When it comes to determining what foods are better purchased “already cooked” rather than preparing them yourself, there are a few factors to consider. While some may argue that cooking your own meals allows for more control over the ingredients and nutritional value, there are certain instances where convenience and cost-saving factors outweigh the benefits of homemade cooking. In this article, we will explore a variety of food categories and identify which ones are better suited for purchasing already cooked.
1. Baked Goods:
When it comes to baked goods, such as bread, pastries, and cakes, purchasing them from a reputable bakery or grocery store can often be a more practical choice than baking them from scratch. These establishments have experienced bakers who have perfected their recipes over time, ensuring consistency in taste and texture. Additionally, the equipment and expertise required for baking can be quite costly and time-consuming, making it more economical to buy these items pre-made.
2. Ethnic Dishes:
Preparing authentic ethnic dishes can be a daunting task, especially for those who are not familiar with the cuisine. Whether it’s Indian curries, Chinese stir-fry, or Italian pasta sauces, these dishes often require a wide range of spices, ingredients, and cooking techniques that may not be readily available in most kitchens. Opting for pre-packaged or ready-to-eat versions of these dishes allows you to enjoy the flavors and complexity of international cuisine without the hassle and potential disappointment of trying to recreate them from scratch.
3. Deli Meats and Cheeses:
Delicatessen meats and cheeses are staples in many households, as they can be used in sandwiches, salads, or charcuterie boards. While it is possible to slice your own meats and cheeses, purchasing them pre-sliced from a deli counter or pre-packaged saves time and ensures consistent thickness. Additionally, deli counters often have a wide variety of options, including specialty or hard-to-find items, making it a convenient choice for those seeking diverse flavors.
4. Frozen Foods:
Frozen foods have come a long way in terms of quality and variety. Whether it’s frozen pizzas, vegetables, or pre-prepared meals, these items often offer the convenience of being ready to eat or requiring minimal preparation. Frozen foods can be a lifesaver on busy days when time and energy are limited. They are also great for portion control, as single-serve frozen meals are often already proportioned to the recommended serving size.
5. Gourmet or Specialty Items:
Gourmet or specialty foods, such as artisanal sauces, marinades, or high-end charcuterie, can be costly and time-consuming to prepare from scratch. These items are often made by skilled artisans who have honed their craft over years of practice. By purchasing these products, you are not only supporting local businesses but also gaining access to flavors and ingredients that may not be readily available in your area.
6. Ready-to-Eat Meals:
Ready-to-eat meals, commonly found in the refrigerated or deli section of grocery stores, are specifically designed for quick and convenient consumption. These meals often include a variety of main dishes, sides, and desserts, all of which are typically pre-cooked and packaged to be reheated when needed. They are particularly popular among busy individuals or those who lack culinary skills, providing a hassle-free option for a satisfying meal without the effort of cooking.
7. Seafood and Sushi:
Preparing seafood can be intimidating for many home cooks due to factors such as freshness, sourcing, and appropriate cooking techniques. In such cases, purchasing seafood, especially pre-cooked or pre-seasoned options, can offer a more reliable and convenient alternative. Freshly caught seafood often requires immediate cooking to preserve its delicate flavors and textures, making it ideal to rely on professional seafood markets or restaurants for premium quality.
Sushi, a beloved delicacy from Japan, is another food best left to the experts. Cooking and preparing sushi rice, slicing raw fish, and assembling rolls with finesse require years of practice to perfect. Ordering sushi from a reputable sushi restaurant not only ensures food safety but also guarantees an authentic taste experience that might be challenging to replicate at home.
8. Specialty Baking:
Certain baked goods fall under the category of specialty items that are best purchased rather than prepared at home. These include desserts like macarons, croissants, and intricate cakes. Specialty baking often involves precision, knowledge of specific techniques, and access to specific tools or ingredients that may not be readily available to home cooks. By opting for pre-made specialty baked goods, you can indulge in these delicacies without the stress and potential disappointment of trying to replicate them yourself.
It is worth noting that while purchasing “already cooked” foods may be convenient and cost-effective in certain situations, it is essential to be mindful of the nutritional value and potential additives or preservatives. Reading ingredient lists and understanding the sourcing and production methods are crucial when making informed choices about pre-made foods.
In conclusion, there are several food categories where purchasing “already cooked” items can be a practical decision. These include baked goods, ethnic dishes, deli meats and cheeses, frozen foods, gourmet or specialty items, ready-to-eat meals, seafood and sushi, and specialty baked goods. By taking advantage of the convenience and expertise offered by reputable establishments, you can satisfy your culinary cravings while saving time and effort in the kitchen.
Puff pastry. Ravioli.
Rotisserie chicken
Cheese
Snything deep fried/breaded. Its already not healthy cooking it aint gonna fix the healthy part of it like many other foods would.
Tonkotsu style ramen. The pork bone broth has to cook for days.
Pho
Filo pastry
Ravioli. I once made ravioli from scratch as a project with my daughters (aged 7 and 9).
First we minced the pork filling, sliced and fried onions, added herbs, and then cooked the mixture on the stove. We then made the pasta by hand, mixing flour and eggs until it became a paste and then rolling it out with a pasta machine until it was silky and smooth.
I had a suitable mould so we rolled the pasta out, filled the tray with spoonfuls of the meat and then cooked the now-prepared ravioli in boiling salted water. In the meantime we had cooked some more onions and herbs from the garden and added 1kg of tomatoes from the vegetable plot. This we then sieved and reduced to make a thick tomato sauce.
Finally we grated some parmesan, added the ravioli to the sauce and served the result to the rest of the family. Time taken: about 4 hours from start to finish, including the washing up.
Verdict: really good, tasted just Heinz’s best canned produce.
Never again.
Kebab, the way the meat is cooked. I managed to get quite close to the taste I’m looking for, but I doubt it’s worth it even from utility cost perspective not to mention time and effort.
Croissants. Curiously looked up how to make from scratch. Hard no from me.
French fries. To get them really right you have to soak out excess starch for a while and double fry. It takes forever!
(That’s also why In N Out’s super fresh, straight-from-the-potato fries suck so much. Because that’s a terrible way to make fries!)
Pretty much anything deep fried. It’s a simple process that almost any restaurant can do perfectly well for most foods, but it doesn’t scale well to a home kitchen at all. You end up making messes, possibly scalding yourself, and having to figure out what to do with a big leftover pot of oil just to get something that’s maybe marginally better than what you could’ve gotten at a restaurant for probably less money.
Unless you really want to make dozens of them- tamales.
Crackers
Pho soup from scratch.
Baklava, spanakopita, and papusas.
most fried stuff. don’t like the cleanup.
Ramen.
No one has 18hrs to boil pork bones and trotters.
Fish and chips from the fish and chips shop.
Who needs to roast their own chicken when it magically appears at the grocery store? Bless you, rotisserie gods!
Dim sum anything- basically all dumplings
Tater tots. I will never be able to grate potatoes without slicing my fingers.
Gyros. Yeah, good luck cooking that at home (and I mean properly cooking, not an imitation).
Not food but a condiment: ketchup. I once made my own out of fresh tomatoes, it took 3 hours and ended up tasting like any cheap no-name ketchup from a supermarket.
My local grocery store makes the best fried chicken – better than I can make.
Also rotisserie chicken from Costco – cheaper and better than I could ever make.
Eggrolls
Tried making them once and almost half of them tore up. Better to just buy them by the box.
Beignets. Born and raised in the New Orleans area, but I have failed on every homemade attempt. I am ashamed.
KETCHUP.
Don’t do it. Don’t put yourself through it.
I was intensely curious, and decided to make some diabetic friendly ketchup for my mom. I got the purest and freshest ingredients I could. Then spent 2-3 days slowcooking and refining it.
What did I get?
Ketchup. It tasted and looked identical to Heinz. Who, I learned later, already make their own diabetic friendly ketchup.
There’s a book for this concept called Make the Bread, Buy the Butter
Here is my top three Ive personally tried
1. Rotisserie chicken – don’t even bother you don’t get the same taste nor crunchyness
2. Croissants – these took me a whole afternoon to fold over and over again and they still failed
3. Vol-au-vent – actually worth it if you have the time, super delicious but takes you sooo much time, better to go to a restaurant instead, you get the homemade version without the time spent on making it