11 Store-Bought Foods People Only Use For One Thing (But Have Way More Uses) - Tasting Table

"Lots of pre-made, packaged foods are designed to make our lives easier. Canned biscuits jump-start breakfast, instant mashed potatoes and frozen hash browns eliminate tedious preparation, and instant noodles give us ramen in three minutes. Shortcuts are welcome in the kitchen, but what happens when too many store-bought labels catch your eye and suddenly your pantry is cartoon-level packed, on the brink of collapsing? Sometimes a recipe calls for a specific ingredient that ultimately ends up in cabinet clutter, but not to worry. There are a slew of creative ways to repurpose store-bought foods into new and improved recipes fit for morning, noon, and night."

"The most useful ingredients in a well-stocked kitchen are rarely the exciting ones. It's not the fancy finishing salt or the imported olive oil that gets the job done on a Tuesday night, but that lone can of chickpeas or frozen puff pastry nearing freezer burn territory. Many store-bought foods are marketed with one very specific job in mind, but they're far more versatile than their packaging suggests. Too many home cooks reach for these store-bought foods with only one thing in mind, but each is capable of a whole lot more."

"The box illustrates exactly what these pre-made doughs are intended for: pies and pastries. It's no secret that puff pastry is versatile. It's the flaky layers behind sweets like Danishes and turnovers, but also the perfect buttery topping for savory pot pies. Pie crust, which is much denser than airy puff pastry sheets, comes ready for pie presentation. That might feel limiting, but there are so many creative ways to use up leftover pie crust that are far beyond the expected sweets."

"Roll the dough into crackers with mixed herbs for a swanky cheese platter, fold a spicy beef mixture into them for empanadas, or scoop them onto a baking sheet for simple sugar cookies. Puff pastry is the notable star of beef Wellington, but it can also be mixed with shredded cheese a"

Pre-made packaged foods simplify cooking but can lead to pantry clutter when items are bought for single uses. Many useful staples are not the most exciting ingredients, such as chickpeas or frozen puff pastry, yet they enable a wide range of recipes. Pre-made doughs like pie crust and puff pastry are intended for pies and pastries, but they also work for savory dishes and snacks. Puff pastry can top savory pot pies and be used in beef Wellington, while pie crust can be rolled into herb crackers, folded around spicy beef for empanadas, or baked into simple sugar cookies. Repurposing helps turn overlooked ingredients into new meals for any time of day.

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