Even though I am retired, I still lead a busy and active life. I am no stay at home lady. Therefore, when it is time for meals, I have to plan to make dinners go smoother, easier, and faster. Here’s three simple things I do:
- I prepare my main entrees like meat loaf from scratch–own bread crumbs, eggs, spices, meat, tomato sauce, fresh onions and garlic–then portion it into the sizes I need planning on a small one for just hubby and me, a medium one of we have a guest or two, and a large one when we have a house full. When it’s baked, one is for dinner and the others go into the freezer. (I have a seal-a-meal.)
- I take the night’s leftovers and put them into a freezable container. ( Ziplock has great ones out that are inexpensive and disposable.) I put my home packaged tv dinner into the freezer. This way hubby doesn’t complain about the same old, same old. That way I have a quickie meal for myself if everyone is out, or I have a quickie meal for hubby if I choose not to cook.
- I keep a large selection of plastic bags on hand in a variety of sizes–snack, sandwich, quart, and gallon. I buy fruits like pineapples, cantalope, watermelon, honeydew whole then peel them and cut them into small bite size pieces. I put them in a large bag–no refrig odor that way. I also take fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, celery, grape or cherry tomatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc. and put them into the bags. I cube chunks of cold cuts and cheese. I even cut up leftover meats and freeze them. With a bag of stir fry and some instant rice, it’s a great meal. I take out what I need and prepare things without any delay since they are the right size for cooking and salads. Boy, can I ever whip up a great chef salad in a flash!
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on Oct 13th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
hey Pat is that your Fridge in the picture???? tee hee great ideas in the review…my hubby doesnt like frozen leftovers so im sort a S—— .
on Oct 14th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Birdie,
Actually mine is similar but smaller in ivory with its icemaker on the bottom. Hubby can be a pain. I suppose it is universal.
Pat.
on Oct 18th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I cook like you do, Pat! I especially like the small bags of items for stir-fry and salads. I have done that with meats before, but not cheeses. Great idea!
on Oct 18th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Nancy,
I hate wasting. Probably it comes from the stories my parents told of hard times and the derpreesion.Pat.
on Oct 20th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Hi Pat!
Thanks for the great tips! We LOVE meatloaf around here and freezing another batch is a fantastic idea! The stirfry idea I really love,too. I have always wanted a seal-a meal. I wonder how long you can leave foods in the freezer,without getting freezer burn? such as vegetables and meat. Thanks!
on Oct 21st, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I love the idea too of making meatloaf’s in the different sizes to freeze for a future use!
on Oct 21st, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Deb K,
I find it cheaper to buy in bulk and to make at least two meals at once to free my time up for other things.
Pat.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I think I may give the freezing food thing a try. I have never done it and just in my own mind thought that it would taste strange after you thaw it out. Does it taste the same as if it were served fresh?
on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 am
VJ,
Of course not but neither does fast food or frozen packaged food. Still it compares well above IF you are a decent cook and do not overdo.
Pat.