What is your favorite convenience food shortcut?

[Claire]

In another thread I mentioned my favorite canned tomatoes for a quick red sauce (since I find jarred sauces way too sweet). Another is that there are several Indian foods that I buy (I think my favorite brand is Kitchens of India for the basic food, then Patak's for condiments). Which convenience products do you use for a shortcut when you don't have hours (or all day) to chop and simmer and bake, and how do you dress them up to make them your own?

 

[Alix]

Hmmm. I think I use far too many convenience foods to name them all. I think my favorite shortcut is the packaged bearnaise/hollandaise sauces. I use them in a LOT of different ways. I buy the International foods brand. Its usually just a buck or so and lasts forever.

I don't dress it up much though Claire. I just use it in different places than folks normally use bearnaise. We use it on tortellini, and occasionally on gnocchi. Not just for meat.

 

[Saphellae]

If I am feeling tired after work and theres nothing in the freezer, I will be known to.....

... snatch a box of KD from the cupboard I know.... let the flaming begin.

 

[ChefJune]

By far, my favorite are the stocks etc. from More than Gourmet. These days, the only one I regularly make from scratch is chicken. MTG is just too convenient. and such a high quality product.

 

[jet]

If I am feeling tired after work and theres nothing in the freezer, I will be known to.....

... snatch a box of KD from the cupboard I know.... let the flaming begin.

KD?

 

[Alix]

Kraft Dinner. And Saphellae, no flaming allowed. KD rocks HARD.

 

[Silversage]

I keep a bag of frozen ravioli in the freezer, which I buy already made from the grocery store. I also keep my homemade spaghetti sauce frozen.

So my favorite shortcut is to put my sauce on their ravioli. Dinner in 7 minutes!

 

[kadesma]

Since my hands tend to cramp if I chop and cut to much I buy already chopped onions, I love oven roasted tomatoes but buy canned in winter,Kraft dinners here are a must for quick lunches for my grand kids. I'd love to make my own stock, but being tied up with exchanges it is hard to do, so I buy stocks.And I'm know to purchase pastry dough but have resolved to try my hand at making my own.
kadesma,

 

[jet]

Kraft Dinner. And Saphellae, no flaming allowed. KD rocks HARD.

That still doesn't help me. Is it some type of canned, or otherwise shelf-stable, entree?

 

[sparrowgrass]

Kraft Dinner is known as Macaroni and Cheese down here in the States, jet.

 

[Deathbysoup]

Pre peeled/sliced sweet potato. I generally use sweet potatoes as fries anyways so it's convenient for me to buy them this way as they are sliced french fry style. I hate peeling and chopping those things. They are too oddly shaped.

Bisto - I have no excuse . I just love it .

Bisquick - I know it's just basiclly flour w/ salt/baking powder and what not but for certain things , I prefer it and it is easy to just pour it rather than get out the flour container .

Hummus - i could make my own but I usually find a deal that is for 2 so i can get two different flavors this way . I find hummus a pain in the *** to make and I eat a lot of it.

 

[Alix]

Heh heh Saph, we're speaking Canadian again!

Sorry jet, in these days of Google I sometimes forget to clarify things for people. Thanks sparrowgrass.

 

[kitchenelf]

Alix and Saph...please know that our preferred language here is English ...not Canadian.

 

[Alix]

Don't make me get snarky and send you off to labour with my neighbour!

 

[kitchenelf]

You mean labour with your favourite neighbour?

To actually join in the discussion...my favorite convenience food that I "enhance" would be Hunt's Traditional spaghetti sauce. I add red wine and lots more dried basil.

I also like to take black beans, add lime, cilantro, and cumin, toss with some cooked rice and top with shredded cheddar and a dollop of sour cream.

snarky...that's another one!

 

[jet]

Kraft Dinner is known as Macaroni and Cheese down here in the States, jet.

Oh...now I understand.

 

[jet]

Heh heh Saph, we're speaking Canadian again!

Sorry jet, in these days of Google I sometimes forget to clarify things for people. Thanks sparrowgrass.

I tried to Google "KD" but came up with nothing.

 

[FrankZ]

If I know I will be short on time or will just be lazy I buy the presliced/prewashed mushrooms.

 

[SierraCook]

Canned beans (refried, black, kidney, etc.) are a great asset for making a quick meal. Instant rice and canned diced tomatoes are two other items I use frequently when I am in a hurry.

 

[Alix]

I tried to Google "KD" but came up with nothing.

Did you try Googling Kraft Dinner? I get actual pictures and a Wiki article. Doesn't matter though, you know what it is now right?