How to Cook Meals in Advance

Everyone's so busy nowadays, so who has time for cooking? Maybe you have to come up with a lot of meals for a busy work week or company arrives at your home unannounced.

Will you be prepared? If you do not have a dishwasher or a larger, accommodating kitchen, these tips can be lifesavers.

Ahead are some ideas to help get you started on cooking at least five weeknight meals in advance. You do not need special recipes or cookware--just a desire to get cooking out of the way. This could help restore harmony to your home and family life.

See the links below this article for some actual recipes, ideas and ingredients. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Ideally, try to set aside some time (about three to four hours) that you can dedicate to cooking and preparing food. You can also search recipe books during this block of time.

Start deciding on and selecting pots, baking dishes and pans you will use.

2

If you are cooking ground beef or turkey recipes, fry about three pounds all at once and divide into four equal portions. If you are unsure if or when you will use the unneeded portions, place portions in a plastic container or freezer proof bag or dish for later use. Then label and freeze until needed again.

Repeat this process with chicken or fish as well.

3

If you are grilling food on an indoor or outdoor grill, cook several types of meats and veggies for the entire week.

You can wrap potatoes and veggies in aluminum foil packs on the outdoor grill or put in the oven in a casserole dish and bake all at once.

On a George Foreman type Indoor grill, cook burgers then store in refrigerator or freezer. Then follow with fish with an Italian seasoning breading (if desired), grilled brats, chicken or steak. You can then grill any veggies and make a potato or quick side dish. That way you only clean the grill and kitchen once and it is hot all the way through.

4

If you are baking, prepare any main dishes and desserts such as pies, cookies and cakes at the same time if your oven space allows. You can also cook main dishes in one round and desserts in another.

5

When the meals are prepared, take one or two portions and freeze them so you will have your own TV dinners for those nights when you are too rushed to prepare food or you have been away from home and ingredients are scarce.

6

You can cook noodles and sauces and freeze separately and then use as needed. Add a little meat and with a quick zap of the microwave, you will have dinner on hand.

7

Let your slow cooker make your home life easier. Have a chicken week! Place an entire package of chicken breasts on high for at least five hours. Remove, then chop and shred chicken. Use in chicken enchiladas or burritos, salads, stir fry, pulled barbecue chicken sandwiches, chicken soup and any other chicken recipes you wish.

8

In the oven, cook an entire turkey (or pork/beef roast), potatoes, veggies and stuffing and then portion up into individual servings for 1 to 2 meals. Use the rest of the turkey for pot pie, soup, salads, noodle casserole and any turkey recipes of your choosing.

9

Did you bring home a bag of potatoes? Don't let them sit. If you are able, peel them and put them to good use as mashed potatoes. Prepare and freeze in freezer or plastic containers and/or bags.
Store what you will use right away in the refrigerator as a quick side or use them to fill out proportioned plates for your family.

10

Always have pizza, TV dinners or some form of cooked chicken on hand to fill in those nights where you are too tired to cook and do not have anything left over.

11

Soups also are an easy choice, but do not let your family grow tired of the same one. Freeze half of one soup and half of another variety and serve at two different times during the month.

12

The benefit of taking these steps is that you only cook once or twice a week and cleanup is minimal. Freezing leftovers will help you have lunches to take to work and microwave or a quick dinner when no one else is eating or you have different schedules.