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Kitchen Renovations – How to Save Money and When to Hire Someone

There are some home projects many homeowners can do by themselves. Replacing flooring, changing light fixtures, or painting a room in the house are all home projects many of us can do.  And even though replacing flooring in a room is not necessarily easy, it is a project most homeowners can do by themselves.

How about Kitchen renovations? Can homeowners do them themselves?

Kitchen renovations involve many, many difficult steps that many homeowners are not able to do by themselves.  It is possible to do a kitchen renovation if you have the time to do things slowly and well. Also, it is possible to do the kitchen project yourself if you are willing to hire some help when you need it.   Not everyone is willing or able to do this project. But if you are adventurous, have the time, have an abundance of patience, and want to save money, here are some tips for you to consider before you begin.

  1. By ordering the cabinets online yourself(even if you need the company’s designers) you will be saving money by not paying the high prices of a contractor or home improvement store. Use the company’s designers if you can.  A mistake in the order will be their responsibility, and you won’t have to pay shipping fees to return something back to them.
  2. You can pay to have the cabinets put together, but they are easy and straightforward to do on your own. There is no cutting involved unless you order a pantry bigger than the kitchen’s ceiling. For example, we had to cut the bottom of our pantry to be able to lift it and set it upright. Make sure you keep in mind the room needed to straighten it and put right.
  3. Don’t buy the cabinets fixtures in the home improvement stores in your area.  There are small companies selling flooring, kitchen cabinets, and everything you need for your kitchen at a fraction of the cost you will be paying at these big home improvement stores.
  4. If you are redoing the kitchen’s ceiling, hire a contractor. If you are unsure about doing the plumbing on your own, we strongly recommend hiring a plumber to do it for you. Water damage can cost you thousands of dollars to fix if you do something wrong with the kitchen’s plumbing. Handymen have the tools, and experience to do a job well done in a short period of time. You will be saving time and money if you hire one to do the job.
  5. You can do the kitchen’s backsplash on your own.  If you and your partner do it together, it is much easier and faster than doing it alone. Don’t buy a cheap tile cutter, they don’t work well and you will be using a lot of tiles “learning” how to cut them.
  6. You can also replace the kitchen’s flooring on your own.  If you are unsure about what kind of flooring you want, you can visit your home improvement store and look at their selection.  Not sure how to install flooring? No problem, there are countless videos on YouTube where they can guide you step by step.
  7. You will save money by having a plan and a target time to finish.  Make sure you order things in the right order.  Don’t wait to order the sink late.  If you are buying a granite, marble, or stone countertop, the seller will need the sink to cut the right proportions on the stone.
  8. Replace your old dishwasher with a new energy-efficient one.  They are worth the money. You will be saving on the energy and water consumption the new dishwashers use to do the job.

Many homeowners do not wish to remodel a kitchen on their own.  It is hard work, it is a long process, messy, and can become expensive if you need to redo things. But, it can be very satisfying if you do it and you can do it at a fraction of the cost of a contractor. For all of you adventurous people that will try to do kitchen remodeling on your own, hire help when you are unsure how to do something yourself.  It will save you time and money.

5 Minute Chocolate Cake from Scratch

We do not keep a lot of sweets in the house, which makes this 5-minute chocolate cake recipe a lifesaver when someone decides they have had a hard day and need a cake. (It happens)

The first time you make this, it might take you seven minutes. But once you have mastered the steps, you can get it done in as little as four minutes. Much to the shock and surprise of the person who said, “Hmmm, some cake sounds good” just a few minutes before.

Chances are, you have all of these ingredients in your kitchen already. The only one I sometimes run out of is the cocoa powder. However, once I realized how handy this 5-minute chocolate cake recipe is, I now make sure I do not run out.

While this is traditionally a mug cake that people eat straight out of the mug, I prefer to lightly oil the mug and then remove it from the mug when it is done cooking so that it is like a piece of cake on a plate with chocolate syrup and whipped cream on top. The extra 15 seconds make it much nicer.

Some things that are very important when making this 5 minute chocolate cake recipe from scratch are as follows:

  • Do not overcook it – 60-90 seconds is all you need. Stand there and watch it. When it poofs up, wait a couple of seconds and then stop the microwave.
  • Use a mug that is big enough for it to rise in.
  • Put a paper towel under the mug cake as it cooks, so that if it does overflow, it will not make a big mess.
  • This chocolate mug cake will be bigger than you expect, so you can divide it in half after removing it from the mug so two people can share, if both people just want a small amount.
  • Peanut butter can be substituted for the chocolate syrup.
Print Recipe

Fast Microwave Chocolate Cake

Traditionally these are called mug cakes, but I use this recipe for those evenings when someone decides they want a piece of cake, even though we do not keep things like that in the house. You can make this in five minutes if you have everything handy.
Prep Time3 minutes
Cook Time2 minutes
Course: desert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake
Servings: 1 Person
Calories: 600kcal
Cost: $1

Equipment

  • Microwave

Ingredients

  • 1/4 Cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 tbsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar Add more if you want sweeter
  • 1 dash salt
  • 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp. milk
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp chocolate syrup
  • 1 dollop whip cream

Instructions

  • Lightly oil the inside bottom and sides of the large, microwave-safe mug
  • Add dry ingredients, stir to blend well
  • Add milk and remaining oil, mix until no clumps
  • Put mug on paper towel in microwave.
  • Microwave on high for 1 minute to 90 seconds – keep an eye on it. It will expand and then be done.
  • Carefully use knife to go around edges. Dump cake onto dessert plate. Add chocolate syrup and a dollop of whipcream.
  • We sometimes make one and split between two people.

Notes

Microwave temps vary.  The easiest thing to do is to keep an eye on it.  Once it poofs up, after a few seconds it is done.  

This recipe does not include baking soda. Every time I try to make it with baking soda the flavor is not as good. Sometimes it is very bad. Stick to baking powder and it will turn out much better.

Another option is to make it with an egg instead of baking powder or baking soda. This has been very good sometimes. However, if you cook the mug cake just a little too long, the version using an egg does have a bit of an eggy taste. You have to be very careful. The good thing about using an egg though is the protein makes it a healthier option for someone who eats eggs.

Basement Remodeling Advantages

Ohio Basement Remodeling –The Four Main Reason Why Every Homeowner In Northeast Ohio Should Consider Finishing Your Basement

Introduction To Ohio Basement Finishing

Did you know your basement can add some strong value to your home(if you remodel it correctly). Some homeowners look at their basement as merely “storage space”. However, it can be so much more than that.

We have four benefits of Ohio Basement finishing listed below.

1)

Did you know that a “finished basement” can add more space to your house? You could easily add one more bedroom by having your basement finished. Your finished basement will have (potentially) two forms of exiting the home, for safety. Do you have a window in your basement? That could be a second exit if done properly if the Ohio basement finishing is done properly.

You could easily knock out some of the walling and add a closet. That way one of your kids could call that space their own. A basement does not have to look and feel like a damp, dismel place to be.

This will require some work, but it could look spectacular once it is all completed. You might like it so much, that you want to call the space your own.

2)

It could also be considered a second(or third and fourth) bathroom, depending on how big your house already is. A remodeled bathroom is considered an excellent investment(even if it began as a basement). That adds more value if you decide to sell later.

3)

Basement remodeling is a great to avoid new construction zoning issues. Some places do not allow zoning permits and remodels (due to many factors). You might live in an area where the city ordinance prevents it. You may have some neighbors that get a little persnickety about things like this.

Remodeling the basement allows you to make changes(you want) without violating any laws.

4)

You can add in a rental unit by doing this. Now, that will have to be approved by the zoning commission in your area, but it has potential. You can rent the space out(if you are looking to make some extra money), and that person has place to stay for the time being. Just make sure you rent the space to someone credible and decent.

Healthy Instapot Black Bean Recipe

One of the most common staples in our house with many meals is black beans. Sometimes they are a side dish and sometimes they are part of the main dish.

Also, because our family has members who are mostly vegetarian and other members who eat meat regularly, this is a good option for everyone. If we do not have black beans for more than a day or two, I make a special trip to the store for them because we start missing them that fast.

I do what to share with you the black bean recipe, which is less of a recipe and more of a group of variations to change up how your black beans can be prepared.

Healthy Black Bean Instapot Uses

This is a common staple of people in Latin America and is frequently eaten in the home, but traditionally is not served to guests because it is so inexpensive and common. It can be used in a lot of ways, and here are some things you can do once the base beans are prepared.

  1. Refried Black Beans
  2. Bean Nachos
  3. Black Bean Soup
  4. Bean Quesadillas
  5. Chili
  6. Bean Dip
  7. Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers

What makes this version of black beans more healthy is the addition of flaxseed, which has very positive properties and is a vegetarian supplement for fish oils, and is easily mixed with the beans and does not change the taste. The key is to not add too much or it clumps and looks less appealing in the beans. Be sure to mix them before serving.

Print Recipe

Healthy Instapot Black Beans

Black beans can be enhanced and prepared in the Instapot to be very helpful and not bother people's digestion when done correctly.
Prep Time1 day
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beans
Servings: 12
Calories: 80kcal
Cost: $3.50

Equipment

  • Instapot

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Black Beans dry
  • 2 tbsp Flaxseed ground
  • 2 tbsp Salt
  • Water

Instructions

  • Dump dry black beans into a white large plastic container and sort through them removing any dirt and small rocks.
  • Wash beans with water. Dump water out.
  • Refill container with enough water to be double the height of the beans in the bottom
  • Let sit overnight
  • Dump out water. Add black beans to Instapot pot and enough fresh water to cover the beans plus an inch.
  • Add flaxseed to beans
  • Cook in Instapot for 8 minutes
  • Let it depressurize on its own
  • Carefully remove pot and add salt to taste. It takes more salt than you think, but be careful not to oversalt.
  • Serve whole or smashed – freeze servings you cannot eat within 2-3 days

Notes

There are a few variations of this, such as using chicken stock or putting some spinach leaves in the mix.  It is a great place to hide healthy things that kids may not want to eat.

We actually do double this black bean recipe every 4-5 days and do not need to freeze it because we finish them so quickly. We usually eat them with our breakfast as well as with our dinner. It is a great, healthy staple that is very versatile.

8 Tips to Lower Your Electric Bill this Winter

74 ℉ is a pretty good average temperature for September. Historically, October is 12℉ colder, and November’s average temperature is 50 ℉.  The winters in Northeast Ohio can be extreme, and the electric bills many homeowners receive during these months are pretty high.  During these months, there are many families that struggle to make these high electric bill payments and fall behind.  Then, late fees and higher rates make their ability to pay harder.  This cycle is repeated year after year.  If families start making payments but still have a balance on their bills, they cannot shop around for better electric suppliers and are stuck with suppliers offering high rates.

This winter, lower your electric bill by preparing your home for the frigid winter months.  These tips will help you have a lower bill without making you suffer the cold weather inside.

  1. Shop for a Better Electric Supplier-The Public Utility Commission in your state will have a website and a list of all the major electric and gas suppliers in the state.  Shop around and choose a supplier that will meet your needs.
    • TIP#1 Do not pay a fee to enroll, cancel your contract early, or a monthly fee. There are other suppliers offering electric and gas contracts without fees.
    • Tip #2 Do not enroll in a contract with a variable rate even if the price is lower. They can change the variable rate as they pleased in some cases. Choose the fixed rate every time.
    • TIP #3 Be careful and read all the fine print before switching or choosing a new electric supplier.
    • TIP#4 Keep all signed papers handy in case you need to check the terms of your contract later on.
    • TIP#5 Keep in mind the termination date of your contract.  Choose another supplier ahead of time if your contract is expiring and you will be shopping for a better rate. The change to another supplier is not instantaneous.

2.  Use smart Technology-Buy a Programmable or a smart WiFi thermostat to control the temperature of your home with little difficulty. According to the U.S. Department of energy, for every degree you lower the temperature of the home, you will be saving 1% on your electric bill in an 8-hour period.

3. Change Filters-Most heating and cooling technicians recommend changing the filter in your heating system every 3 to 6 months.  If the filter is full of dust sooner, you should replace it anyway regardless of the last time you changed it. The cleaner the filter is, the better it will perform.

4. Use energy-efficient appliances throughout the home-If you need to replace an appliance in your home, choosing an energy-efficient appliance that will save you money and be good for the environment. Also, make sure to clean the lint from the drier after every load, run the dishwasher when is fully loaded, clean the dust from the bottom of the refrigerator’s motor to keep it working efficiently.

5. Install ceiling fans for the second floor-Changing the thermostat to have a comfortable temperature on the second floor is wasteful. Instead, install ceiling fans in the bedrooms to keep them cool during the summer. It will take less electricity to cool the house, plus prolong the life of your AC system.

6. Turn Off the Lights, TV, and Computers-This is a relatively easy energy-saving tip we can all do.  If nobody is in a room, the lights have to be off. If nobody is watching the TV, the TV has to be off. It is very easy for many families to leave the TV on whether anyone is watching or not. Some houses look like every light in the house is on, even if no one is in the room. It can become a nice habit to have to ensure we are not wasting electricity.

7. Reduce the Temperature-By reducing the temperature one degree, we are saving energy, and saving money.  During the spring season and only if your children don’t suffer from allergies, open the windows to air out the home and cool it down.  It is also true for the autumn months.

8. Apply Window Plastic Seal-You can apply a black, clear, gray, or artistic window plastic seal to your windows and doors to prevent cool or hot air from escaping. In the winter, the sun will warm up the house without wasting too much electricity, and in the summer, the house will be cooler if cold air is not escaping through openings and cracks.

For many families, reducing their kilowatts usage is an environmental issue. For many others, it is a matter of saving money.  Regardless of the reason you want to lower the electric usage in your home, it is both financially smart, and environmentally conscious to reduce the kilowatts you use every month.

It’s Fall, Winterize Your Home

The temperatures in Northeast Ohio can be extreme during the winter. The changing weather and frigid temperatures can sometimes be felt inside the home. Electric bills can skyrocket during the January and February months, and during July and August, the cooling of the home can be an unpleasant bill to get.

If you have some draft coming from the windows or doors, winterizing them might be a good idea to save on those electric and gas bills. Even during the summer months, when temperatures can reach record highs, these 8 tips can save you on high cooling bills.

  1. Sealing cracks around the windows-If you have old windows or broken windows that need to be replaced, there is a high probability that the cold air is coming through the cracks. You might need to replace the seal around the windows or caulking small openings if you cannot replace all the windows at once.
  2. Sealing the doors-The caulk around the doors’ wood frame can become loose and you might have a small opening where the cold air is coming from. Caulking it to seal it is an easy chore to do and it might stop the heat from escaping and the cold from entering your home. If the gap is too big to caulk first, fill in the gap and then apply the sealant. A home improvement store has a huge inventory of calks, sealants, and products to fill in the cracks no matter how big they are.
  3. Sealing the windows-A heavy-duty tape use around the windows to prevent air from coming in or escaping is a cheap solution for many homeowners.  It is easy to apply and easy to remove.  If you feel a draft coming from the windows, applying this tape around the window panes might stop the draft altogether.
  4. Weather Strips for your main doors-Some homes have gaps at the bottom of outside doors that are big enough to feel drafts all year long. If you really want to stop the cold air from entering the home, applying a weather strip at the bottom of the door might do the trick. The weatherstrips in major home improvement stores are easy to install, adjustable, and come in different colors and width. They do not require you to be handy or spend a lot buying them.
  5. Heavy Drapes-Putting up heavy drapes or blinds in drafty rooms can stop the cold from coming into the room. If it is a sunny day, open the drapes or blinds and let the room warm up naturally.
  6. Window Plastic Seal-This is another inexpensive way to prevent cold air from coming into the home.  Applying an indoor or outdoor crystal clear film on the windows can save you a lot in your electric bill. The window plastic seal can be clear, black, gray, or have a different look if you wish.  You can even have an artistic window seal if that’s your preference. The windows do not have to be ugly to protect your home from the winter cold.
  7. Seal the cracks between the window panes-Heavy duty tape or removable caulk to seal the crack between the window panes is another solution that is cheap, and easy to do.
  8. Close and Lock all windows-Make sure all your windows are closed and locked well.  A tiny gap in one window can let a lot of heat escape. It can be difficult to spot if you do not make sure they are locked as well.

There are many ways you can save on your electric bill, and one of them is making sure your home is closed well during the winter and summer months. Keep in mind that a drafty window or door cannot only let cold air come into the home, but it can let it escape as well during the summer months. Plus, exposure to cold temperature, rain, and snow can deteriorate your windows and make their durability much shorter.

8 Easy Tips To Prevent Gnats and Fruit Flies in the Home

Fruit Flies are a very common occurrence during the fall, spring, and summer months. They can multiply easily, and depending on what kind of bugs you have in your kitchen, some of them can reproduce quickly and can carry bacteria into the home. Your kitchen can be spotless, yet you will find fruit flies by the fruit bowl, sugary spots on the table, countertop, thrash can, or recycle bin. Regardless of where you find fruit flies, there are steps to take to stop them from multiplying and becoming a nuisance.

  1. Clean sugar spills on the counter and kitchen table as they occur. Make sure the sugar bowl is firmly closed, and sugary treats are put away in closed lid containers.
  2. Empty the recycle bin and trash can daily and make sure they are clean before bringing them back to the kitchen.  All spills from the bottom of the bins have to be clean with soap and water to get rid of the sugary smell and stickiness from the bottom of the containers.
  3. Refrigerate your fruits placed in the fruit bowl. Bananas attract fruit flies to the bowl and can multiply quickly if you keep leaving them there.  Once the bananas are yellow, put them in the refrigerator and take them out as needed. The less fruit you have outside the refrigerator the better to keep fruit flies at a minimum.
  4. Pour hot water into the drains.  It is not only recommended for the kitchen sinks but bathroom and shower drain as well.  A gallon of hot water poured into the kitchen, bathroom, and shower sink should be enough to kill the fruit flies’ eggs and clear any soap build-up. You can add more hot water if you think it is necessary. Also, you can use a solution of 1 cup white vinegar, and 1 cup of baking soda to get rid of any blockage you have in the drains.  This will also allow you to have cleaner drains and fewer fruit flies in the kitchen.
  5. Clean your kitchen sink.  Make sure your kitchen sink stays clean overnight.  Snack dishes or ice cream bowls used after dinner should be rinsed and put in the dishwasher.  Dishes with a sugary smell left overnight will most certainly bring ants, fruit flies, and gnats to your kitchen.
  6. Do not store potatoes, onions, or any other root vegetable in bins in warm places where they can rot quickly. Make sure you sort all vegetables and wash them before storing them.  Make sure any vegetable with a brown or discolored spot is used quickly before it rots and contaminates all the other vegetables. Do not replenish the bins with new vegetables before taking inventory of the old ones.  Do not mix new and old ones.
  7. Gnats can be found in potted plants all year round.  Make sure you do not overwater your plants.  Potting soil that is too wet is a perfect environment for gnats. Also, make sure roots that are rotting or decaying are put in the trash can outside the home right away.
  8. Dirty glasses or dishes in your child’s bedroom can also be the reason you have flies or fruit flies in the home.  Checking your child’s bedroom for wrappers or dirty dishes might be a starting point to get rid of fruit flies.

Every year there is a season when it seems impossible to get rid of the flies, gnats, or fruit flies in the home.  By following these 8 easy tips you can have a cleaner and insect-free home all year round.

3 Home Repairs You Must Do Right Away

If you are the proud owner of a home and have been living there for many years, you are probably accustomed to the daily noises that are particular to your home. It is understandable

you are used to those noises and pay no particular attention to them because you hear them every day.  But, keep in mind that some noises can be an indication of more serious problems in the home. Therefore, it is important for you to take action to avoid costly repairs. Here are three home repairs you must do right away before they become a serious problem.

Drain pipes

If you notice the kitchen sink is not emptying as quickly as before, or you hear gurgling noises when you use the sink or run the dishwasher, you probably have a clogged kitchen pipe.  Any gurgling noises you have in any sink or bathtub means your pipes have a blockage that will eventually stop the drainage in those places. Calling a plumber before you have an emergency it’s the only solution for this problem. Furthermore, in less than an hour, a plumber will unblock any problem you have and will clear the way for the drainage to continue flawlessly.  If you wait and let the problem continue, or have an emergency, you will pay extra for any plumber to come and fix the problem.  It is better by far to be proactive and get a solution to the problem as soon as you notice there is something wrong.

Clogged Gutters

In the Northeast Ohio area, the fall season is full of chores every homeowner must do to prepare their home for winter.  Clean gutters are one of those chores that if you forget to do or choose to ignore to do it, can become expensive later on. After the leaves have fallen and before the cold weather sets in, cleaning the gutters should take precedent over many other chores.  Clogged gutters mean the rainfall and melted snow will pool around the foundation of the home and eventually seeped into the basement. If the gutters are clogged, you will hear the puddles forming around the foundation during a heavy storm. The damage might not be evident right away, but the damage is there and can become an expensive fix to do.  If and when the gutters are clean, every homeowner should make sure the spouting is firmly in place and they are not damaged.  If the spouting is damaged, it can easily be replaced at very little cost.

Leaky Roofs

A leak on the roof might not be too costly to repair if it’s small and it’s done quickly.  A roof with a leak that is not fixed quickly is bound to be expensive to fix.  If your roof is old and needs to be replaced, it is better to do it right away.  As homeowners, we tend to postpone home repairs because we cannot afford them at that particular moment, and it is very unwise to do so.  Postponing fixing a leaky roof is financially irresponsible and will be more expensive in the long run.  Call at least three companies and ask for a quote and references.  You can Google them before you call to find out what customers are saying about the company.  Look for good and bad reviews about them, and when calling them, ask a question that is particular to your problem.

There are many home repairs that are very expensive to do if they are ignored. And many homeowners believe they cannot repair them right away unless those repairs are absolutely necessary.  On the other hand, fixing roofs, gutters, spouting, and pipes in the home before it is an emergency, can save you money, and many headaches in the future as well.  It is imperative you do not postpone any of these repairs for the future.  You, without professional advice, can distinguish between a problem you can fix or one that requires professional help.

Mexican Rice Recipe

Anyone who says that my Mexican Rice Recipe is actually Spanish Rice, you are correct. However, this dish is commonly cooked in Mexico and commonly served in Mexican restaurants, and some people might be searching for Mexican Rice Recipe and wondering why they cannot find it. So I decided to post this in a way to help those people out.

This is one of those easy recipes that people always want to learn because it takes a few simple ingredients to turn plain white rice into a tasty side dish for many Latin American meals. Even if you are buying a “taco kit” and phoning in the Mexican meal, you can still benefit from authentic Mexican rice on the side.

This rice is not only excellent on the side, but it can also be part of bowls, like what you get at Chipotle, or added filler for burritos or vegetarian enchiladas. You can also mix in grilled shrimp to make a wonderful seafood and rice dish.

One of the aspects of this that makes it different is that you fry the rice before you boil it. This adds a different, slightly crispier texture to the rice and because you fry it with garlic, onion, and tomato, it absorbs those flavors into the rice kernels and makes the rice pack a bigger flavor punch.

If you have kids who do not love tomatoes, this is also a good way to get them to eat some as it is really cooked into the dish and does not feel like you are eating tomatoes, and the flavor is savory but not specific to the tomatoes. Our kids rarely at tomatoes but were huge fans of this Mexican Fried Rice Recipe.

The Mexican Rice Recipe is a base for many things, and you can put your own spin on it. I promise that when you serve it to guests though, they are going to be impressed with your authentic Mexican cooking skills, even if it is really called Spanish Rice.

This Mexican Rice Recipe can be made with an Instapot as well. In that case, simply use the saute setting and brown the ingredients the same way in the pot of the Instapot. Once they are brown, then add your liquid and seal the Instapot and cook for 4-5 minutes. The rice will be fluffy and nice, and have the same delicious flavors as the more traditional way of cooking it in a pot.

Print Recipe

Mexican Rice Recipe

Just like it is served in many Mexican restaurants, this Mexican rice recipe uses a few ingredients to make a savory and delicious mexican rice to go with many Southwest dishes.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: rice, spanish rice
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 55kcal
Cost: $2.50

Equipment

  • pan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup White Rice
  • 1 cup Water
  • 2 Roma Tomatoes Cubed
  • 2 cloves Cloves Minced
  • 1/4 cup Onion Minced
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • On medium heat, begin to saute garlic in olive oil
  • After 1 – 2 minutes, as they begin to soften, add Onion
  • Stir for 1 minute, add rice (uncooked)
  • Continue to stir regularly until mixture begins to brown and crisp
  • Add cubed tomatoes and using a potato smasher, smash tomatoes into the rice
  • Continue to simmer and stir for a minute or two, then add water
  • Add salt and bring to simmer, cover and continue to simmer for 10+ minutes, until water is absorbed 90% of the way.
  • Turn heat off or on lowest setting until water is fully absorbed. Be careful bottom rice does not burn.

Notes

This dish can be made with brown rice but cook time will be longer and you may need to add additional water to get it just right.

Save Time With These Food Preparation Tips

One of the main reasons so many people eat out is that they are so busy. If you work 8-10 hours a day and also have a commute, no wonder cooking at home is rare. However, there are a lot of things you can prep at home so that you can whip up a good healthy meal at some in less time.

White rice can be prepared in a pressure cooker or Instapot in a few minutes. The reason to prep this in advance is that cold rice is best to make fried rice of any type. There are a lot of ways to season and saute’ rice and make a nice main dish or side dish with the right things added.

  • Traditional fried rice
  • Rice and vegetable stir fry
  • Cajun beans and rice
  • Add to lentil soup or black bean soup
  • Spanish rice can be done with cold white rice as well

The reason prepping a day before is better, is that it is easier to work with if it is cold.

Next, chopped vegetables that you use regularly. If I do not prep, I might chop onions and peppers 2-3 times per day for each meal. If you have vegetables you use very regularly, and they do not turn brown fast, chop enough for a couple of meals and save them.

Black Beans or Pinto Beans – The only good way to prepare these is soaking them overnight. You must then discard the liquid and then cook them in a pressure cooker or Instapot. You can then freeze them in smaller containers after they cool and get them out as you need them. Beans in the refrigerator will only stay good 3-5 days max so you should freeze what you will not eat.

These can then be used as a refried bean side item, added to tacos, burritos, bean quesadillas, tex mex bowls, or things like soups and vegetable medleys.

Wontons for wonton soup are also a great thing to prep. Making the filling and stuffing the wontons are a lot of work, but once done you freeze them and can use a few at a time as needed. Simply heat up chicken broth and add the wontons to the broth until fully cooked and you have a great, healthy soup you can make for one person or ten people. Very handy to have ready to go.

These are just some food prep tips that can save you time and make it easier to decide to cook at home instead of eating out. Enjoy.