Shopping and Cooking in the Time of Coronavirus

[acdc01]

Moderator note: I've split this thread off from the broader coronavirus thread. - Namazu

Thanks Namazu and Greyhound.

Does anyone here have suggestions for low carb long lasting foods/meals, preferably vegan but not necessarily so? I've been grocery shopping every two weeks which I don't really need to have long lasting foods to do that. But the grocery stores are so jam packed now, even during the off hours. I'm afraid of the germs in there so I'm thinking I want to cut grocery shopping down to once a month.

I'm also seeing if there is food delivery or pick up still being offered by the supermarket but I'm not sure during these times.

[namazu]

Originally Posted by acdc01

Thanks Namazu and Greyhound.

Does anyone here have suggestions for low carb long lasting foods/meals, preferably vegan but not necessarily so? I've been grocery shopping every two weeks which I don't really need to have long lasting foods to do that. But the grocery stores are so jam packed now, even during the off hours. I'm afraid of the germs in there so I'm thinking I want to cut grocery shopping down to once a month.

I'm also seeing if there is food delivery or pick up still being offered by the supermarket but I'm not sure during these times.

How low-carb is low-carb?

I have several great soup recipes that are or could be vegan, though some of them involve squash or sweet potatoes or carrots or beans. You could make a big batch and then either eat it over the course of the week or freeze some so you don't get sick of it.

Most of my other low-carb recipes involve chicken (though that's been cleaned off the shelves, so looks like we'll be eating strictly vegetarian for a while).

For low-carb snacks that don't go bad too quickly, I like almonds a lot. Lentil-based pasta seems to be more available than wheat-based pasta, and it stores well. And of course, actual lentils and garbanzos and quinoa store well.

I tried to take advantage of Amazon's food delivery -- but while I could put everything I wanted in my cart, they didn't have any delivery slots available. I'm hoping that that will ease up after the initial food-hoarding panic wears off.

[acdc01]

Originally Posted by namazu

How low-carb is low-carb?

I have several great soup recipes that are or could be vegan, though some of them involve squash or sweet potatoes or carrots or beans. You could make a big batch and then either eat it over the course of the week or freeze some so you don't get sick of it.

Most of my other low-carb recipes involve chicken (though that's been cleaned off the shelves, so looks like we'll be eating strictly vegetarian for a while).

For low-carb snacks that don't go bad too quickly, I like almonds a lot. Lentil-based pasta seems to be more available than wheat-based pasta, and it stores well. And of course, actual lentils and garbanzos and quinoa store well.

I tried to take advantage of Amazon's food delivery -- but while I could put everything I wanted in my cart, they didn't have any delivery slots available. I'm hoping that that will ease up after the initial food-hoarding panic wears off.

I'm not really low carb, I'm low glycemic load/index carb. I believe all those ingredients you listed would meet that criteria.

What's your favorite soup recipe? I'd love to give it a try.

Safeway delivery in my area is booked out for the week but they have openings by Mon so I already ordered all my food for the next at least two weeks. We'll see how well it works. According to my sister who works in Albertsons, the lines were monstrous at the cashiers so this in theory seems better. Costed me about $10 more than usual. I wish they would make delivery or pick up free and have the media broadcast that. This would help reduce the large gatherings at the supermarket. They must be making a ton of money anyway as it seems to me they aren't having as many sales as usual.

[namazu]

Two of our go-to soup recipes are the Moosewood Basque White Bean Soup and a Spicy Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup.

I'll have to dig up the recipe for the Basque White Bean Soup, but here's the off-the-top-of-my-head version:
- butternut squash chunks (cut up yourself, or from the freezer section), maybe 1 1/2 lbs?
- celery stalks (a few)
- carrots (a few)
- onion (one, diced)
- dried thyme
- fennel powder
- water or veg broth

Saute vegetables until softened. Add spices. Add liquid. Simmer. Puree some or all of the soup (in the pot with a stick blender, or scoop into a separate blender), per your taste.

Option additions near the end:
- Pinch of saffron.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Finely chopped red bell pepper.

[Greyhound1]

Much healthier and storable options which are quick shopping and cooking.

*Frozen pizzas
*Stouffer’s frozen Lasagne
*T.V. Dinners
*Frozen fish, shrimp & scallops
*Canned or frozen vegetables
*Hotdogs
*Packaged lunch meat and cheese
*Bacon
*Frozen bread and buns
*Oreos and ice cream. (Don’t get fruit it spoils too quickly)

I got my shopping list.

[stef]

You can make a quick, nourishing soup with 1 large can of lentils (do they have canned lentils in the states?); 1 small can tomatoes, about 1 cup chicken broth, and 1 tblsp ground cumin. and a little coriander. simmer 20 min and blend with an immersion blender.

[namazu]

Originally Posted by stef

do they have canned lentils in the states?

Yes, but they can be hard to find. Dried lentils cook fairly quickly, though. Sounds tasty -- thanks for the recipe!

[stef]

Can you have quinoa? It's tasty with mixed vegetables (especially zucchini).

[acdc01]

Originally Posted by stef

Can you have quinoa? It's tasty with mixed vegetables (especially zucchini).

I've never had quinoa so will give it a try too next time I order groceries.

Quinoa is right at the border on the glycemic index between "normal" and "low" so good enough for me though I probably would only eat it in moderation (but nice to have variety). I don't really like lentils which is too bad cause I hear they are healthy for you.

[someothertime]

A few weeks ago I did lentils/dahl(orange) for a week... ( dried )

slapped em' in the microwave with some curry power, seasoning and vegetables (onion always)... YUM!

-use serving size bowl... ( overfill with water by a bit less than 1/3 )
-about 16mins on power level 4
-remove add veg, spice stir
-another 4mins on higher power

[acdc01]

Originally Posted by someothertime

slapped em' in the microwave with some curry power, seasoning and vegetables (onion always)... YUM!

I don’t really like lentils. But I do like microwave lol.

I wonder if I can do the same thing but with quinoa instead?

[stef]

I buy packets of cooked quinoa, usually I microwave a packet and mix it with vegetables.

[namazu]

I've done quinoa in the microwave before, usually with broccoli and chili powder (and then I add cheese once it comes out). Alas, I can't remember the ratio of water to quinoa, though -- is it more or less than 2:1?

[Little Missy]

Originally Posted by Greyhound1

Much healthier and storable options which are quick shopping and cooking.

*Frozen pizzas
*Stouffer’s frozen Lasagne
*T.V. Dinners
*Frozen fish, shrimp & scallops
*Canned or frozen vegetables
*Hotdogs
*Packaged lunch meat and cheese
*Bacon
*Frozen bread and buns
*Oreos and ice cream. (Don’t get fruit it spoils too quickly)

I got my shopping list.

SO Hound!