I was at the grocery store today. I discovered, to my surprise and delight, that the grocery store was having a 2-for-1 special on their “Extreme Value Packs” of pork chops, chicken legs/thighs, and beef roasts. So…..I came home with about twenty pork chops and twenty-something chicken legs.
But, being easily bored with food I regretted my bulk purchase almost immediately: This was going to be one very boring couple of weeks.
But inspiration struck as I was sorting chops and legs into freezer bags for storage: Why am I going to store these things plain? So I made several different marinades, just quick things, and tossed the chops and legs in them before storing in the freezer.
I made a Honey-Soy-Garlic marinade, a Lemon Pepper marinade, and a tandoori marinade (like the one I made for the awesome chicken breasts I made earlier this week.) Now most of the hard choices are made for me and I just have to worry about getting the food cooked, and not about getting bored with the same chicken or pork, day in and day out.
So, next time you go grocery shopping and you see a deal on bulk protein, don’t be afraid that you’ll just get bored with it. Make a few marinades ahead of time and you’re set.
Copyright 2011 Backpacking Dad’s Easy Cooking Solutions, available soon from Backpacking Dad Press, a fully-owned subsidiary of Backpacking Dad Enterprises, controlling shareholder of Backpacking Dad Inc. An unlimited liability corporation.
You're just a jack of all trades, huh? Any other household tips?
Measure once, cut twice.
Measure once, cut twice.
Measure once, cut twice.
You’re just a jack of all trades, huh? Any other household tips?
You’re just a jack of all trades, huh? Any other household tips?
I love this idea! I can’t believe I didn’t think of it first… I buy my meat at Costco, so you know what THAT means. I need to stock up on marinades too.
I love this idea! I can’t believe I didn’t think of it first… I buy my meat at Costco, so you know what THAT means. I need to stock up on marinades too.
I love this idea! I can't believe I didn't think of it first… I buy my meat at Costco, so you know what THAT means. I need to stock up on marinades too.
That is a *fantastic* idea – I spend too much time doing plain grilled steak and chops :-D
That is a *fantastic* idea – I spend too much time doing plain grilled steak and chops :-D
That is a *fantastic* idea – I spend too much time doing plain grilled steak and chops :-D
Since I lost the RT war, I guess I owe you some tribute. Freezing slows down the marinade process, it doesn't stop it. Freezing meat in marinade may end up with unbearably salty (or other flavors–like the lemon pepper) meat. Some marinades, even if frozen, can make the meat mushy. So I freeze the meat plain & add the marinade as part of the defrosting process.