cooked it, I'll clean up," after a meal.

So far, I'm doing just about as much cooking in 2015 as I did in 2014. Here's hoping you find yourself enjoying your time in the kitchen a bit more with this THINK tip and technique.

Oh, and about Ruhlman's Twenty: 20 Techniques 100 Recipes A Cook's Manifesto, I highly recommend it to cooks at all levels of experience.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino from her Fresh & Local Newspaper column
Photos: ©2010-2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

A Busy Season Resource: Our Poached Chicken Links

A Few of Our Favorite Kitchen Gifts

Rich and Luscious Lamb Shank Chili

An Affordable Kitchen Cart (And It Isn't From IKEA) – Best Products for Small Kitchens

January 15, 2015
Dear Poppy, Should I Let Humans Brush My Teeth?

Dear Duchess Poppy,

The people I live with read that February is Doggie Dental Month, or something like that, and now they keep coming at me with silly sticks with brushes on the end. Do I have to put up with this? Should I let these humans clean my canines?

Questioningly,

Chomper

Dear Chomper,

As you can see from the photograph of moi above, I've trained my retainers to polish my pearly whites twice a day! I started this training the day I arrived here, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Who wants fuzzy teeth???

And, as much as I love my dear veterinarian team, I don't want to visit them too often. Do you have any idea how many presents I could have for the cost of one dental cleaning at the vets? Brushing means more money to spend on travel and jewelry!

I've had my research team post a video (below) for you to review and pass on to your servants.

Yours truly,

Poppy, Duchess of Whitehead

February is National Pet Dental Month

Have your family take 5 minutes to watch this video on why they should brush your teeth and how to do it.

Editor's Note: Among Poppy's fan mail are occasional requests for advice from her canine and feline friends. She has agreed to answer a few of them in our Sunday Dog Spot. Add your questions in the comments below or send Poppy an email.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Dutchess Poppy Whitehead as dictated to her assistant Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino

February 10, 2013
Dear Poppy, Should I Let Humans Brush My Teeth?

Dear Duchess Poppy,

The people I live with read that February is Doggie Dental Month, or something like that, and now they keep coming at me with silly sticks with brushes on the end. Do I have to put up with this? Should I let these humans clean my canines?

Questioningly,

Chomper

Dear Chomper,

As you can see from the photograph of moi above, I've trained my retainers to polish my pearly whites twice a day! I started this training the day I arrived here, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Who wants fuzzy teeth???

And, as much as I love my dear veterinarian team, I don't want to visit them too often. Do you have any idea how many presents I could have for the cost of one dental cleaning at the vets? Brushing means more money to spend on travel and jewelry!

I've had my research team post a video (below) for you to review and pass on to your servants.

Yours truly,

Poppy, Duchess of Whitehead

February is National Pet Dental Month

Have your family take 5 minutes to watch this video on why they should brush your teeth and how to do it.

Editor's Note: Among Poppy's fan mail are occasional requests for advice from her canine and feline friends. She has agreed to answer a few of them in our Sunday Dog Spot. Add your questions in the comments below or send Poppy an email.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Dutchess Poppy Whitehead as dictated to her assistant Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino

February 10, 2013
Dear Poppy, Should I Let Humans Brush My Teeth?

Dear Duchess Poppy,

The people I live with read that February is Doggie Dental Month, or something like that, and now they keep coming at me with silly sticks with brushes on the end. Do I have to put up with this? Should I let these humans clean my canines?

Questioningly,

Chomper

Dear Chomper,

As you can see from the photograph of moi above, I've trained my retainers to polish my pearly whites twice a day! I started this training the day I arrived here, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Who wants fuzzy teeth???

And, as much as I love my dear veterinarian team, I don't want to visit them too often. Do you have any idea how many presents I could have for the cost of one dental cleaning at the vets? Brushing means more money to spend on travel and jewelry!

I've had my research team post a video (below) for you to review and pass on to your servants.

Yours truly,

Poppy, Duchess of Whitehead

February is National Pet Dental Month

Have your family take 5 minutes to watch this video on why they should brush your teeth and how to do it.

Editor's Note: Among Poppy's fan mail are occasional requests for advice from her canine and feline friends. She has agreed to answer a few of them in our Sunday Dog Spot. Add your questions in the comments below or send Poppy an email.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Dutchess Poppy Whitehead as dictated to her assistant Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino

February 10, 2013
Blue Cook’s Tape

I know, other people call it Blue Painter's Tape but I use it to keep track of food.

It's a trick I picked up from restaurant kitchens where it is essential to rotate product and get a quick inventory of the prep work to be done.

I keep a roll handy. Right now, I'm using an old drafting table tape dispenser that sits in my mortar next to the refrigerator. If I open a carton of stock, the date is added before I pop it into the fridge. When I freeze meals or ingredients, they are labled with blue tape. Even my dog's raw food has the date I made it and which meat it contains. (She loves lamb, rabbit, and duck!)

It also does a great job of keeping those open boxes resealed when you pop them back into the freezer.

Out in my "hallway pantry" –a set of wooden cd racks that hold jars containing dry goods– I can tell my salt from my sugar because of a blue label.

Grab a roll the next time you're at a hardware store. You may be surprised at how many uses you'll find for it at home. The tape clings well, even after freezing, and then comes off cleanly when you want to remove it.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino (This batch taken with my iPhone!)

Related articles

An Organized Fridge is the Start of an Organized Kitchen

Kitchen Makeover: The Fridge & Pantry Edition! Part 2

What Is This And Where Did We Spot It? Play Attention to Detail

Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend

Cook's Treasure: Sautéed Onions and Garlic

January 22, 2013
Blue Cook’s Tape

I know, other people call it Blue Painter's Tape but I use it to keep track of food.

It's a trick I picked up from restaurant kitchens where it is essential to rotate product and get a quick inventory of the prep work to be done.

I keep a roll handy. Right now, I'm using an old drafting table tape dispenser that sits in my mortar next to the refrigerator. If I open a carton of stock, the date is added before I pop it into the fridge. When I freeze meals or ingredients, they are labled with blue tape. Even my dog's raw food has the date I made it and which meat it contains. (She loves lamb, rabbit, and duck!)

It also does a great job of keeping those open boxes resealed when you pop them back into the freezer.

Out in my "hallway pantry" –a set of wooden cd racks that hold jars containing dry goods– I can tell my salt from my sugar because of a blue label.

Grab a roll the next time you're at a hardware store. You may be surprised at how many uses you'll find for it at home. The tape clings well, even after freezing, and then comes off cleanly when you want to remove it.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino (This batch taken with my iPhone!)

Related articles

An Organized Fridge is the Start of an Organized Kitchen

Kitchen Makeover: The Fridge & Pantry Edition! Part 2

What Is This And Where Did We Spot It? Play Attention to Detail

Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend

Cook's Treasure: Sautéed Onions and Garlic

January 22, 2013
Blue Cook’s Tape

I know, other people call it Blue Painter's Tape but I use it to keep track of food.

It's a trick I picked up from restaurant kitchens where it is essential to rotate product and get a quick inventory of the prep work to be done.

I keep a roll handy. Right now, I'm using an old drafting table tape dispenser that sits in my mortar next to the refrigerator. If I open a carton of stock, the date is added before I pop it into the fridge. When I freeze meals or ingredients, they are labled with blue tape. Even my dog's raw food has the date I made it and which meat it contains. (She loves lamb, rabbit, and duck!)

It also does a great job of keeping those open boxes resealed when you pop them back into the freezer.

Out in my "hallway pantry" –a set of wooden cd racks that hold jars containing dry goods– I can tell my salt from my sugar because of a blue label.

Grab a roll the next time you're at a hardware store. You may be surprised at how many uses you'll find for it at home. The tape clings well, even after freezing, and then comes off cleanly when you want to remove it.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino (This batch taken with my iPhone!)

Related articles

An Organized Fridge is the Start of an Organized Kitchen

Kitchen Makeover: The Fridge & Pantry Edition! Part 2

What Is This And Where Did We Spot It? Play Attention to Detail

Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend

Cook's Treasure: Sautéed Onions and Garlic

January 22, 2013
Cover Up: Keep It Simple in the Kitchen

My history with chef jackets began as a joke gift from Ed, many years ago. He gave me a black jacket with "Chef Penny" and "Cherubino Cafe" enbroidered on it. It was a joke that turned into a time and money saver. I quickly learned that wearing it prevented stains and spatters on my clothes.

My jacket hangs at the entry to the kitchen, ready to grab on the way in.

This design of a long sleeve, double-breasted, heavy, cotton coat for food preparation has evolved over the years. Here's a bit of history of the chef's uniform.

Today, you'll see jackets on many people, like me, who are home cooks but who enjoy going along with a bit of practical fun. With grilling season approaching, you might order one for your favorite grill master.

Aprons are great and a help at protecting your clothes but they cover less than a jacket. And, those long sleeves have saved me from oven rack burns more than once.

If you add a baseball cap when your're cooking a food with a lot of spatter, the brim will protect your eyes and glasses (if you wear them).

As you can see in the photo, my jacket has had dozens of washings and is still in everyday use. I even have an older version packed in our traveling kitchen bag. What? You don't have a travel kitchen? We'll have to tell you about that item before the summer rental season begins.

Related Posts:

Use Your Lid: Keep it Simple in the Kitchen

Cabbage & Kielbasa Stir-Fry: Keep it Simple in the Kitchen

Guacamole, Hand Made: Keep It Simple in the Kitchen

And, here's a link to all our Tips & How To posts

What's on your kitchen shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Chef Works Basic Chef Coat

Chef Works Striped Bib Apron

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those add a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

May 17, 2012