I say 'inner bag' because more manufacturers are getting away from the box with the inner bag and going to just the bag. These inner bags have changed over the years. They use to be rather thin and a lot like regular waxed paper. They served their purpose well, but weren't ideal for a lot of reuse.
The bags have changed over time. Have you noticed how tough they are? I can't imagine why they're so tough, but it's to our advantage.
I've been saving these bags, thinking someday I'll find a use for them. They would be ideal as reusable (and easily cleaned) wrapping for sandwiches. But then, I'm not in the regular work force, I'm not a student and I haven't been on a picnic in decades.
Yesterday, I bought and fried some chicken breasts, my first in years. The breasts were large and quite thick. I thought I would do well to flatten them a bit, so I did.
Not cooking as I use to, my supplies and equipment are sparse. I didn't have any baggies large enough and strong enough to put the breasts in for pounding. The cereal bags came to mind.
I got one of my bags which I had opened flat, cleaned, folded and stored away. I put a breast to one side on the bag and folded the other side over the breast. I pounded away til the breast was twice in surface size. It took some hard pounding.
When I finished, the bag was as good as new, not a mark on it. So, it was cleaned and put away for future use. Here is a freebie that is truly useful.
I dipped the breasts in buttermilk and coated them with flour seasoned with a light barbecue seasoning, a packet of chicken flavor saved from a pack of noodles, salt and pepper, and fried them in coconut oil.
I saved the grease, added some of the seasoned flour and made a rather tastey gravy.
The chicken, the gravy, and a huge hoe cake for drizzling with the gravy (I was too lazy to make individual biscuits), made my meal. And you know what? It was good!
I don't cook a lot of meat, but when I do, and if it needs flattening, I will use these free inner cereal bags. They are super tough.
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This is the perfect way to save your Easter ham. A big ham fits perfectly in a recycled bag from a large box of cereal. For ham, I especially like the very large corn flakes bags.
I am starting to sell things on Ebay. I recently read an article that suggested reusing what we already have. From here on, my packaging material will include at least one of the bags from the cereal box.
I seldom use waxed paper. In fact I usually only use it when my husband makes hamburgers on the grill, to layer the raw patties in so they won't stick.
The bags that cereal comes in are great for storing all the leftover veggies in the freezer. I use a clothespin or chip clip to hold it closed.
You can use cereal box liners for tracing patterns and cutting sewing patterns. When cereal box liners are empty, carefully pull them apart to flatten at the seams.
Use the waxed paper liners from cereal boxes instead of buying waxed paper. It is much stronger than the conventional waxed paper.
This is extremely strong and waterproof material with many possible uses. I store leftovers in them. Or open the seam and flatten to use in place of wax paper for wrapping sandwiches or lining piecrust for "blind-baking." Prevent splattering when reheating dishes in the microwave.
I use the cereal box liners as a protective surface when children are painting or gluing. Open the bag up on the seam so that you have a good size surface.
After a box of cereal is done I save the inner wax bag to reuse as wax paper. I cut it to lay it out flat, to use it to protect the kitchen table when the kids are doing craft projects or using playdoh.
One thing I do as an avid recycler is to use the empty bag inside the cereal box for crushing graham crackers to make crust. I use crackers and dried bread to make crumbs for meatloaf.
The waxed paper liners from cereal and cracker boxes have so many uses. The paper is very good quality. After you finish your box of cereal, take out the liner, and open it up so it can lie flat.
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I don't use very much waxed paper-usually just for crafts or to make hamburgers on for the grill, so I don't like buying it.
