Comments on: Getting Some Deals, $5 Dinners and Making Salad for the Week

By: Kris in JP

Kris in JP — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:59:40 +0000

Also, if you are doing what Andrea K is doing in the previous comment, you can take a straw and suck out the last bit of air – air damages lettuce- before sealing it up.

That is compliments of a cooking show, the name of which I cannot remember.

By: emmi

emmi — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:45:29 +0000

I second MV’s paper towel. I just take the veges out of the plastic at the grocery, wrap them in the towel (old dish cloth works too if you are feeling reusable), at a few drops from the tap if it’s something leafy, put them back in, and close the bag with some extra air inside to keep the contents from getting crushed. 2 weeks is typical for things packed this way. We also buy the live hydroponic lettuce which his grown locally here in upstate all four seasons. With a few drops of water added regularly and propped upright on the top shelf where it is a little warmer, those go a loooong time.

My favorite cheap meal is green split peas, bought in bulk and cooked into a thick soup with a little bacon and onion. That’s about 30 cents a serving. Filling as heck too.

By: Andrea Klein

Andrea Klein — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 12:09:19 +0000

Another lettuce method-
cover with water in sink so lettuce can absorb some moisture a few minutes. Run through salad spinner so dry. Put in freezer bag, almost close it and squeeze all the air out. Finish sealing. Lasts an amazingly long time. Works for other vegetables too.

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:54:43 +0000

Gotta Love five dollar dinners! Thanks for the info.

By: mv

mv — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:48:53 +0000

How I keep vegetables lasting longer than 1/2 – 1 wk: wrap them in plain paper towels before putting in the plastic bag (or container). If they’re not water-hogging veggies (i.e. bell peppers) I wash & dry them first. If the paper towel gets too moist, replace it. I’ve had bell peppers, lettuce (unwashed), cucumbers, celery, you name it, last at least 2 weeks (celery longer). I’ve personally never tried the green bags, thought about it, but paper towels are cheaper, I already buy them, and they’re bio-degradable/compostable. I buy the smaller size square paper towels (boy how the regular size has gotten bigger) and they last longer, of course, I’ve started using kitchen towels more often now, too. Yes, they get dirty, but I already am doing laundry…and extra towel or two aren’t going to add to the laundry expenses.

@LA: I heard of those containers from my sister. She said asparagus & the like last much longer in it, so I bought one to try. It’s rather bulky, which I don’t care for. The only thing I’ve used it for is to store avocados – they do last longer when using that container and doesn’t ripen as quickly, and since avocados are rather delicate to bruising, keeps them from getting banged around.

By: danielle

danielle — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:31:28 +0000

Thanks for linking to my post. Wow, that’s the most traffic I’ve ever gotten! Anyway, the trick to using coupons is to find out who does double and triple, and go there, and whenever possible, combine them with sales.

I’ve gotten things for free this way, but the Worcestershire sauce from yesterday was the only thing I ever made money off of. And, we use it quite a bit here, because I marinade red onions in it before putting them in pico de gallo.

By: KDB

KDB — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:41:34 +0000

nice find on the 5 dollar dinners! I’ll be spending some time there to add to my list of “cheap” eats. Thanks!

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:15:48 +0000

I second the “green bags” from tv. I can keep bananas from turning brown for up to 10 days. I’ve got a head of lettuce in the fridge that is almost 21 days old and looks like I bought it yesterday. Peppers and onions too. I’ve got grapes right now in my fridge that I bought almost 2 weeks ago. They are all still fresh.

By: Tricia

Tricia — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:15:44 +0000

George – I have caught those bags on QVC or HSN (can’t remember which one). They do sound really interesting, but it’s almost like they were too good to be true. Thanks for your input on those!

By: LA

LA — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:57:53 +0000

Re: keeping lettuce fresh– I found a new Rubbermaid product (on the very back shelves next to the school supplies, not in with the other container products— wonder what that’s about?) that’s supposed to help with keeping salads fresh. 2 sizes, single serving and larger, @$5.00. It has a plastic insert that keeps the salad up off the bottom of the container, so if you keep it upright, the moisture goes to the bottom and doesn’t touch the salad. I’m giving it a try— I like to take salads to work and this might be easier than clingwrap and paper towels in that venue.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:46:50 +0000

Hey, thanks Tricia. I’ve been looking for a new best friend anyway

Hope it works out for you!

By: George C.

George C. — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:05:31 +0000

Those “green bags” advertized on tv, (Debbie Myer) work great. I bought mine at Dollar general for $5 and my lettuce lasts at least 10 days.