I happen to enjoy shopping at the grocery store. I love to poke around in the produce department and look for good buys from the butcher. I like to save money when I can and still eat well. I am a Frugal Chef if there ever was one.
All Frugal Chefs love their crockpots. A crockpot can take a relatively inexpensive cut of meat, like a chuck roast, and turn it into a company worthy entrée. It also saves time and allows the cook to put a meal on in the morning and return that evening with a ready-to-serve dinner.
A few months ago, my wife Nancy, knowing how much I enjoy crockpot cookery, gave me a package of crockpot liners made by Reynolds. They are plastic, self-contained bags with which to line the crockpot before use. Cleaning a crockpot that has been cooking cheeses, soups and whatever for 10 or 12 hours can be most difficult, requiring lengthy soaking and/or heavy duty scrubbing, so I tried out one of the bags and it worked like a charm. The bags don’t cost a fortune, they come four to a box and run for just under three dollars – a decent value when it’s clean up time, but I – the Frugal Chef – wondered if there may be a less expensive alternative.
Last week, I discovered I had used the last liner from my box and decided to experiment. I happen to have a large roll of parchment paper, also made by Reynolds, and tore off a big sheet, lined the pot as best I could, and it worked great. A simple once-over with a hot, soapy dishrag was all it took to clean up the aftermath of my Super Easy Chicken Casserole. Here’s the recipe I used. Nothing special, but it’s awfully tasty and easy to throw together.
Super Easy Chicken Casserole
Frozen skinless breast filets (1 or more per person)
1 can Campbell’s cream of chicken soup
1 small can mushroom caps and stems
1 small sliced onion
1 18-inch sheet of Reynolds parchment paper
Salt and pepper to taste
First and foremost, remember to use the sheet of parchment paper. I often forget. Line the crockpot bottom and side, then add the frozen fillets (fresh is better), but the frozen Tyson filets are nearly as good and they are most convenient. No defrosting necessary. Then, add the mushrooms and juice from the can, and a small, sliced onion. Salt and pepper to taste and it’s ready when you are. The easy clean up is the best part of all.