sf wrote:
>
> On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:16:56 -0500, Ema Nymton >
> wrote:
>
> > On 7/23/2014 8:44 AM, Pete C. wrote:
> >
> > > People who are "too tired to cook" and thus eat prepared junk food are
> > > tired *because* they eat prepared junk food. Stop eating crap and you'll
> > > have the energy to cook real food. Also get rid of the TV, it is a truly
> > > incredible time waster.
> >
> > You may be exactly right about some people.
> >
> > The OP said, "Working full time puts a crimp in my creative cooking
> > cause I'm usually too pooped to mess with a lot of prep or complicated
> > dishes when I get home. I do most of my cooking on the weekends and then
> > have that through the week." She did not mention junk food.
> >
> Trader Joe's and most grocery stores sell pre chopped/shredded items
> these days. They are a wonderful time saver for people like the OP. I
> like them too, but I tend to buy the bags of prewashed lettuce and
> things like precut broccoli florets rather than carrot sticks or
> chopped onion. I do like the precut mirepoix (chopped celery, onions,
> and carrots). I bought a container and froze it in thirds... used it
> all in two weeks, so it was money well spent.

Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
time management need to be looked at.

On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 16:42:18 -0500, "Pete C." >
wrote:

>
> sf wrote:
> >
> > On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:16:56 -0500, Ema Nymton >
> > wrote:
> >
> > > On 7/23/2014 8:44 AM, Pete C. wrote:
> > >
> > > > People who are "too tired to cook" and thus eat prepared junk food are
> > > > tired *because* they eat prepared junk food. Stop eating crap and you'll
> > > > have the energy to cook real food. Also get rid of the TV, it is a truly
> > > > incredible time waster.
> > >
> > > You may be exactly right about some people.
> > >
> > > The OP said, "Working full time puts a crimp in my creative cooking
> > > cause I'm usually too pooped to mess with a lot of prep or complicated
> > > dishes when I get home. I do most of my cooking on the weekends and then
> > > have that through the week." She did not mention junk food.
> > >
> > Trader Joe's and most grocery stores sell pre chopped/shredded items
> > these days. They are a wonderful time saver for people like the OP. I
> > like them too, but I tend to buy the bags of prewashed lettuce and
> > things like precut broccoli florets rather than carrot sticks or
> > chopped onion. I do like the precut mirepoix (chopped celery, onions,
> > and carrots). I bought a container and froze it in thirds... used it
> > all in two weeks, so it was money well spent.
>
> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
> time management need to be looked at.

Let's just take me. It's a big deal for me to make mirepoix because I
don't use celery for much (anything) else and don't want to store
what's left after I've used only one or two stalks. If I buy it in
smaller amounts at a higher price so I don't have to deal with the
leftovers, I might as well just buy the entire mirepoix pre-chopped.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 16:42:18 -0500, "Pete C." >
> wrote:
>
>>
>> sf wrote:
>> >
>> > On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:16:56 -0500, Ema Nymton >
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> > > On 7/23/2014 8:44 AM, Pete C. wrote:
>> > >
>> > > > People who are "too tired to cook" and thus eat prepared junk food
>> > > > are
>> > > > tired *because* they eat prepared junk food. Stop eating crap and
>> > > > you'll
>> > > > have the energy to cook real food. Also get rid of the TV, it is a
>> > > > truly
>> > > > incredible time waster.
>> > >
>> > > You may be exactly right about some people.
>> > >
>> > > The OP said, "Working full time puts a crimp in my creative cooking
>> > > cause I'm usually too pooped to mess with a lot of prep or
>> > > complicated
>> > > dishes when I get home. I do most of my cooking on the weekends and
>> > > then
>> > > have that through the week." She did not mention junk food.
>> > >
>> > Trader Joe's and most grocery stores sell pre chopped/shredded items
>> > these days. They are a wonderful time saver for people like the OP. I
>> > like them too, but I tend to buy the bags of prewashed lettuce and
>> > things like precut broccoli florets rather than carrot sticks or
>> > chopped onion. I do like the precut mirepoix (chopped celery, onions,
>> > and carrots). I bought a container and froze it in thirds... used it
>> > all in two weeks, so it was money well spent.
>>
>> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
>> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
>> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
>> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
>> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
>> time management need to be looked at.
>
> Let's just take me. It's a big deal for me to make mirepoix because I
> don't use celery for much (anything) else and don't want to store
> what's left after I've used only one or two stalks. If I buy it in
> smaller amounts at a higher price so I don't have to deal with the
> leftovers, I might as well just buy the entire mirepoix pre-chopped.

I can buy single ribs of celery at many stores here. I may well pay more
for it that way. I don't check the price. I figure that a rib or two isn't
going to set me back much. It's hit or miss on celery here. There are
weeks when we'll go through two huge stalks and other weeks where we eat
none. The last time I bought it, I managed to find a very small stalk so I
bought that. Would have loved to have found fresh peas but I rarely seem to
be able to. Also found one small zucchini and loose green beans. I'm not
always so lucky. Depending on where I shop, I sometimes have to buy a huge
portion of something just to make a good pot of soup.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 16:42:18 -0500, "Pete C." >
> wrote:
>
>>
>> sf wrote:
>> >
>> > On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:16:56 -0500, Ema Nymton >
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> > > On 7/23/2014 8:44 AM, Pete C. wrote:
>> > >
>> > > > People who are "too tired to cook" and thus eat prepared junk food
>> > > > are
>> > > > tired *because* they eat prepared junk food. Stop eating crap and
>> > > > you'll
>> > > > have the energy to cook real food. Also get rid of the TV, it is a
>> > > > truly
>> > > > incredible time waster.
>> > >
>> > > You may be exactly right about some people.
>> > >
>> > > The OP said, "Working full time puts a crimp in my creative cooking
>> > > cause I'm usually too pooped to mess with a lot of prep or
>> > > complicated
>> > > dishes when I get home. I do most of my cooking on the weekends and
>> > > then
>> > > have that through the week." She did not mention junk food.
>> > >
>> > Trader Joe's and most grocery stores sell pre chopped/shredded items
>> > these days. They are a wonderful time saver for people like the OP. I
>> > like them too, but I tend to buy the bags of prewashed lettuce and
>> > things like precut broccoli florets rather than carrot sticks or
>> > chopped onion. I do like the precut mirepoix (chopped celery, onions,
>> > and carrots). I bought a container and froze it in thirds... used it
>> > all in two weeks, so it was money well spent.
>>
>> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
>> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
>> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
>> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
>> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
>> time management need to be looked at.
>
> Let's just take me. It's a big deal for me to make mirepoix because I
> don't use celery for much (anything) else and don't want to store
> what's left after I've used only one or two stalks. If I buy it in
> smaller amounts at a higher price so I don't have to deal with the
> leftovers, I might as well just buy the entire mirepoix pre-chopped.

Heh we don't like it at all so never use it. I do chop up other stuff
though ie onions, shallots and scallions, garlic, peppers, leeks, carrots.



--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 16:42:18 -0500, "Pete C." >
>> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> sf wrote:
>>> >
>>> > On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:16:56 -0500, Ema Nymton >
>>> > wrote:
>>> >
>>> > > On 7/23/2014 8:44 AM, Pete C. wrote:
>>> > >
>>> > > > People who are "too tired to cook" and thus eat prepared junk food
>>> > > > are
>>> > > > tired *because* they eat prepared junk food. Stop eating crap and
>>> > > > you'll
>>> > > > have the energy to cook real food. Also get rid of the TV, it is a
>>> > > > truly
>>> > > > incredible time waster.
>>> > >
>>> > > You may be exactly right about some people.
>>> > >
>>> > > The OP said, "Working full time puts a crimp in my creative cooking
>>> > > cause I'm usually too pooped to mess with a lot of prep or
>>> > > complicated
>>> > > dishes when I get home. I do most of my cooking on the weekends and
>>> > > then
>>> > > have that through the week." She did not mention junk food.
>>> > >
>>> > Trader Joe's and most grocery stores sell pre chopped/shredded items
>>> > these days. They are a wonderful time saver for people like the OP. I
>>> > like them too, but I tend to buy the bags of prewashed lettuce and
>>> > things like precut broccoli florets rather than carrot sticks or
>>> > chopped onion. I do like the precut mirepoix (chopped celery, onions,
>>> > and carrots). I bought a container and froze it in thirds... used it
>>> > all in two weeks, so it was money well spent.
>>>
>>> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
>>> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
>>> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
>>> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
>>> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
>>> time management need to be looked at.
>>
>> Let's just take me. It's a big deal for me to make mirepoix because I
>> don't use celery for much (anything) else and don't want to store
>> what's left after I've used only one or two stalks. If I buy it in
>> smaller amounts at a higher price so I don't have to deal with the
>> leftovers, I might as well just buy the entire mirepoix pre-chopped.
>
> Heh we don't like it at all so never use it. I do chop up other stuff
> though ie onions, shallots and scallions, garlic, peppers, leeks, carrots.

Oooh! Celery is one of my favorite foods. I add it to a lot of things that
I cook.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...

> Oooh! Celery is one of my favorite foods. I add it to a lot of things
> that I cook.

I like to make Ina Garten's celery salad occasionally. It's very refreshing.

Cheri

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Oooh! Celery is one of my favorite foods. I add it to a lot of things
>> that I cook.
>
> I like to make Ina Garten's celery salad occasionally. It's very
> refreshing.

I believe that I made it once. Perhaps minus cheese? It was good.

sf wrote:
>
> On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 16:42:18 -0500, "Pete C." >
> wrote:
>
> >
> > sf wrote:
> > >
> > > On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:16:56 -0500, Ema Nymton >
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > On 7/23/2014 8:44 AM, Pete C. wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > People who are "too tired to cook" and thus eat prepared junk food are
> > > > > tired *because* they eat prepared junk food. Stop eating crap and you'll
> > > > > have the energy to cook real food. Also get rid of the TV, it is a truly
> > > > > incredible time waster.
> > > >
> > > > You may be exactly right about some people.
> > > >
> > > > The OP said, "Working full time puts a crimp in my creative cooking
> > > > cause I'm usually too pooped to mess with a lot of prep or complicated
> > > > dishes when I get home. I do most of my cooking on the weekends and then
> > > > have that through the week." She did not mention junk food.
> > > >
> > > Trader Joe's and most grocery stores sell pre chopped/shredded items
> > > these days. They are a wonderful time saver for people like the OP. I
> > > like them too, but I tend to buy the bags of prewashed lettuce and
> > > things like precut broccoli florets rather than carrot sticks or
> > > chopped onion. I do like the precut mirepoix (chopped celery, onions,
> > > and carrots). I bought a container and froze it in thirds... used it
> > > all in two weeks, so it was money well spent.
> >
> > Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
> > I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
> > more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
> > than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
> > being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
> > time management need to be looked at.
>
> Let's just take me. It's a big deal for me to make mirepoix because I
> don't use celery for much (anything) else and don't want to store
> what's left after I've used only one or two stalks. If I buy it in
> smaller amounts at a higher price so I don't have to deal with the
> leftovers, I might as well just buy the entire mirepoix pre-chopped.

Yes, but that's an entirely different issue from "They are a wonderful
time saver for people like the OP". Even from the quantity usage angle
I'd buy normal amounts of the ingredients, chop them myself and then
freeze the leftovers for future use, and you indicated you did indeed
freeze leftovers even when buying pre-cut. So you paid more and still
portioned, packaged and stored leftovers, not what I'd call a win
really.

On Thu, 24 Jul 2014 08:12:34 -0500, "Pete C." >
wrote:

>
> sf wrote:
> >
> > On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 16:42:18 -0500, "Pete C." >
> > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > sf wrote:
> > > >
> > > > On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:16:56 -0500, Ema Nymton >
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > On 7/23/2014 8:44 AM, Pete C. wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > People who are "too tired to cook" and thus eat prepared junk food are
> > > > > > tired *because* they eat prepared junk food. Stop eating crap and you'll
> > > > > > have the energy to cook real food. Also get rid of the TV, it is a truly
> > > > > > incredible time waster.
> > > > >
> > > > > You may be exactly right about some people.
> > > > >
> > > > > The OP said, "Working full time puts a crimp in my creative cooking
> > > > > cause I'm usually too pooped to mess with a lot of prep or complicated
> > > > > dishes when I get home. I do most of my cooking on the weekends and then
> > > > > have that through the week." She did not mention junk food.
> > > > >
> > > > Trader Joe's and most grocery stores sell pre chopped/shredded items
> > > > these days. They are a wonderful time saver for people like the OP. I
> > > > like them too, but I tend to buy the bags of prewashed lettuce and
> > > > things like precut broccoli florets rather than carrot sticks or
> > > > chopped onion. I do like the precut mirepoix (chopped celery, onions,
> > > > and carrots). I bought a container and froze it in thirds... used it
> > > > all in two weeks, so it was money well spent.
> > >
> > > Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
> > > I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
> > > more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
> > > than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
> > > being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
> > > time management need to be looked at.
> >
> > Let's just take me. It's a big deal for me to make mirepoix because I
> > don't use celery for much (anything) else and don't want to store
> > what's left after I've used only one or two stalks. If I buy it in
> > smaller amounts at a higher price so I don't have to deal with the
> > leftovers, I might as well just buy the entire mirepoix pre-chopped.
>
> Yes, but that's an entirely different issue from "They are a wonderful
> time saver for people like the OP". Even from the quantity usage angle
> I'd buy normal amounts of the ingredients, chop them myself and then
> freeze the leftovers for future use, and you indicated you did indeed
> freeze leftovers even when buying pre-cut. So you paid more and still
> portioned, packaged and stored leftovers, not what I'd call a win
> really.

It was a big win for me. I didn't need to spend time selecting,
buying or preparing (clean, peel/string) the individual items to chop
and the package cost around $2. I'd be spending close to $2 just on
celery alone. The only item in mirepoix that I use several times a
week is onion so I have it on hand at all times, but I can cook for
weeks and never require a carrot or a stalk of celery. They are space
wasters for me and I've decided that buying pre-chopped mirepoix is
the direction I'm going in the future.

You know the saying: "If you can fix a problem by throwing money at
it, it's not a problem".

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On 2014-07-23 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:

> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max.

How about snipping beans. I can do it in the time it takes the water to
come to a boil.

I think it's really
> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
> time management need to be looked at.
>

Maybe they have to learn that multitasking does not mean rushing into
the kitchen during commercials.

On 7/23/2014 6:43 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> On 2014-07-23 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>
>> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
>> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max.
>
> How about snipping beans. I can do it in the time it takes the water to
> come to a boil.
>
> I think it's really
>> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
>> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
>> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
>> time management need to be looked at.
>>
>
> Maybe they have to learn that multitasking does not mean rushing into
> the kitchen during commercials.
>

I dunno. I left the house at 6:45 Am to take the 7 AM train to Newark.
Was at my desk before 8 AM. Left work (if I was lucky) at 5 PM and
got off the train at 5:45 where DH picked me up and we had a 20 minute
ride home.

Off came the little blue suit, on came the apron and I hit the stove.

I don't think it's a question of being too tired, it might be a question
of being unmotivated.

--
From somewhere very deep in the heart of Texas

Janet Wilder wrote:
>
> On 7/23/2014 6:43 PM, Dave Smith wrote:
> > On 2014-07-23 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:
> >
> >> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
> >> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max.
> >
> > How about snipping beans. I can do it in the time it takes the water to
> > come to a boil.
> >
> > I think it's really
> >> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
> >> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
> >> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
> >> time management need to be looked at.
> >>
> >
> > Maybe they have to learn that multitasking does not mean rushing into
> > the kitchen during commercials.
> >
>
> I dunno. I left the house at 6:45 Am to take the 7 AM train to Newark.
> Was at my desk before 8 AM. Left work (if I was lucky) at 5 PM and
> got off the train at 5:45 where DH picked me up and we had a 20 minute
> ride home.
>
> Off came the little blue suit, on came the apron and I hit the stove.
>
> I don't think it's a question of being too tired, it might be a question
> of being unmotivated.

Both of which can be linked to eating a diet of high fat and salt
prepared foods that are about as boring as you can get.

On 2014-07-24 9:17 AM, Pete C. wrote:
>
> Janet Wilder wrote:

>> I don't think it's a question of being too tired, it might be a question
>> of being unmotivated.
>
> Both of which can be linked to eating a diet of high fat and salt
> prepared foods that are about as boring as you can get.


I was never into prepared foods or junk foods but I have to admit that I
had some bad eating habits, like snacking. When I was working I usually
had cereal with a banana for breakfast. We used to stop at Hortons for
coffee, so it was hard not to have a donut with it. Lunch was usually
eaten in a restaurant, so that usually translated to a high fat, high
salt meal. That food goes through you and sets up a craving for more.
Cookies were a favourite snack around the house.

After my cardiac incident I had to stick to a healthier diet. I cut out
the sweet snacks and have fruit instead. I switched to whole wheat and
whole grain breads and rolls. I always preferred the taste of whole
wheat, but realized after switching almost exclusively to it, that it
satisfies you and keeps you going longer. I don't find myself getting
really hungry in the middle of the morning or the afternoon.

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> On 2014-07-24 9:17 AM, Pete C. wrote:
> >
> > Janet Wilder wrote:
>
> >> I don't think it's a question of being too tired, it might be a question
> >> of being unmotivated.
> >
> > Both of which can be linked to eating a diet of high fat and salt
> > prepared foods that are about as boring as you can get.
>
> I was never into prepared foods or junk foods but I have to admit that I
> had some bad eating habits, like snacking. When I was working I usually
> had cereal with a banana for breakfast. We used to stop at Hortons for
> coffee, so it was hard not to have a donut with it. Lunch was usually
> eaten in a restaurant, so that usually translated to a high fat, high
> salt meal. That food goes through you and sets up a craving for more.
> Cookies were a favourite snack around the house.
>
> After my cardiac incident I had to stick to a healthier diet. I cut out
> the sweet snacks and have fruit instead. I switched to whole wheat and
> whole grain breads and rolls. I always preferred the taste of whole
> wheat, but realized after switching almost exclusively to it, that it
> satisfies you and keeps you going longer. I don't find myself getting
> really hungry in the middle of the morning or the afternoon.

"I cut out the sweet snacks and have fruit instead." - Keep in mind
that fruit is indeed sweet and loaded with sugar. The only real
difference between the snacks and the fruit is the fruit gives you some
actual nutrients and fiber along with the sugar.

On 2014-07-25 11:53 AM, Pete C. wrote:
ookies were a favourite snack around the house.
>>
>> After my cardiac incident I had to stick to a healthier diet. I cut out
>> the sweet snacks and have fruit instead. I switched to whole wheat and
>> whole grain breads and rolls. I always preferred the taste of whole
>> wheat, but realized after switching almost exclusively to it, that it
>> satisfies you and keeps you going longer. I don't find myself getting
>> really hungry in the middle of the morning or the afternoon.
>
> "I cut out the sweet snacks and have fruit instead." - Keep in mind
> that fruit is indeed sweet and loaded with sugar. The only real
> difference between the snacks and the fruit is the fruit gives you some
> actual nutrients and fiber along with the sugar.
>

True. While there is sugar in fruit it is not that refined stuff that
spikes your blood sugar and then quickly leaves you in a slump wanting
more. Half a banana or a few grapes was enough to fill the gap. A cookie
or two would have led to more cookies.

"Pete C." wrote:
>
>"I cut out the sweet snacks and have fruit instead." - Keep in mind
>that fruit is indeed sweet and loaded with sugar. The only real
>difference between the snacks and the fruit is the fruit gives you some
>actual nutrients and fiber along with the sugar.

I eat a lot of fresh fruit but when I have an urge for sweets/candy I
eat dried fruit... I keep a varied supply on hand, it doesn't spoil...
for me dried fruit is like candy, but it concentrates nutrients
(especially minerals), it's high in fiber, and it costs less than
fresh fruit or candy. And one of my favorite desserts is compote, a
mixture of stewed dried fruit.

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> On 2014-07-23 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>
> > Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
> > I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max.
>
> How about snipping beans. I can do it in the time it takes the water to
> come to a boil.

Yes, once again that brings time management into the picture. Most
anyone who cooks regularly should grasp the concept of working on a
shorter cooking item while a longer cooking one is cooking.

>
> I think it's really
> > more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
> > than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
> > being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
> > time management need to be looked at.
> >
>
> Maybe they have to learn that multitasking does not mean rushing into
> the kitchen during commercials.

Quite possibly.

In article >, says...
>
> On 2014-07-23 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>
> > Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
> > I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max.
>
> How about snipping beans. I can do it in the time it takes the water to
> come to a boil.

Ha, but you do things in the right order.I have met countless people who do every
piddling little task (not just in cooking, but other work) in such a wrong and
inefficient order it takes them two or three times as long as it should.

Janet UK

"janet" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> says...
>>
>> On 2014-07-23 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>>
>> > Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I
>> > know
>> > I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max.
>>
>> How about snipping beans. I can do it in the time it takes the water to
>> come to a boil.
>
> Ha, but you do things in the right order.I have met countless people who
> do every
> piddling little task (not just in cooking, but other work) in such a wrong
> and
> inefficient order it takes them two or three times as long as it should.
>
> Janet UK

I know someone like that. I always want to step in and do whatever it is
for her just to get it over with.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
...
>
> "janet" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In article >,
>> says...
>>>
>>> On 2014-07-23 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>>>
>>> > Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I
>>> > know
>>> > I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max.
>>>
>>> How about snipping beans. I can do it in the time it takes the water to
>>> come to a boil.
>>
>> Ha, but you do things in the right order.I have met countless people who
>> do every
>> piddling little task (not just in cooking, but other work) in such a
>> wrong and
>> inefficient order it takes them two or three times as long as it should.
>>
>> Janet UK
>
> I know someone like that. I always want to step in and do whatever it is
> for her just to get it over with.

It doesn't really bother me since I imagine people are capable of deciding
for themselves what the right order is if it only affects them, the
workplace is different of course.

Cheri

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "janet" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> In article >,
>>> says...
>>>>
>>>> On 2014-07-23 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>>>>
>>>> > Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I
>>>> > know
>>>> > I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max.
>>>>
>>>> How about snipping beans. I can do it in the time it takes the water to
>>>> come to a boil.
>>>
>>> Ha, but you do things in the right order.I have met countless people
>>> who do every
>>> piddling little task (not just in cooking, but other work) in such a
>>> wrong and
>>> inefficient order it takes them two or three times as long as it should.
>>>
>>> Janet UK
>>
>> I know someone like that. I always want to step in and do whatever it is
>> for her just to get it over with.
>
> It doesn't really bother me since I imagine people are capable of deciding
> for themselves what the right order is if it only affects them, the
> workplace is different of course.
>
> Cheri

I don't work with this person. But... She used to tell me to meet her
where she worked and we'd go out to lunch. Or to come to her house and we'd
go out to dinner. So I would show up when she told me to and then it might
be 2-3 hours later before we left because... She would say, "Give me two
minutes. Just TWO minutes!" And then she would proceed to do something
that seriously would take me two minutes. But she was always getting
distracted by other things.

For instance, she would decided that she needed to wipe down the kitchen
table. She was always wiping it down. If I was sitting there having a cup
of coffee, she might wipe it down three times before I finished the coffee.
She seemed to think that germs were lurking everywhere and yet she used that
nasty cloth on anything and everything. But before she could use it she had
to rinse it out and wring it out in a certain way and then unfold it and
place it just exactly so on the table. But then she would notice something
in the lazy Susan that was on the table that she had meant to take
downstairs.

So she would go down there and notice things wrong. Like her son's laundry
that didn't get washed. So she would put that in the washer and while
there, realize that it had been a while since she cleaned out the big
freezer.

Perhaps an hour later she'd come up with some stuff to put in the small
freezer and then this would always involve some rearranging of stuff in that
freezer and the fridge. Then she would remember that she started out to
wipe the table. And she would start all over again. Rinse out the cloth,
arrange it just so on the table and...

Oh my! She would see the stack of magazines under the window and would
start going through them to weed out the old ones. Then she would run them
outside where she would run into the guy from Schwann's. And then she would
have to come in to write him a check. And in looking in the drawer where
the checkbook was, that would lead to more tasks that had to be done then
and there.

Eventually she would get to wiping the table.

If she was at work, the task could be as simple as mailing a document. But
in order for her to do this, not only did the desk need to be wiped down,
but everything on it needed to be put back in its proper place, even if that
meant only moving it a fraction of an inch. Oh but she also needed to wipe
down underneath everything while she was at it. Then the envelope had to be
placed just so on the desk and while she was grabbing a pen from the cup,
not only did all of those pens need to be rearranged, but she ought to
refill them too.

Invariably something would come up that prevented her from addressing the
envelope. A customer would come in or the phone would ring. Then start all
over again with cleaning the desk and putting everything in place.

I finally got to the point where I didn't want to make plans to do anything
with her, especially if it was dining. I'd be starving by the time we got
there and many times if it was going out to dinner, the restaurant would
have closed by the time we got there. If we had reservations, she often
would call 2 or 3 times and make the reservations for later.

This person doesn't cook. And I can see why. I don't think she would ever
make it to the end of a recipe.

"Cheri" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "janet" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> In article >,
>>> says...
>>>>
>>>> On 2014-07-23 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>>>>
>>>> > Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I
>>>> > know
>>>> > I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max.
>>>>
>>>> How about snipping beans. I can do it in the time it takes the water to
>>>> come to a boil.
>>>
>>> Ha, but you do things in the right order.I have met countless people
>>> who do every
>>> piddling little task (not just in cooking, but other work) in such a
>>> wrong and
>>> inefficient order it takes them two or three times as long as it should.
>>>
>>> Janet UK
>>
>> I know someone like that. I always want to step in and do whatever it is
>> for her just to get it over with.
>
> It doesn't really bother me since I imagine people are capable of deciding
> for themselves what the right order is if it only affects them, the
> workplace is different of course.

+1
--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 19:43:52 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

> On 2014-07-23 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>
> > Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
> > I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max.
>
> How about snipping beans. I can do it in the time it takes the water to
> come to a boil.
>

Sure, anyone can line them up and chop. No biggie.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On 7/23/2014 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:

> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
> time management need to be looked at.

I don't think it saves time at all, but if you can buy, cut and freeze
without losing much quality, that's the best way to go. I only say that
because if I'm behind on shopping I might not have all of the
ingredients needed to make something like a bisque that needs mirepoix.
I might have onions but no carrots. I usually always have celery but
if I'm on a celery with peanut butter kick, that might be my breakfast
or lunch or snack until I'm out.

--
ღ.¸¸.œ«*¨`*œ¶
Cheryl

"Cheryl" > wrote in message
eb.com...
> On 7/23/2014 5:42 PM, Pete C. wrote:
>
>> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
>> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
>> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
>> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
>> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
>> time management need to be looked at.
>
> I don't think it saves time at all, but if you can buy, cut and freeze
> without losing much quality, that's the best way to go. I only say that
> because if I'm behind on shopping I might not have all of the ingredients
> needed to make something like a bisque that needs mirepoix. I might have
> onions but no carrots. I usually always have celery but if I'm on a celery
> with peanut butter kick, that might be my breakfast or lunch or snack
> until I'm out.

Celery is the one thing that I do run out of. I bought some dried the other
day to use in a pinch for soup. I like celery in almost all of the soup
that I make.

"Pete C." > wrote in message
. com...
>
> sf wrote:
>>
>> On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:16:56 -0500, Ema Nymton >
>> wrote:
>>
>> > On 7/23/2014 8:44 AM, Pete C. wrote:
>> >
>> > > People who are "too tired to cook" and thus eat prepared junk food
>> > > are
>> > > tired *because* they eat prepared junk food. Stop eating crap and
>> > > you'll
>> > > have the energy to cook real food. Also get rid of the TV, it is a
>> > > truly
>> > > incredible time waster.
>> >
>> > You may be exactly right about some people.
>> >
>> > The OP said, "Working full time puts a crimp in my creative cooking
>> > cause I'm usually too pooped to mess with a lot of prep or complicated
>> > dishes when I get home. I do most of my cooking on the weekends and
>> > then
>> > have that through the week." She did not mention junk food.
>> >
>> Trader Joe's and most grocery stores sell pre chopped/shredded items
>> these days. They are a wonderful time saver for people like the OP. I
>> like them too, but I tend to buy the bags of prewashed lettuce and
>> things like precut broccoli florets rather than carrot sticks or
>> chopped onion. I do like the precut mirepoix (chopped celery, onions,
>> and carrots). I bought a container and froze it in thirds... used it
>> all in two weeks, so it was money well spent.
>
> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
> time management need to be looked at.

I don't think I have ever seen a pre-cut mirepoix but if I did, I also don't
think I would buy it. I tend to buy precut stuff mainly for parties and
things when I am going to someone's place where I know they don't keep a
good kitchen or don't have a complete kitchen. For instance, all of their
knives are dull. And then I would likely only do it if I had to stop and
buy something on the way there. Like when my dad called me and said that he
forgot the onion and tomato for the burgers and could I pick up some sliced
ones. So I did.

I would never buy stuff like this in advance and perhaps only if I were
super pressed for time. I can't really imagine such a scenario because
usually I would have to cook some meat or something as well. I have bought
bell peppers cut in strips at Target when they had no other form of bell
peppers in stock.

Often, I will prep things either earlier in the day or the day before. I
made vegetable soup for dinner yesterday and I cut up all but the potatoes
the day before. Did not take me long at all to cut up 4 small red potatoes.

I do try to think things out in advance. This is not so much an issue when
my husband isn't here at dinner time but sure as shooting, the minute I
walked in the door, he was asking what was for dinner. It was 5:00 then.
All I had to do was plop the veggies in the pot, add potatoes, canned corn
and peas, seasonings and V8. Then season the chicken, put it in the pan and
start the rice. Perhaps 23 minutes from start to finish.

When I was working, I do remember buying some sort of soup mix that cooked
quickly. It was sold with the Jewish food. Had lentils, peas, perhaps
little pasta in it and I think some dried veggies. I may have had to add
something besides water. I can't remember. But it was super quick to make.
And it really impressed my roommate who wasn't paying attention and somehow
thought I had bought all of those ingredients separately.

On Thu, 24 Jul 2014 00:44:07 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

> I don't think I have ever seen a pre-cut mirepoix but if I did, I also don't
> think I would buy it.

You wouldn't buy that, but you always buy precut apples. Huh.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 24 Jul 2014 00:44:07 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > wrote:
>
>> I don't think I have ever seen a pre-cut mirepoix but if I did, I also
>> don't
>> think I would buy it.
>
> You wouldn't buy that, but you always buy precut apples. Huh.

Not the same thing at all. The apples are packaged in individual packages
so that one can be grabbed on the way out the door or tossed in a lunch bag.

In article >, says...
>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Thu, 24 Jul 2014 00:44:07 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> I don't think I have ever seen a pre-cut mirepoix but if I did, I also
> >> don't
> >> think I would buy it.
> >
> > You wouldn't buy that, but you always buy precut apples. Huh.
>
> Not the same thing at all. The apples are packaged in individual packages
> so that one can be grabbed on the way out the door or tossed in a lunch bag.

You meAN, LIKE YOU COULD WITH A WHOLE APPLE?

Don't Boves have teeth, to eat an UNSLICED apple the normal way?

Janet UK

"janet" > wrote in message
...
> In article >, says...
>>
>> "sf" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > On Thu, 24 Jul 2014 00:44:07 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>> > > wrote:
>> >
>> >> I don't think I have ever seen a pre-cut mirepoix but if I did, I also
>> >> don't
>> >> think I would buy it.
>> >
>> > You wouldn't buy that, but you always buy precut apples. Huh.
>>
>> Not the same thing at all. The apples are packaged in individual
>> packages
>> so that one can be grabbed on the way out the door or tossed in a lunch
>> bag.
>
> You meAN, LIKE YOU COULD WITH A WHOLE APPLE?
>
> Don't Boves have teeth, to eat an UNSLICED apple the normal way?
>
> Janet UK

OMG! We have been through this before. If you eat a whole apple on the go,
there is a core to dispose of. Who wants to lug a core back home with them?
Because here, that is what you would have to do, unless you could find a
food recycle bin somewhere and those are few and far between.

I have teeth that are very close together. If I bite into an apple, the
peel sticks in there. I happen to like the peel. If I eat sliced apples,
the peel doesn't stick because I am biting into it from a different angle.

But bottom line, we like the damned things so why is this a problem for you?

On Wednesday, July 23, 2014 5:42:18 PM UTC-4, Pete C. wrote:
> sf wrote:
>
> >
>
> > On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:16:56 -0500, Ema Nymton >
>
> > wrote:
>
> >
>
> > > On 7/23/2014 8:44 AM, Pete C. wrote:
>
> > >
>
> > > > People who are "too tired to cook" and thus eat prepared junk food are
>
> > > > tired *because* they eat prepared junk food. Stop eating crap and you'll
>
> > > > have the energy to cook real food. Also get rid of the TV, it is a truly
>
> > > > incredible time waster.
>
> > >
>
> > > You may be exactly right about some people.
>
> > >
>
> > > The OP said, "Working full time puts a crimp in my creative cooking
>
> > > cause I'm usually too pooped to mess with a lot of prep or complicated
>
> > > dishes when I get home. I do most of my cooking on the weekends and then
>
> > > have that through the week." She did not mention junk food.
>
> > >
>
> > Trader Joe's and most grocery stores sell pre chopped/shredded items
>
> > these days. They are a wonderful time saver for people like the OP. I
>
> > like them too, but I tend to buy the bags of prewashed lettuce and
>
> > things like precut broccoli florets rather than carrot sticks or
>
> > chopped onion. I do like the precut mirepoix (chopped celery, onions,
>
> > and carrots). I bought a container and froze it in thirds... used it
>
> > all in two weeks, so it was money well spent.
>
>
>
> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
>
> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
>
> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
>
> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
>
> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
>
> time management need to be looked at.

I passed up watermelon all chunked up for 1.99 a lb. and bought a one-piece wedge for .49 a lb. Took me about 5 minutes to chunk up myself. They sure do get ya on the labor.

On Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:11:59 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
> wrote:

> I passed up watermelon all chunked up for 1.99 a lb. and bought a one-piece wedge for .49 a lb. Took me about 5 minutes to chunk up myself. They sure do get ya on the labor.

But you were stuck with an entire watermelon.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:11:59 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
> > wrote:
>
>> I passed up watermelon all chunked up for 1.99 a lb. and bought a
>> one-piece wedge for .49 a lb. Took me about 5 minutes to chunk up
>> myself. They sure do get ya on the labor.
>
> But you were stuck with an entire watermelon.

How? When they bought only a wedge.

On Sat, 26 Jul 2014 02:36:17 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>
> "sf" > wrote in message
> ...
> > On Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:11:59 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
> > > wrote:
> >
> >> I passed up watermelon all chunked up for 1.99 a lb. and bought a
> >> one-piece wedge for .49 a lb. Took me about 5 minutes to chunk up
> >> myself. They sure do get ya on the labor.
> >
> > But you were stuck with an entire watermelon.
>
> How? When they bought only a wedge.

Big whoop about a wedge.

--
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

On Friday, July 25, 2014 5:33:47 PM UTC-4, sf wrote:
> On Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:11:59 -0700 (PDT), Kalmia
>
> > wrote:
>
>
>
> > I passed up watermelon all chunked up for 1.99 a lb. and bought a one-piece wedge for .49 a lb. Took me about 5 minutes to chunk up myself. They sure do get ya on the labor.
>
>
>
> But you were stuck with an entire watermelon.

I said... a one-piece WEDGE. It's already been eaten - so is that tantamount to "stuck"?

"Kalmia" > wrote in message
...
> On Wednesday, July 23, 2014 5:42:18 PM UTC-4, Pete C. wrote:
>> sf wrote:
>>
>> >
>>
>> > On Wed, 23 Jul 2014 13:16:56 -0500, Ema Nymton >
>>
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >
>>
>> > > On 7/23/2014 8:44 AM, Pete C. wrote:
>>
>> > >
>>
>> > > > People who are "too tired to cook" and thus eat prepared junk food
>> > > > are
>>
>> > > > tired *because* they eat prepared junk food. Stop eating crap and
>> > > > you'll
>>
>> > > > have the energy to cook real food. Also get rid of the TV, it is a
>> > > > truly
>>
>> > > > incredible time waster.
>>
>> > >
>>
>> > > You may be exactly right about some people.
>>
>> > >
>>
>> > > The OP said, "Working full time puts a crimp in my creative cooking
>>
>> > > cause I'm usually too pooped to mess with a lot of prep or
>> > > complicated
>>
>> > > dishes when I get home. I do most of my cooking on the weekends and
>> > > then
>>
>> > > have that through the week." She did not mention junk food.
>>
>> > >
>>
>> > Trader Joe's and most grocery stores sell pre chopped/shredded items
>>
>> > these days. They are a wonderful time saver for people like the OP. I
>>
>> > like them too, but I tend to buy the bags of prewashed lettuce and
>>
>> > things like precut broccoli florets rather than carrot sticks or
>>
>> > chopped onion. I do like the precut mirepoix (chopped celery, onions,
>>
>> > and carrots). I bought a container and froze it in thirds... used it
>>
>> > all in two weeks, so it was money well spent.
>>
>>
>>
>> Honestly, how much time does the pre-cut stuff actually save you? I know
>>
>> I can chop up a mirepoix in about 3 minutes max. I think it's really
>>
>> more of a way to profit from people's claims of being "too busy to cook"
>>
>> than anything else. If perhaps 5-6 minutes makes the difference between
>>
>> being able to cook and being too busy to cook, I think priorities and
>>
>> time management need to be looked at.
>
> I passed up watermelon all chunked up for 1.99 a lb. and bought a
> one-piece wedge for .49 a lb. Took me about 5 minutes to chunk up myself.
> They sure do get ya on the labor.

I will not buy the wedge again. I only did because they had no chunks. The
wedge sat in the fridge for several days. And then when I came home, I
found the rind of it sitting in a pool of sticky watermelon juice on my
wooden pull out cutting board. So... Never again.

Julie Bove wrote:
>
> I will not buy the wedge again. I only did because they had no chunks. The
> wedge sat in the fridge for several days. And then when I came home, I
> found the rind of it sitting in a pool of sticky watermelon juice on my
> wooden pull out cutting board. So... Never again.

This story gets better all the time! :-D

G.