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Your “Buy-Some-Make-Some” Ideas Could Make you a Winner
I truly enjoy cooking and I get a decent meal on the table pretty quickly most nights of the week, but I’m not too proud to take shortcuts when my time is especially valuable. And, while going the buy-some/make-some route usually-not always!-costs a bit more than completely homemade, it is still a money saver compared to dining out.
So, there are plenty of times when I pick up a rotisserie chicken or pre-cut veggies from the salad bar to help me save time in the kitchen by omitting a few steps in a recipe. What about you? Tell us your tip for using an item from our Prepared Foods department to cut your cooking time and get a meal on the table PDQ. You might win a $100 Whole Foods Market® gift card just in time to help make your holiday meals a little easier, whether you order a complete prepared feast or buy-some/make-some-perhaps starting with a cooked turkey. We’ll draw a winner at random from all the tips we receive by the deadline of November 3rd.
Remember, if you haven’t already, sign up for The Whole Deal e-newsletter. You’ll hear from us a few times each month about in-store specials and money-saving tips…and future contests, too.
Hope you enjoyed “value contest month” on our blog during October. Tune in to our Facebook and Twitter feeds for more weekly contests throughout the holidays.
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I always find I can spend more time focusing on the main dinner item when I can rely on Whole Foods to supply the side dish. A quick addition of rice salad or hummus as a base for a fabulous grilled fish, or edamame salad under spicy shrimp, saves more timer and trouble than it takes to drive to the store.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:02 am
When I have some extra time (which is not too often), I stock up on fruits & veggies that are on sale and then wash and chop them to be frozen for later use, when I’m short on time.
Otherwise, I spend a bit more to buy pre-chopped fruits & veggies at Whole Foods. For a long time I refused to spend anything extra for someone else to do the chopping that I was capable of doing, but then I realized that it was worth my sanity! Plus, I don’t ever throw out unchopped/unused produce now! For that reason, I think buying the pre-chopped goodies actually saves me money!
October 28th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I love the fresh bread from Whole Foods so I pickup a fresh sourdough roll and gut the inside. I get some fresh spiniach dip and presto – all ready for dip for my guest.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:37 am
I have been known to hit the salad bar to put together a quick yummy salad instead of individually purchasing the vegetables. It saves me the time of washing, cutting and chopping!
October 28th, 2009 at 9:38 am
The prepared foods dept can save MAJOR time with hard-to-deal-with veggies like acorn and butternut squash and fruits like pineapple. If you’re like me, and are short on time but love the taste, the extra investment is more than worth it.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I love to use your prepared foods to augment my meals! I buy a few of your items and then make the rest.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:40 am
On weekends we pick, blanch then freeze the veggies from our garden and store in meal-sized portions to use for recipes during the week. Also whenever we buy meat at the store, we’ll separate into meal-sized portions & freeze, usually after marinating for a bit to save time. Then we just put the meat in the fridge the day before we plan to cook it & it’s ready to go!
October 28th, 2009 at 9:41 am
I don’t cook a lot but when I do I organize my meal planning based on what needs to be cooked first, or prepared first. If there are ingredients in two dishes I prepare those at the same time.
Also, I make a lot of my own green juice and to save time I precut a lot of the veggies and fruit and store them in plastic containers. That way it is quick and easy to pop them in the blender.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I like to prep in advance, especially at Thanksgiving. I’ll chop all my veggies the day before and store them in the fridge in quart containers. Even the potatoes will be chopped and covered in cold water and the whole thing goes into the fridge so the morning of, I’m ready to go!
October 28th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I buy a bunch of hamburger at once and then split it up into 1 pound chunks, put them in individual baggies, and then put them in the deep freeze for later. It is great because I just have to grab one bag for most recipes and it takes less time to thaw. Another way to cut time is to cook the meat before freezing it.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I usually hit the prepared sides/pasta salads for short cuts. They are super tasty, and go well with any meat so easy to have people over for an impromptu dinner
October 28th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I always put extra chicken parts (legs, thighs, wings ) with minimal seasoning (Kosher salt, pepper, rosemary) in the oven when I’m roasting something. Now I have a head start and when there are left over vegetables from another meal, I can just have a heat and eat dinner.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I have a great chicken enchallada recipe. To save time, I started using the Whole Food’s rotisserie chicken which I shred by hand. I mix it with sour cream and shredded cheese, then I roll them up in whole wheat tortillas, and cover the entire thing with premade fresh salsa and more shredded cheese. My husband loves it and I don’t have to spend the day cooking chicken and dicing up onions, herbs and tomatoes!
October 28th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I love buying your grilled chicken breasts in the winter. I slice them down the middle and stuff with toasted pecans, dried cranberries and goat cheese, then warm in the oven for 10 minutes.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I go to the Whole Foods, stir fry and shi ka bobs section, to buy pre-cut up squash, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc.. I am also a big fan of the “pre made” packs, which can have anything from veggie mix, to fajitas etc.. I also love the salad bar, hot food bar, and precut cheese you have to offer. I can almost always find what I am looking for already prepped at whole foods. Top that with a trash bowl, and getting everything out before I start, and I can cut my prep time in thirds.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:45 am
the naked rotisserie chickens are the best! i use it to make stock, soups, salads, sandwiches and also add it to pasta.
i also save time in the kitchen by prepping my food and doing most of my cooking in the AM while i’m already in there making lunch and breakfast. this helps me always have something to pack for lunch and ensures that i won’t have to cook in the evening.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I love buying your premade soups off of the soup bar and then adding pieces of leftover cooked chicken breast or shrimp to it. It makes the soup a heartier meal and I don’t throw out my leftovers. Add a baguette and a little bit of salad greens from the salad bar and we have a wonderful, healthy dinner in no time flat.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Buy chicken breasts in bulk/on sale and cook with just olive oil, salt & pepper. Let them cool, remove from bone. I now have cooked chicken ready for soups, tacos, sandwiches, salads, whatever. Or I just freeze it and use as needed
October 28th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Rotisserie chicken makes a quick dinner with a salad and steamed broccoli. also leftover chicken is turned into chicken salad or chicken ceasar for lunch the next day. also, LOVE the roasted root veggies or cilantro lime rice for a side with grilled fish
October 28th, 2009 at 9:49 am
My family & I are usually always busy running around from school to work and various places. We never stop. But dinner is a time when we actually get to take a break and sit together for a nice meal. Because my parents are busy, preparing an entirely homemade meal is just not possible if we want to eat by 5:00/6:00. So to help make the meal a little easier, my mom or dad, or whoever is free, will drop by whole foods and pick up something for a main dish. This isn’t something we do every night, but it’s something we do often. We’ve had pizza, chicken, lasagna, tamales, sandwiches, burritos, and so many other things. With this, we usually end up getting a side if we don’t already have it to prepare at home. Not only is this the perfect way to get a meal prepared in half the time or less, but were all able to spend less time preparing and with one another, to then continue on in our busy lives and have been able to spend valuable time together as well as enjoying our meal.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I used A LOT of onion and garlic in a week, so I tend to buy quite a few onions at a time and I chop them up and keep in the fridge, sometime pre-measured out in 1 cup and 1/2 cup servings. I have also been known to buy the pre-minced garlic in the glass jars, but I always feel guilty about doing this and, honestly, it just doesn’t taste as good as fresh garlic.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:50 am
If I have time on a Saturday or Sunday I will meal plan for the week. I may even cook some of my meals to start the week off. I will also chop up ingredients I will need for the week, so when the time comes I have it already prepped and save time the day of.
Also, if we are going somewhere and I bring a veggie tray, I usually get all my veggies, already chopped and washed from the salad bar. I can customize my tray and I am good to go. Although it costs a little more to do then making myself, it saves a ton of time, plus it’s still less expensive than buying a pre-made veggie tray.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I chop veggies as soon as I come home from the grocery store so they’re already prepped and ready to go when I am. Makes it really easy to grab a healthy snack of carrots or broccoli. I know a lot of people dont’ have time to do that, but since I know I do, it’s something easy I can do to save some money – pre-chopped veggies are expensive! But, I have been known to pick them up when I’m short on time too.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:51 am
One way that I save time when cooking is by cleaning up as I go.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I stumbled upon a tip when Hatch peppers were in season to coursley chop them and put them into ice cube trays! Eureka! However, the only trays I could come upon were for water bottles…long thin cubes. THEY ARE PERFECT for freezing stuff because you can break it in half easily! Trader Joes sells little tsp containers of garlic and basil. WOO HOO!! I now either buy garlic in bulk and crush in the food processor then put in my bottle cube trays! WHAT a time saver and my garlic is always ‘good’!! I use more too! And THAT’S not a bad thing! : )
October 28th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Usually, me and a few friends will go to the prepared section and split up items to buy. Kinda of like a pot luck dinner, without the entire cooking time. It’s good for us to make time for the occassional dinner, especially with such hectic schedules.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I love to make omelets for dinner, and they take about ten minutes to whip up with the help of my trusty food processor. We throw big chunks of cilantro, dill, onion, garlic, and anything else we have laying around (chicken, ham, etc.) into a food processor. The processor quickly turns the big bits into an omelet friendly size, and all I’ve got to do is whisk while the pan heats up. Toss in a few bits of cheese and we’ve got ourselves a tasty dinner. The whole foods extra large eggs make excellent omelets, very fluffy and about twice the size of an omelet I’d get from standard white eggs.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:56 am
When I’m in a rush, I’ll get one of your rotisserie chickens from the Prepared Foods area and shred it when I get home. Tacos, sandwiches and salads for four days! Then I take the leftover bones and make a chicken stock out of it which will last even longer. This cuts hours off my normal chicken routine, and the results are fantastic.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:00 am
I like to get some Indian food from the prepared section and take it home and make some rice and naan. But my absolute favorite thing to get is the sushi at wholefoods – almost every time I go I pick up a roll for a snack or quick meal. Love it!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Rice goes with lots of great stuff, but unless you have a ricemaker or a whole lot of time and patience- it can get ugly trying to make the stuff. I always stop off @ Whole foods to pick up some rice for my fabulous dinners. It is always better than my make-on-top-of-the-stove-and-burn-on-the-bottom instant rice and people usually think I made it myself with a rice maker (shh!). All of the sudden that curry dish or that stir fry I made is actually good! Plus I just shaved tons of time off of my dinner prep (first you have to get the pot, then the water, then you cook it, then you check to make sure it isn’t burning, then you have to clean the crusty pot)and cleanup too. I heart whole foods rice!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:05 am
As soon as I get home from Whole Foods I take all my veggies and other ingredients and get them cleaned sliced,diced and ready to go. It’s much faster to do all at once then do every single meal. That way it’s super easy to cook dinner or grab a healthy snack. I found this works great,especially with getting the kids involved with making healthier choices and helping with meals. It also makes making dinner less of a drain for me and more time to spend doing things I want to do!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:05 am
One of my best ways to save time is pre-prep. This applies to everything from when I bring the groceries home to when I cook my meals. When I come home with my groceries, I find that it saves time in the long-run if I go ahead and prep my fresh fruits and vegetables for however I want to cook or eat them, such as chopping, slicing or peeling. I then place them into tupperware containers so they are easy to access when I need them. When I’m actually cooking, I find that if I do my prep work before I start the physical act of cooking on the stove or in the oven, everything comes together more smoothly.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Planning ahead is the biggest time-saver we’ve found and it also helps us eat healthy. We plan out meals ahead of time and then go to the store to buy the ingredients. It’s nice to not have the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” question pop up. You go home, make your meal, and life is good!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I love the Whole Foods butternut crab bisque. It makes a great dinner, especially in one of the WF sourdough bread bowls. Sometimes I’ll make my own salad, or get one of the prepackaged WF ones if I’m feeling super busy.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:07 am
One pot cooking. I’m a vegetarian so I take handfuls of different veggies and chop them all up one at a time on the same cutting board. I chop the longer cooking veggies first so I can just add them as I go. Once they’re all in and cooking I pop a lid on it and clean up. Seasonings and extras like cheese can be added any time.
Same can be done with meat lovers, just use a separate cutting board for the meat (and probably sear the meat in the pan before adding any veggies for contamination purposes)
October 28th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Homemade sushi for lunch with anything possible as the filling is time efficient. Making a big batch of sushi rice lasts a whole week and its also healthy and delicious.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Ooops! Just saw the entire blog question! Sorry!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I use my slow cooker! When I know I have a long day ahead, I’ll run by WFM, grabs a raw rotisserie chicken, fresh veggies, and some chicken stock. Put in in the slow cooker, come home from work, and dinner is served!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I buy things like sides (rice, veggies) from prepared foods and then put that with an herb rotissery chicken at least once a week for dinner. Always a big hit. I like the rosemary potatoes a lot. When I have guest over I buy the olives, beans, etc from the olive bar and serve those before a meal.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:13 am
I put little hands to work! My daughter is 4 and really likes to help in the kitchen. I took the time to figure out what she really can do to help. There are lots of things besides chopping that can cut my time in the kitchen in half. One of the things she really likes to do is clean up any messes! What a help when she takes a dish towel to the counter after I mix things up. She is also a pretty good little dish washer!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:14 am
my go-to item is canned black beans…i usually rinse them before adding them to a meal and use them often as a great source of protein and fiber. A brilliant multitude of recipes can be created using black beans…and having them “pre-cooked” takes out alot of the rinsing/cooking time!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:20 am
To help save time, I usually pick up my sides and deserts from the pre-made section. Already made coleslaw, rice, greek salad and steamed veggies cut my process in half! And the little pies/cakes/heaven WF creates are the perfect size for my boyfriend and I to share at the end of a long work day.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:20 am
I had unexpected guests staying with me on a Friday night, we had planned for an easy dinner out, but I thought…What am I going to do for breakfast?! After dinner I stopped in to my local Napa Whole Foods and grabbed some roasted veggies from the prepared food area, scooped up some fresh Parmesan cheese and eggs. Voila! My roasted veggie frittata was born! So easy to make with simple ingredients, healthy and filling. Great way to start the morning in the Napa Valley and we were off to take our guests wine tasting.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:24 am
I open cans– (low salt, possibly organic, if my budget allows) — I throw the contents into a big pot — I add olive oil garlic, spices, rice and lentils, I put the gas on low, I set the timer — I get outta the kitchen in record time, and do other stuff (pet the cats, sit on the terrace, get on my puter).. Then…DING!! OK!! Chow time!!! (yum!)
October 28th, 2009 at 10:28 am
For baby food, when making it fresh, if you make a lot and then put the extra in an ice cube try and freeze it. You have perfectly portioned servingsg of fresh, homemade baby food! Easy to pop out and take to go, as it is cold.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:28 am
I make chicken stock (concentrated) and freeze in icecube trays and once they’re solid frozen, I transfer them in a tupperware and keep them in the freezer. I use the individual cubes whenever the recipe calls for chicken stock. Especially Asian noodle bowls which I love. I also freeze cut up chicken meat in small portions. This saves time quite a bit.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I love to pick up a rotisserie chicken and make chicken salad.. saves me time and adds great flavor!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I always clean and wash dishes/utensils/pots/pans as I go…I never have a HUGE mess at the end
I also prepare as much as possible in advance!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:35 am
I use the rotisserie chicken for most of my chicken recipes. That one step saves so much time!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:36 am
The best way my bf and I save time is that after we go grocery shopping, right when we get home, we rinse and cut all of our produce. That way, when we want to use it for a meal later on, it’s already prepped and ready to go!
Saves money by buying things “unpackaged,” saves time, and makes for some good bonding over lettuce chopping or carrot peeling!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:36 am
My 9 tray excalibur dehydrator. I spend 1 day a week dehydrating. We all know the raw diet can be time consuming and tricky. Especially when you are preparing for a family. I load up my 9 tray excalibur with bread batter, meatless meatballs, veggie burgers, crackers, granola, muffins, etc. Dehydrate for 8-24 hrs. Voila I have our meals for the week!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Whole Foods salsa fresca is a favorite timesaver of mine! It’s perfect as an addition to salads, or over fish or chicken, and I never need to worry about adding seasoning when I use it. I’ll mix in veggies and beans to add nutrients. Plus it’s low calorie!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:36 am
What I try and do is alittle pre-prep work on the weekend, especially in the summer when its so hot out. I will bake (sometimes bbq) some free range chicken and pasta and make a great pasta salad (carrots, celery, fresh dill, etc). This way we can have it as a side dish, taken in a lunch, or you can make a sandwich with it. Yummy!
We usually top it up with some homemade ice tea made from organic black tea!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:36 am
We absolutely love Whole Foods! We find that the fruits and vegetables are so fresh, they last longer. When we come home from shopping, we chop and clean everything and it really saves time throughout the week!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I totally love your salad bar. It’s so easy to through a large salad together to compliment a good home cooked meal, and there is no chopping, washing, drying etc to deal with!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Plan one hour a week to wash and chop all the vegetables I just bought from your beautiful produce department. All I have to do at dinner time is grab clean vegetables and serve in a raw salad, steam, or roast.
Favorite Prepared Food: handmade pizza for $8.99. We just add a fresh salad. The BEST deal around, better than ANY take out pizza joint. We never “order” pizza anymore!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:40 am
When entertaining, I buy pre-made appetizers and spreads from the Prepared Foods department. (My favorite is the artichoke dip and tortilla chips). This way if guests come really hungry, they can have something to snack on while waiting for the main course. I don’t feel so rushed to get dinner on the table and we all get time to chat pre-dinner. The bonus is everyone thinks I made all the goodies myself!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I`m a big advocate of freezer meals. For example, I`ll either find a day where I have a big chunk of time and go ahead and assemble a few meals (in proper portion sizes) to stick in the freezer. I also pre-chop all my vegetables for the weeks ahead. I`m a big fan of the Whole Foods Hot Bar, so I`ll often stop in and pick up a few items for sides.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:42 am
To make cooking in the kitchen more convenient – and faster – I often pick up a pre-cooked chicken. Perfect with some veggies the first night, on top of a salad for lunch, and then use the rest to make some hearty soup – great for a fall day like today!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:47 am
ok pre cut food for recipe place it in frig in mornig bring it out and start going on meal and get it done faster and one time
October 28th, 2009 at 10:48 am
I am a HUGE fan of the rotisserie chicken. One night we have roasted chicken with fresh veggies and mashed potatoes, with the left overs I shred the chicken and make enchilada’s. I can save time on two dinners with your chickens, and being a mom with very active 7 year old twins, I need to save time anywhere I can. Thank you Whole Foods for helping me keep my family eating healthy!
October 28th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Since I principally cook Cuban foods in my home, and these require chopping onions and peppers for each dish, I put chunks of onion and pepper in my mini food processor, and grind them once a week. I put them in a glass jar in the fridge and put a tiny bit of olive oil in it. When I need my freshly cut onions and peppers for whatever dish I am cooking, they are there, and they keep quite well. By the way, I started doing this, the grinding up of the onions and peppers as my mother would not eat anything where she could find the bits of onions and peppers. It is handy for kids as well, who might not eat it if they can see it.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I will pick up a whole pie from the pizza counter and then make a nice salad to accompany the pizza.
October 28th, 2009 at 10:56 am
I plan about four meals for the week in advance and go to Whole Foods to buy all the protein, starch and veggies for these meals. I will bring everything home and clean all the protein and freeze what I won’t use the for the first two meals. I then clean all the produce so it is ready to go. I love Whole Food’s 365 brand brown rice, Near East Rice Pilaf and the Alexia frozen mashed potatoes for side dishes. With all this stocked up I get to be a little more flexible about what we are going to have and mix and match the proteins, veggies and starches depending on our mood that night! Then night 5 can be what we fondly refer to as “Week In Review” where we bring out the leftovers and have our own potluck dinner!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:05 am
On Sundays I cook up a huge batch of beans. Normally, I make chickpeas, black beans, red beans, and pintos. Then I have them all ready to for the week. YUMMY BEANS!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I love to buy the prepared chicken. So easy to toss with pasta and olive oil and then add some of the roasted veggies. Dinner on the table in about 15 minutes and healthy to boot.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:12 am
The fresh made salsa at my Whole Foods is a saviour. I simply pour a container of it over two large boneless skinless chicken breasts in a glass baking dish, pop it in the oven at 350F, and within 30 to 35 minutes, I have perfectly cooked, tender chicken with salsa sauce to serve over brown rice with a side of steamed veggies (pre-cut broccoli if I am really shortcutting it!). A great meal that is also gluten-free and food allergy-friendly!
This can also be made in the crockpot. Top the chicken with the salsa in your slow cooker, and fire on low for several hours.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Can’t believe no one said this yet: when cooking brown rice, make extra and freeze in quart freezer bags.
Then when you want a quick meal, micro or steam rice, heat a can of your favorite beans (black, pinto, edamame, or black eyed peas are great). Make a big pile: rice, beans, cheese, garnished with any or all of the following: salsa, cherry toms halved, cilantro, pepitas, sliced olives, hot sauce, avocado…. It’s all about good garnishes. All-in-one meal!
Also I chop an extra onion or two and store in freezer bags in freezer. Always ready!
I can’t afford to hit the prepared food section at WF so I plan by making Planned-overs! If you have a plan for the week there’s no last minute “we’re starving” scramble. And three or four slow cooker meals are great to rotate weekly in fall and winter! In summer, grill it!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Stay organized! Write out a meal plan that itemizes the prep for a big meal to a few days ahead, one day before, 3-1 hours prior, etc, and get as much done ahead of time as possible. If the recipe allows, it also helps to measure your ingredients out ahead of time so that you can add everything all at once.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:23 am
I know a filling, nourishing breakfast is ideal, but it is tough to find time. I buy the WF premade salads (shrimp, turkey, salmon & dill etc) and have a pot in the fridge – I chuck it in my omelet every morning, so I get some extra protein and flavour. The variety means I don’t get bored, and its breakfast ready in 5 mins for me!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:26 am
I always buy larger packages of meat, and then divide and freeze for quick defrosts during the week, but a great trick that I use for sauces is to make more than I need, then freeze them in ice cube trays, then bag the “sauce blocks”. Then I just add as needed to a dish I am making later on, and it still tastes great! Also, the pre cut veggies are a lifesaver on weeknights for a quick stirfry! I have found frozen rice in the freezer section, and that comes out perfect in soups!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:28 am
I use a pressure cooker whenever possible. It can save tons of times (i.e. Risotto in five minutes)!
Also, I tend to use prepackaged sauces (i.e. stirfry sauce) instead of making my own, and will occasionally use canned beans instead of homemade, etc.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:30 am
The rotisserie chicken or turkey breast is something that always saves me a lot of time throughout the entire week. I live alone and at first thought that a rotisserie chicken was too much for me. On the contrary. Purchase a rotisserie chicken on Sunday and have a nice chicken and rice dinner with roasted brocolli. I get the frozen brown rice (cooks in 3 minutes) and the pre-cut brocolli (through on cookie sheet with salt and pepper and roast for 9 minutes). Great dinner in less than 10 minutes. Then with the leftovers I make dinner on Monday that is a chicken burritto with the leftover chicken and rice, throw in some beans, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and salsa! Tuesday it is chicken and pasta with a can of diced tomatoes, garlic (purchased pre chopped), pine nuts and basil! It we have leftovers on Wednesday, chicken salad or green salad with chicken. On Thursday, take some store bought organic chicken stock and add the chicken with any veggies I might have and make a quick soup. It’s the rotisserie chicken that keeps going and going!!!! Very economical and quick!!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:30 am
i try to find easy ways to cook different types of food, putting things in the oven or slow cooker saves alot of time. then you can work on other things while somethings cooking.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:41 am
For a quick, tasty, and healthy dinner (that won’t break the bank) I pick up small amounts of Whole Foods Prepared Salads and use these flavorful spoonfuls to perk up bigger salads made with fresh veggies, lettuce, and homegrown herbs. It’s the best of both worlds because the prepared salads go a long way in flavorville but I don’t have to buy pounds of the pre-made goodies to make a complete meal.
Love you, Whole Foods:)
October 28th, 2009 at 11:42 am
I will often supplement my meals with soups from the soup bar. Soups are really nutritious, but they take a lot of prep work. By buying soup at Whole Foods I can focus on my main dish.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I buy meat in bulk and split it into several ziploc bags. I also marinate some of them before I freeze them to save me some time later.
I also try to buy pre-cut veggies that are time consuming to prepare, like butternut squash.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Love the vegan options in the prepared foods! I’ll pick up a main course item and supplement with veggies, salad or grain at home. Love the “chicken” used in the “mock” chicken salad and stock up when the nuggets are available! They are great for stir-frys, sandwiches, soups, etc. Thanks Whole Foods for providing great vegan foods!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:52 am
I use the frozen organic brown rice and just add fresh sauteed tomatoes in garlic and olive oil, some fresh fish and your done!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I try to preview my menu for the week and have everything close together in my cabinet. When I get home from Whole Foods I place things that I need near each other for each dish. Because, I have the most time after shopping.
To save time in buying and pre-portioning frozen vegetables. It also helps to have a section of the refrigerator for defrosting frozen meats. When I take one out I replace it with the next nights meals.
Above all organization is the key!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:59 am
It’s not shameful to buy frozen/refrigerated pie dough, and I do to speed along my pie preparations. Buying pre-chopped and prepared vegetables and salad from Whole Foods goes a long way towards shortening my overall meal preparation time so I can spend more time with my family, which is what the holiday is all about!
Another thing I do to save money and time later is when I am preparing veggies for cooking every day, I wash everything before peeling, etc and throw the ends and peelings into a bag in the freezer. A few times a year I pull out all of my bags and make my own broth. It saves me money, and since I can freeze it in sizes that I use, when I need broth I pull out as much as I need for the meal, so no leftover broth to deal with saves me clean up and storage time too!
October 28th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Cooking? what’s that – with whole foods hotbar handy…haha
A great shortcut is buying prepeeled garlic – Maybe it’s just me but I find dealing with garlic such a hassle & smelly so no longer buy the heads -
October 28th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I chop lots of onion and celery, and freeze them. When it’s time to cook, I just take out what I need for that meal.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I buy bagged greens. It is just so much easier and quicker than chopping, scrubbing and washing. I also use my electric pressure cooker. I throw in beans or rice (that I buy in bulk) and let it cook while I do whatever and it beeps telling me it’s done, no need to watch it and I don’t even need to soak the beans ahead of time. It is the ultimate time shortcut!
October 28th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I usually save time in the kitchen by getting the hot stuff started, things that need to be boiled, steamed or baked for any length of time, then setting up my work station for the other dinner items. For example when I make chicken cutlets and mashed potatoes, I put the potatoes on to boil then prepare the chicken for frying. The potatoes and chicken are then finished around the same time. Also while the chicken is cooking, I put my salad items together so that everything is complete around the same time. I clean the dishes in between different parts of the meal. If I have a baked desert I also start that at the same time as the boiling, steaming, etc so that it will be ready and cooling while we are eating dinner.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I loooove homeads pizza; I make the sauce and slice the toppings, but buy the prepared multi-grain pizza dough. So yummy!
October 28th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
LASAGNA!!! Lasagna always makes for a romantic meal for two, but a whole lot of time. Since Whole Foods does it so right, why go to all the effort and have a whole pan for just two of us. Don’t even get me started on DISHES!!!! AHHHH! My contribution is fresh baked bread, which I almost always have the dough in the fridge, and a nice italian salad. I’ll pick up a nice bottle of wine and my husband and I have a delicious and romantic dinner in for way less than going out. With the time I save in the kitchen I can make a mixed CD and put on a little make up.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
My husband and I Absolutely love Indian food but it is usually pretty time-consuming to make it from scratch every night like my mother used to. So my favorite shortcut is to just quickly cook up some chicken tenders in olive oil and then pour in the Seeds of Change Certified Organic Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce. It tastes AMAZING and I feel like I am back in Punjab, India.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I find that sometimes it is easier to main dish with 2 sides in the hot section ($9.99) and then I have leftovers the next day for lunch or dinner
October 28th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I buy a rotisserie chicken, take all the meat off and then divide it up into portioned baggies. put all the baggies in a dated freezer bag then into the freezer they go. grab one baggie in the morning to thaw in the refrigerator that day. come home, whip up a salad or pasta and i already have perfectly portioned cooked meat, ready to make the dish a meal.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I love to pick up a rotisserie chicken and make a casserole or just eat it with some veggies and warmbread from Whole Foods!
October 28th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I always utilize the fresh and prepared foods at Whole Foods so I don’t have to sacrifice on taste! When I want to cook a quick meal I will buy items like pie crust and cream of chicken soup for a pot pie or fresh lasagna noodles and gourmet pasta sauce.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I buy veggies from you salad bar, some fake chicken and noodle from your noodle bar and do a stir fry. This way I don’t have tons of produce left with all the different veggies used in stir fry. Keep up the great job!
October 28th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Soups for sauces! Some of the thicker soups at Whole Foods can work great as the base for a souped-up sauce in a pinch. Add a little cream as a thickener, any extra vegetables, let it similar… and mix it in with pasta, veggies, and/or meats.
The other thing I love is your pine nut crusted eggplant from the hot bar. Take that and mix it up with some pasta and it’s an instant Italian dinner.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I love getting the rosemary grilled chicken breasts fresh from the deli counter. I usually buy 3 of them on the weekend and use them to make chicken salad. I add cranberries, toasted walnuts, celery, tarragon and just a touch of mayo. I’ve got an easy lunch for the week!
October 28th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Since I have a round-trip commute of 1-3/4 hours I like to do a quick and dirty weekly menue. This is not detailed, but general. Then I shop for the items I will need. When I want to eat meat I often use some of the seasoned or marinated items from the meat department and build a couple of meals around those. If it’s just an omlette I’ve got planned I’ll buy a cheese I’ve never tried, preferably grated,from the cheese and deli meat section with some condiments from the olive bar. Whole Foods bakery can’t be equaled where I live, so a couple of bagettes are a must. As I rarely have time to prepare a dessert, I know I can count on something luscious for a special night. Typically, with the starters I get from Whole Foods, I can prepare a meal for two humans in 20-30 minutes while I feed three dogs between stirring.
Since my local Whole Foods is the only place I can get a good Malbec, I try to keep a bottle for red meat dishes.
And Coffee: I started going to Whole Foods because they roast their own right in the store with hot air instead of burning it along the sides of a hot drum. The rest of shopping there turned out to be a bonus!
October 28th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I cook for my husband and 4 kids every night. Many times I find myself cooking things that I don’t really like just to make sure that my pickiest eaters will have a healthy meal. Sometimes I just want to cook something a little more on the gourmet side so I pick up a little something special for just my husband and me. Our latest favorites are either sauteed chicken breast or salmon fillet served over one of the whole grain salads from the prepared foods counter. Served warm.
October 28th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
My wife and I get together on Sunday, go through all the grocery store flyers to see what’s on sale and put together our menus for the week. Then we spend Sunday afternoon doing all the shopping so it cuts down on the number of mid-week shopping trips. Also, if I know that dinner is going to be a little more involved, I get up a few minutes early and do the tedious prep work before I go to work and put it all the fridge. Then after work is mostly cooking and eating!
October 28th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I buy already prepared side dishes sometimes if I have a complicated main dish item. It helps to save me time to focus on other things. I’ll even buy a prepared salad put together from items in the salad bar because there are so many great, healthy choices.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Shopping at a store that is one stop shopping. I live two hours from a Whole Foods Market, but I do have a local store that is not too shabby. They have beer, too.(an oddity in PA)I did visit the store in North Wales, PA and did not want to leave. The staff was more than friendly and the selection superb! Please come to Wilkes-Barre or Scranton and please carry alcohol! Ok, I also, simply, keep my kitchen neat and clean, organized. It really helps to clean as you go, when cooking. By the time my dish is done, my kitchen is back in order and ready to go another round.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I love cuban sandwiches so much, but to make them a little healthier, I use Whole Foods’ In House Turkey, along with ham and swiss. So delicious! I grab a ciabatta bread from the bakery department, add a pickle and some mustard, grill it up and it’s soooooooooo good!
October 28th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I love saving time in the kitchen by preparing things in advance like my side dishes, freezing them, and bringing them out right before we need to eat them. It is also nice if you make dough like cookies ahead of time and freeze them so any time you want a nice fresh homemade cookie, you just pull it out and bake. :> Hope that helps others.
October 28th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I make grilled cheese with seeduction bread from the bakery & pair it with your one of your vegetarian delicious soups
October 28th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I like to strip the meat off of a ROTISSERIE CHICKEN, cut it into smaller pieces and freeze it. I can pull out the amount I need and quickly make a meal because I only have to re-heat it. Tacos, salads, sandwiches, stir-fry (using WF’s frozen brown rice and also a veggie mixture), add to soups, or over rice or pasta topped with a prepared sauce….
October 28th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Never throw out your celery leaves and hearts! That’s where all the flavor is.
The inner ribs are more tender and a bit less fibrous. They have a nice balance of sweet and bitter. A bonus in using the leaves is that you can use them in place of an herb. That way, you don’t really have to buy a huge bunch of, say, parsley just for one recipe.
Save these parts to use as the aromatics for your stocks, soups, stews, sauces, and marinades. They are great to use in chopped and pickled salads as well as chicken and tuna salads. You know what they say: waste not, want not.
October 28th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I think no one can complain when there’s a great big seeduction loaf on the table, and right there are plenty of healthy whole grains and seeds for the family!
October 28th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
My biggest shortcut is rotisserie chicken. I use it anytime I am in a time crunch. I make chicken tortilla soup with it, quesadillas,enchilladas, chicken salad (a la Sonoma style), and sometimes just serve it sliced with a side of potatoes, a vegetable and a salad. At the end I save the carcass and freeze it to make stock at a later time. Our WF sells smoked rotisserie chicken in addition to the classic, BBQ and other flavors. I use the smoked in my pumpkin soup. It is a creamy pumpkin soup, but I put a bit of shredded smoked chicken in the center of the bowl before I serve it and add a drizzle of honey and goat cheese. Delicious!
October 28th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I usually buy enough meat or fish to last the week and add my own sides everyday to keep the menu fresh There’s only two of us so the food goes far!
October 28th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I am a terrible cook, busy teacher and a vegetarian. Whole Foods prepackaged items let even a selective, time-crunched danger in the kitchen like me pull off a yummy meal.
Pre-cut fruits and veggies make for lovely salads, and the wide selection of sides at the deli counter are delicious and nutricious. Add a delectable Whole Foods soup to one of their ready to go fresh breads and you have a meal that warms body and soul – without animal products, hours in the kitchen or setting off the fire alarm!
October 28th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Sometimes instead of making pizza dough from scratch, we pick up the pre-made pizza dough in the prepared foods section. Then the sky is the limit to fresh veggies and cheese to add to make a complete meal.
October 28th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
There are these chicken breasts that are stuffed with Spinach and some white stuff (I make it sound appetizing, I know…
…) that is just delicious – it allows me to make the sides and other items, while only having to bake (but not otherwise prepare) and later enjoy a flavorful main entree. And I also always, always stop in the bread department for some Challah, which they’re always happy to slice (though it isn’t there everyday…).
October 28th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
A short-cut, easy and satisfying meal is achieved with Pacific Organic Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup with a dollup or two of sour cream and sliced black olives floating on the soup as pictured on the box. YUM!! I complement the soup with grilled cheese sandwiches.
I baked the Honey Walnut Pumpkin Bread today (10/28) and it is absolutely delicious. I plan to serve it, spread with a little coconut oil by NOW.
Bon Appetit and Happy Snow Day!!
October 28th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Rotisserie chickens are definitely a favorite. I’ve used them to make tasty salads (chicken and pistachios and oranges–yum!) as well as shredding up teh meat and using it in sandwiches. I’ll also grab pre-chopped fruit once in a while if it’s something like a pineapple and I know I only need a little bit for a recipe.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
For Baking: when you decide on what you’re baking and are going to really be pressed for time, pre measure dry ingredients in plastic baggies, and liquids in those plstic containers we take home foods in. After use just toss EVERYTHING away and zero cleanup!
October 28th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Always prepare the ingredients the night before so when it comes to cooking the main entree I’m ready to go! No need to look for stuff, it’s all set.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
love your prepared pasta salads, especially the ones with artichoke- those are way too time-consuming for me make on my own!
October 28th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Without a doubt, it’s the already cut veggies. For small amounts of expensive ingredients, it’s the most economical way.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I am a mother of two who is always on the go, I live on my quick but healthy meals during the week. I usually will shop at Whole Foods on a Saturday and go home and chop up the veggies for the week and the meats I buy will be divided for different meals. I do this because I can throw simple things together to make a healthy meal, and sometimes the left overs from one meal can be made into another meal with few added ingredients very easily. If for some reason I can’t make it home in time, picking up a rotisserie chicken with some salad from Whole foods does the trick. The kids enjoy it, it’s healthy and economical.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
The biggest shortcut I have is great planning ahead. I always make my list around this time, so I can get the things I need when they are on sale. Next, me and the kids do prep work the night before, cutting up veggies, making desserts and having a blast spending time together!! Then on Thanksgiving Day (or any other big day) all we have to do is get up and put everything on to cook and viola! Dinner is always ready on time! 3:00 p.m.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
I LOVE WF rotisserie chicken! Hormone- and antibiotic-free! Happy chickens, happy diners! I buy 3 – 4 a week, and use them for everything! The $0.50 – 1 more per chicken is SO worth it for the time savings, the taste, and the ease! I throw it in the food processor with celery, onion, garlic, relish, and mayo for a TERRIFIC chicken salad! I made tons of lunches of a huge veggie salad topped with chicken and dressing. Sandwich meat. Cooked with barbecue sauce for a pulled chicken sandwich. Tossed with freshly cooked pasta, garlic olive oil, olive, suncried tomatoes, basil, and roasted zucchini. Polish “potrawka”. . .cook a little flour in butter, add milk and stock and a splash of vinegar, S&P. . .add shredded chicken, and serve over rice (basmati brown, yum!) Collards, stock, dice tomatoes, spices, and piece rotisserie chicken.
I cannot come up with a product that has a better value OR time savings! This one is a star at my house. . .and keeps me eating healthy all at the same time!
October 28th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Whole Foods salad bar is great when having vegetarians or vegans over for dinner: there is always a veggie entree, and I can trust that it is delicious and high quality.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I work so I shop on the weekend. I figure out a menu for the week and make my list from the menu. This way I am never missing any ingredient. When I get home I always wash ,trim and bag all produce. It makes it easy to cook when all I do is reach into the fridge and find the cleaned produce for every meal.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
For geting to the table quickly, i like to pick out some prepared side dishes to finish the meal off. This gives me time to just do the main dish. Then all i do is quickly heat the side dishes if needed.
October 29th, 2009 at 3:02 am
I always get my Thanksgiving meal from you guys…well the food you don’t cook it! LOL That said, the heat and serve rolls, macaroni and cheese off your hot bar, and pre-crumbed bread crumbs from your bakery area always save me a lot of time and no one knows I did not make the goodies!
October 29th, 2009 at 7:53 am
I always by your ready-made pumpkin pies and the soy whip. Everyone LOVES my pie! hahahaha Makes the end of the Thanksgiving meal so good!
October 29th, 2009 at 7:54 am
I do a lot of cooking and I enjoy it. I will often spend one day off making several things for the week to save my time on busy days. However, on days where my husband and I are home together, I often bring home quarts of yummy soups from whole foods for lunch or dinner. That way I don’t feel like I’m in the kitchen all day cooking three meals.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:42 am
I love the precut veggies. I buy a colorful combination and add olive oil and some sliced garlic and roast in the oven. I especially like the precut acorn & butternut squash as those take a long time to cut. Being able to buy just the right amount of precut red, yellow and green peppers saves a lot of waste. A drizzle of pesto from the condiment bar adds great flavor to finish the veggies.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:55 am
We often buy 7-10 hazelnut cutlets when they are on sale. We store most of them in the freezer — they thaw out perfectly. They are so good on a bun, in chili or goulash, or as a pizza topping. They are a great source of protein and yummy to boot.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:49 am
On a busy weekend, I will grab some hamburger patties from the meat department. They are fast and easy to fry, since they are already prepared – and, it’s much healthier (and cheaper!) than going out to eat. I cook some kale and rice. And, voila, I have a terrific dinner. Sometimes, if I want to splurge, we will get some sushi to supplement our meal.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:18 am
I short cut by purchasing ready to eat desserts and breads from the bakery… the chocolate pastries are too die for and make an excellent addition to any brunch!
October 29th, 2009 at 10:34 am
No time to make pizza dough from scratch? Buy the WFM Garlic Tandoori Naan and make a quick and easy Naan pizza on the grill. Check out the recipe here: http://creativedelites.com/2009/07/14/hello-world/
October 29th, 2009 at 10:55 am
We are a small family and cannot eat the whole rotisserie chicken at once. So we eat the parts we each like for the first meal and the rest(minus the skin) we put into a pot with vegetables to make a quick soup. We save a lot of time by not having to clean and prepare a raw chicken, not to mention the energy saved by not having to roast the first meal or boil the soup for very long.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I am huge fan of WF prep foods. Of course, the rotissiere chicken is one of the best short-cuts. I get one on shopping day & some prepared sides (the roasted brussel sprouts & mac n cheese are a big favorite) and we have that for dinner. Then, I use the rest of the chicken all week – for chicken salad, in pasta – you name it. But, I also love WF for taking food to parties. I hit the deli counter for some italian meats – proscuitto, salami. Then cheese section for some fresh motz and parm reg. Then the antipasti bar – for olives, roasted peppers, marinated mushrooms – whatever looks good! The platter is always a hit. Along with a tub of brownie bites! It’s great when I don’t have time to bake or make a dips etc. Couldn’t do it without WF.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Roast 2 chickens instead of one. Cut up what you aren’t going to use and freeze or refrigerate for later use. Use the bones to make more awesome stock for soup/rice/risotto etc. It takes no more time to make 2 than one. Layer the bottom of the pan with yummy veggies too eat some then and use the rest with your other meals.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I’m single, and cook in small portions. So, I pick up fresh chicken soup, mushroom soup, cheese sauce, Italian pasta sauce, chicken or beef bullion, or white or Pesto sauce, and pour it into ice cube trays, then when frozen I crack them into ziploc bags. For a quick meal, all I have to do is microwave a potato, or boil up some pasta or rice, and while that happens, I just pop out a few of the cubes, and either microwave them or stir them into the very hot carbs in the same pot, and dinner is served! Nothing ever goes to waste in the frig. And so many combinations I keep inventing! My freezer always has an assortment of little frozen cubes! The ice cube trays go into a dishpan of water in the sink, with a little bleach, and after they soak overnight, the trays come clean easily with a whisk of a scrub brush, same with the pot for the rice or the pasta, which literally melts away. So easy! And so much cheaper than TV dinners! (Since you make small portions you won’t overeat, the carbs satisfy your hunger, and you can always make a salad to go with it. That’s how I’m 5′5″ and 125 lbs.) Enjoy!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
olive bar + herbs + fresh bread + favorite cheese
I have the bakery slice the bread while I’m deciding what cheese I’m in the mood for. When I get home, I rub the bread with a garlic clove, brush it with some olive oil, then pile on the olive bar goodies, (Mmm roasted reds and artichokes!) fresh herbs, cheese and let it hang under the broiler for a few minutes. This a quick way to make a warm, wintry sandwich or leave it open face and cut into single serve portions for entertaining. (I stick to vegetables most of the time, but if I’m feeling carnivorous, the salad bar is perfect for grabbing some chicken to go on top, too!)
October 29th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
I buy deli sliced turkey, chicken stock, prepared mashed potatos and a couple bags of frozen veggies. I make a quick gravy out of stock and a roux and my special blend of spices and toss in the turkey, warm up the delicous simple mashe potatos and steam frozen veggies for a quick warming thanksgiving inspired week night meal, complete with cranberry sauce.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:35 am
As soon as I walk in the back door in the evening, even before I take my coat off, I either start heating the oven or fill a pot of water and place it on high heat on the stove. This way, I can take off my coat, shuffle through the mail, gather my items to cook and have water or oven heated and ready when I am.
October 30th, 2009 at 8:45 am
If I am in need of a quick meal, I turn to soup. It is healthy, tastful, and easy. However, all the chopping,washing,peeling of the vegetables can be a pain. Instead I just open a jar of good quality mild salsa and add it to chicken stock. It is a great, quick foundation for many soups. It already has the mirepoix plus a nice small amount of heat.
October 30th, 2009 at 10:23 am
i buy the carrot-ginger soup, or the butternut squash soup and then add garnishes, or even toss in some vegetables to make a hearty start to dinner.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
So my future husband actually eats your prepared food almost everyday, as he is blessed to work right by your Town and Country Store in St. Louis. By eating a comparatively light lunch -think burger and fries if it wasn’t for whole foods- he finds he is better able to maintain focus in the afternoon. He struggles with ADD as an adult and the high fiber, low sugar, nutrient dense food helps him steer clear of the sugar/carb crash and burn that a lot of prepared foods give him.
I find the prepared foods the best for picking up veggies. Wholefoods prepares the best vegetable side dishes that help me put together a good meal even though I am a bit challenged when it comes to putting together enticing vegetable sides for my family.
October 30th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
I buy focaccia bread from the bakery and top it with yummy mediteranean flavors for a quick “pizza”. Drizzle with olive oil and warm in the oven. Yum!
October 30th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I buy pre-made guacamole and use it in lieu of may in wraps and on toasted bread for sandwiches. So much flavor, such healthier fats, and so much time saved!
October 30th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Saturdays and Sundays I use my spare kitchen minutes to wash veggies and put them in bags to cook when I arrive home ready to cook during the week. Picking up deli foods helps supplement the cooked veggies, and I’m all set!
November 1st, 2009 at 3:53 pm
A little time planning and prepping goes a long way for me. I do my shopping on the weekend so I can take advantage of not only the regular sales, but the “weekender” sales at my local Whole Foods. I plan all my meals around the foods that are for sale. On Sunday, I spend some time washing and chopping veggies and getting them ready to go for the week. Just today I posted my weekly menu on the fridge, complete with notes such as “Monday-meatloaf and brussel sprouts-take out the chicken from the freezer for tomorrow night”…so I remember all the things I need to get done. Without this kind of planning, it would be difficult to raise two kids, work full time and be committed to healthier eating.
November 1st, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Every Sunday I prepare my dinners for the week. I steam brocolli & cauliflower and mix in some quinoa. I store it in my fridge in 12 individual servings for my family of 3. Every 3 -4 weeks I buy about 20 pounds of Mary’s boneless skinless breasts, butterfly them and individually freeze them. So 4 out of the 5 weekdays I come home from work & all I have to do is microwave the mixed veggies & quinoa and quickly season and grill the chicken. I prepare my breafasts for the week the same way. On Sunday I cook up a bunch of quinoa & seperate it into individual servings. I top it with organic rasberries, organic blueberries & a handful of organic walnuts. I can get all of this prep work done in about three hours and it makes my busy workweek much more manageable! The one day a week I don’t have a dinner planned we are at whole foods here in las Vegas eating our dinner. Everything they make here is amazing! It makes it nice when you live just a few blocks away! Thanks Whole Foods!
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:19 am
I get my sides already made to save time.
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
I take the salad bar tofu or the vegan popcorn chicken from the case and throw it into a stir fry – saves the time and mess of pressing and marinating fresh tofu to get that extra firm texture.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:12 am
On Sundays, we’ll grill up a bunch of chicken or cook up a bunch of ground beef and freeze it for upcoming meals. It saves so much time to be able to pull a bag of frozen, chopped up chicken from the freezer in the morning for dinner that night. With a full-time job and family, the little timesavers really add up!
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:23 am
I live alone so the prepared meal section of Whole Foods is a life saver for me. I work a lot and do not get home until sometimes 10 or 11 at night. I tend to get the meals from whole foods that are fully prepared, with the main dish, a side and a salad. I then split that up and either freeze some or put it into the fridge divided. This way, there is little to no prep involved, all i have to do is heat it up. For 14.95, I am able to get two to three meals for myself, an excellent money saver, and super delicious and easy!
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Quick cooking grains- couscous or quinoa of any hue. Cooking extra batches of rice and other grains and freezing them is really helpful for when we are rushed to put dinner on the table. Having these to serve with a stirfry or other quick meal is great….also lovely to toss into a quick soup, either homemade or pre-prepared.
November 2nd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I agree with Vanessa Cosenza – Cooking? what’s that – I like to pick up things from the prepard foods department. If I have some leftover meat, I will pick up some side dishes.
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I buy the flavored packaged Chicken Sausages in the meat aisle. They are already pre-cooked. Just heat and serve.
I will usually cut up some zucchini, peppers, onion, and whatever else I have on hand. Drizzle with Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper, roast on 425 for about 15 minutes. In the meantime, I boil up some pasta…saute up the sausage.
When the pasta is done, the veggies should be done, toss together with rounds of the sausage. Top with some fresh parm cheese…yummy! and fast!
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
The crock-pot is heaven sent for this busy mother of four! How easy is it to have very little prep time, throw everything together in the morning and come home after sports practice with the kids and have everything ready after a hard day? Buy some pre made sides from Whole Foods and you have a healthy dinner with not a lot of time taken away from your family! And clean up time is practically nothing!
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Quick Mediterranean Pasta:
1 Whole Foods rotiserie chicken de-boned
1/2 cup calamata olives from the olive bar sliced
1 cup frozen artichoke hearts chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
In a large skillet, saute’ the garlic, olives and artichokes in 3 tbs olive oil
Add the chicken and toss.
Add 6 oz. of feta cheese and stir until melted.
Add 1/4 cup heavy cream or half and half and stir.
Add 2 tbs oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer.
Serve over pasta.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I love homemade soups, especially chicken and rice. To save time, I cook celey, carrots and onions in the microwave for a few minutes so veggies cook on in the inside and not all the way through the outside, then they are easy to chop. I sautee them in a little olive oil, add hand shredded rotissere chicken and 360 chicken broth and rice that I got from prepared foods bar and cook about 15 mins. Top off the end with fresh chopped parsely and parmesean cheese. No one can tell it took less than 30 minutes to make a homemade chicken soup.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:33 am
I like to make a vegetable soup for those leftover veggies using a store bought low salt vegetable broth. Saute some onion and garlic, pour in the broth and add those leftover veggies with a pinch of basil and some parsley and you have a wholesome low calories, bone warming soup.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:08 am
Whole foods ready made selection couldn’t make it easier! on the way home from work, we run by fill a box with tofu, cheeses, olives, and a variety of fresh cut veggies. I also grab some of the warm ready made, rice, sides etc… Grab a pack of tortillas, a couple bottles of wine, we work hard
and were done. We do this as our gourmet taco tuesdays to enjoy time with friends during the week and no one slaves in the kitchen. A little blue cheese in a taco… amazing. Everyone loves the variety (we’ve come up with some amazing combos, cous-cous, cucumber, feta tacos… you get the picture) something for everyone!!! Love it! Thanks!
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:42 am
BTW -I posted the taco info but,,, doesn’t stop there!
in addition to tacos – we do the same with pasta and your flat breads. When everything is cut or prepared we just boil pasta and add a variety of prepared items toss with olive oil or take a flatbread and dump (literally) a variety of items on top – drizzle the olive oil and fresh herbs toss it in the oven… How gourmet! – a few olives, salami and a glass of wine… Mario Batalli better watch his back! we’ve become quite good at a this!
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:52 am
I especially favor the anitpasti bar, for a couple reasons. One, i can give my guests a spread of tapas-like appetizers (which allows more time to cook if I happen to have it) or two, I can use the anitpasti for a light, fresh pasta (the pasta could be made the day before, cooking until about 90 percent done, completely cooled and generously oiled with extra virgin olive oil and reheated with the anitpasti come dinner time). As for an entree along with the pasta, I usually sear off a nice piece of salmon, as it takes only minutes no matter your desired temperature. If a guest happens to be more toward the well-done range and I feel rushed, I get a nice sear in the saute pan, flip it, and finish it in the oven.
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 am
I love picking up prepared salads or meats. It saves me time in the kitchen and cleaning up. I can use the time to relax with my family. Thanks
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:40 am
My favorite shortcut is to grab some fresh bread and some of the prepared soups. In the time it takes to heat the soup up I can put together a quick salad and even fry an egg to put on top for a little extra protein. In under 10 minutes I’ve got a great meal that hits the spot come fall/winter. My favorite is the ginger/carrot!
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Depending what’s on sale, for instance ground beef, I will make a meat loaf for dinner that night, large meatballs for later in the week and freeze mini meatballs for wedding soup another time. I try to do this with all meals. If I am chopping veggies for soup tonight I go ahead and chop an additional amount for beef stew tomorrow. It saves me a lot of time.
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
We are so busy during the week I try and prepare as much as I can on a Sunday for the rest of the week. I will make a chicken or chicken cutlets on Sunday along with lots of fresh vegetables which I will buy already cut up – but fresh from Whole Foods, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, pepper, garlic, and whatever else looks fresh. I place it on a cookie sheet in bite size pieces with olive oil and sea salt and pepper and roast for 1-hour at 400 degrees.I then use several ways during the week, in omelets, on Kashi pizzas with rice and again with chicken cutlets or a roast chicken. It assures me that we are getting fresh vegetables several times a week and I only have to do the hard work once on Sunday.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Picking up a rotisserie chicken is such a time saver. I cut up the meat and use them for tacos, enchiladas, or sandwiches. Any leftover meat can be added to a salad for protein or added to a quick vege stir fry – Yummy! Then I simmer the chicken bones overnight in a pot of water with onions and celery. The next morning, I have delicious chicken broth for making poached eggs. Leftover stock gets stashed in the fridge or the freezer (to be used later as a base in soups and sauces).
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I love buying the pre-cut veggies and roast chicken. And since I know where they come from, I don’t feel bad about feeding my family prepared food! Nothing like the yukky stuff with fillers and msg.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
When it comes to putting together a meal for myself or for a group of friends I go straight to Whole Foods for a variety of choices, at an affordable price. At Whole Foods, I know that whatever I choose will be of the highest quality and nutritional value. Sometimes I purchase some of the new and exotic items and I am never disappointed. They always offer an array of foods in season too. I usually get chicken breasts or seafood fillets to pan saute, and they are absolutely delicious. You can’t go wrong with the assortment of sides that would appeal to even the finickiest of palates. Whole Foods saves me time at a great price, without sacrificing flavor and freshness. You can’t go wrong with Whole Foods.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 pm
My family of three never complains when I serve them a simple pasta or spaghetti dinner. I jazz it up with some fresh veggies and garlic, but it’s my “go to” dinner when I am short on time or just not in the mood to spend time in the kitchen. 365 marinara and pasta sauces are tasty, affordable and super easy. Now here is where the shortcut chef in me steps in. The next night I use the leftover sauce to either make mini pizzas or added to vegetable broth to make a hearty stew. It is delicious, already seasoned, and most importantly a cheap easy shortcut.
November 4th, 2009 at 8:04 am
I like to buy a large bag of boneless, skinless chicken breast and then cut it into bite-size pieces. I cook the chicken in olive oil with chopped onions and garlic. After cooking, I package the chicken in 1 to 2 lb. freezer bags and freeze. It is very convenient to just defrost a package and add other ingredients for a quick, delicious meal.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:31 am
When I decide to make anything stuffed, as in peppers, or shells, Etc. /I double my stuffing and freeze the other half for a quick dinner fix at a later date or unexpected quests.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I hate cutting cantaloupe, so I love buying it precut. No bloody fingers and delicious cantaloupe; a win win!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:54 pm