Ways to Save on Organics #2 - Treat Ingredients Like Gold

Have you ever been guilty of purchasing ingredients for a specific recipe and then finding yourself throwing out what is left over?

Well, to eat organically for less, you'll need to treat your ingredients like gold and save your leftover portions for future recipes!

For example, today I made cabbage soup.  Two basic soup starters are onions and celery, which aren't terribly expensive even if they are organic.  However, they become even less expensive if you use every little bit.  For example, I cut the large onion in half, whirred it in the food processor, and used half for my soup, put the other half in a freezer baggie and popped in freezer to save for another recipe.

Celery isn't something I use that often and rarely use the whole package.  Rather than putting it back in the refrigerator to get bendy and brown in a few days, I process three stalks at a time in the food processor and portion them into freezer baggies for future soup, stuffing, or other recipes.  I also make a few mini portions to be used as a mix-in for tuna salad sandwiches.  In the dead of winter, fresh celery brightens up bland tuna, and you can mix it in right out of the freezer.  Just wait a little bit to eat the tuna salad, and the flavors are melded perfectly.

Tomato paste is one additional soup flavor enhancer. I usually get four separate freezer servings out of a can, always ready to add to soup or to top a homemade pizza.  Organic paste in can or bottle can be between $2 to $3, but when you break it down into 50-cent portions, organic is very worth it!  Same with celery, only about $3 a bunch, but after making 5 freezer portions, it's downright frugal!

The bonus is that you've put time into making the portions already, so they are ready for the next few recipes -- less mess, time, and money overall.

What other organic ingredients do I portion and freeze?

-Cans of coconut milk -- 4 to 5 servings per can for baking
-Parmeseano Reggiano hard cheese shredded
-Feta cheese in chunks
-Red onion to top pizza -- cut in half, slice and just pop the other half in freezer baggie.  The frozen half will be easier to slice thin to top your next pizza, but will add a little more moisture unless you set it on a paper towel for a bit.
-Pizza or pasta sauce from a jar for pizza toppings - about 4-5 portions packed in glass containers
-bags of shredded organic cheeses when on sale

There's really no limit to what you can portion and save for recipes.  I have a small refrigerator with a basic freezer on top.  The beauty of freezing individual portions is that there's always room to tuck a few things in here and there.

If you spend your hard-earned cash on organic foods, remember to treat it like gold.  Go back to the ways our Depression-era ancestors and use every bit of what you buy to save money and eat well!



Photos from Once a Month Meals, because they are prettier than mine.  I haven't gotten to the point making whole meals for my freezer, but maybe someday!