Set limit for grocery shopping

[Kchurchill5]

I think that is why I always cook mine (ham) first.. Then I wrap in parchment and then double bag. That is how my friend does it who is a chef, so I have just always done it that way. But I just find that even a pre-cooked spiral or any type of pre-cooked ham, I cook first and glaze. Then I cool and pkg. Maybe that helps, but I find it is moist and tender; I have never had one that was too wet, or watery.

I will say that I either cube it, or I cut in thicker slices and freeze it that way. Even with a spiral cut, I freeze in several spiral slices. Nothing too thin. Even cubes I cut large. Once thawed it takes just a couple of seconds to dice them smaller.

[JamiLynne]

Huh. I'll have to pay attention next time. I find ham to contain a lot of water when it's fresh, too. Especially the sliced or cubed packaged kind that's ready-to-use. I always have to press it between paper towel before adding it to salads.

I agree that deli ham is no good after it frozen, but I have froze cooked spiral ham with success although I do find the texture changes slightly

[HeatherFeather]

I like to watch for sales on rotisserie chicken. Often the price ends up less than buying a whole fresh chicken and then of course with a cooked bird, you aren't using your oven at home, so that saves you a little time/money too.

I usually get the rotisserie chicken home and take off all the meat to use in recipes. Some I use right away in either chicken salad or just to eat for dinner that night. The rest I cube up or shred and pack in the freezer to add to anything requiring cooked chicken.

I am trying to clean out my freezer now to make room for storing prepped ingredients & meals - right now I mainly have frozen raw meats in there. I am trying to get myself to prep meat when I get home (or at least the next day) so it is packed in the freezer in marinade or something like that. I want some things in my freezer at all times that are homemade but still convenient - like a bag of 4 chicken breasts already in marinade. Easy to just thaw that out and grill it or bake it.

[Kchurchill5]

When pork loin goes on sale ... not tenderloin but a big pork loin - they can be very affordable.

I cut part in thick 1/2-1" thick slices, like chops. They are quick cooking. And as HF mentioned. Put them in your favorite marinade and freeze. Then, just thaw and grill.

You can also cut the loin in cubes, 1" pieces. Again marinate along with some of the frozen pearl onions, and freeze. Then, just add a few fresh mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and skewer with the pork and onions. Grill, or even broil. Add rice or couscous for a quick meal.

Cut more of the pork in smaller cubes for pork fried rice; and cut more in thin strips for stir fry.

[Dissie]

I don't really have a set limit. I know what we need and sometimes the bill is high and sometimes low. What I really mean is, I don't buy meats every week. One week I will buy meats and essentials. The next week just neccessities, (milk, bread, eggs). So sometimes, I don't spend any money except for milk or bread. I do have one large bill a month when I buy meats and then its just for side dishes to go with meat and in the summer such as now, I don't have to buy much just meat. We have a huge garden and have been eating out of that and canning veggies for savings all winter.

[invictus]

I don't set a food budget here either. We have to eat so I just suck it up and plan according to where my money situation is. We rarely eat out unless we are on vacation and I cook 7 nights a week in some form or another so I know that is savings right there.

If we are doing ok money wise I plan a normal menu with a variety of meat and produce but if things are tighter I definitely choose cheaper meals. If money is super tight I cook strictly out of the freezer and buy only milk for the week.