We are all busy parents and I am sure most if not all of when cooking use shortcuts; Pre-sliced whatever, jarred pasta sauce, etc. There are certain things that for whatever reason you won’t take the easy way. I have a few coworkers who make homemade marinara by the stock pot full and freeze it because they don’t like jarred sauce. I personally buy premade meatballs but I know a few people who make them homemade. For me I won’t use jared pumpkin puree when making pumpkin bread. I get a pumpkin cook it scoop it then make my bread. It is labor intensive but I think it taste better. I know there are others maybe I will think of them as you guys post
Update:Wow you guys are supper cooks and parents because I totally make pancakes from a box, use pre grated cheese, frozen pie crust, jared frosting, box cakes (we do make homemade sometimes), gravy and stock from a can
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Potatoes they have to be real, won't use the dry ones in the box for anything except maybe for snowflakes during the next school play.
I'm Italian and don't mind the jarred sauce. I mean, if someone is truly picky, there are $8 jars that are way better than most people's homemade.
I have to say, I'm willing to skimp on any ingredient -- buying store brands -- when times are tough. One could make a decent pasta dish, even with store brands, if one is very attentive to oven and stove temperatures, stirring and cooking times.
I guess the two things I'm picky about though are pizza and bagels. Both need to be authentic.
Pancakes. Too easy to make a good batter to settle for store bought.
I will not settle for store bought meatballs either. lol I make roll them into 1 inch balls then bake them on a cookie sheet at 350F for 15-20 minutes (don't really time it, I'm guessing.) I make a bunch and freeze em.
-Super cook? lol No way. There are certain things I like homemade. Other things I buy from the store... velveeta shells and cheese, frozen lasagna for quick dinners, etc Just personal preference.
I'm a stay-at-home mom who loves cooking, so I try to cook from scratch whenever possible. But I do use time-savers when necessary, except there are a few things I absolutely will not skimp on -- homemade pie crust, homemade pizza crust, and chocolate chip cookies.
I always bake from scratch, cookies & pie crusts. I don't use those flavor packets for things like chili. I add my own spices. I don't use jarred gravy. Instant potatoes are horrible so I peel and boil my own. For something like a chicken pot pie, I'd never use a can of cream of chicken for the filling. I make my own.
The only thing I can think of is grated cheese. I can't stand the powdery stuff in the green shakers. I'd rather buy a brick of Parmesan and grate it myself with a micro-plane or a box grater.
Using fresh cream to make whipped cream and I make chicken stock from scratch every time. I do a lot of scratch cooking but those 2 things are always homemade.
I HAVE to have Homemade Yorkshire Puddings, and Homemade Pancakes.
I cannot stand the pre-made ones, they are vile. Nothing like the real things.
Cheese sauce. It only takes 5 minutes to make, so why buy premade stuff you just pour water into?
the line at wendys. The corners there are high and I dont wanna scratch the bottom of my car.
But honestly if i can by it pre-made or cut and it will save me significant time and effort and possibly prevent me from having to stick my fingers into some dead animal I will. I'm not that big on making from scratch.