"Kajikit" wrote

> Factory-made food is almost always vile... you're really better off
> ignoring it, no matter how cheap it is. I've been tempted by pre-made
> pulled pork and ribs but I'm glad I never actually bought them -
> somebody brought a tub along to our potluck and all it tasted like was
> salt!

I've had a few things that I've liked but generally avoid 'pre-made'. The
exceptions would be some of the Harris Teeter dips (I like the smoked salmon
and crab ones).

They aren't anything I 'cant make myself' but they make them how I like them
and the price isnt too far off the basic ingredients.

Last Sunday I was at the local BJ's and Charlotte and I were laughing at
some of the pre-made things and prices. There was a pre-pack of chicken
with peppers, onions, and Italian dressing (looked like Seven Seas brand).
This was 3.99/lb. It wasnt boneless skinless chicken. It was 1 breast, one
thigh, one wing, 1 leg or a double pack with a whole cutup chicken vice 1/2
of one.

The same chicken parts were down the row a bit at 1.19/lb and whole chickens
were .89/lb. Now, I will save time often and get cut up parts, and since we
all in my house prefer dark meat, we get thighs or leg quarters which were
1.09/lb that day.

I got a bag of onions and the amount in the pre-made package was about 1
which out of the bag would be about 25cents worth. Then I got a larger
mixed color bag of peppers of which matched up to the amount in the pre-made
was about 50cents worth. If I wanted to do the italian dressing, the 1/2
cup or so would cost 50cents but I happen to like making my own so the oil,
vinegar and spices at home would run about 15cents.

1.09+.25+.50+.50=2.34 at highest estimate. Yes, I know they need to make a
profit but thats 1.65/lb profit to avoid chopping 1 onion, 1 green pepper
and one red pepper. What's worse is I am sure the chopped peppers and onion
were ones with bad spots cut out and the better parts recycled to make a
profit. (something I'm happy to do at home but damned if I'll pay a markup
of 1.65/lb for them to do it!)

Did I make that dish? No, as it doesnt appeal to me but it made a nice
little fun with Charlotte who will NOT be a clueless shopper when she moves
out. I started teaching her when she was 8.