I’ve spent a lot of time recently cooking, and banking. One of the things I’ve experimented with is making things ahead. In some cases, I’ve gone whole hog, making extra casseroles and bread and freezing for later. Honestly I wasn’t into the idea at first, because it felt like I was turning into some sort of robot mom version of myself, and then I realized that its a lot easier to have stuff pre-made and ready to go than having to come up with something at the end of the day. The lazy person in me really likes that idea, so now I’m all about it.* I first read about the idea on a lot of frugal blogs, which I read a LOT of these days – I think this one, from WiseBread is one of my favorites, but my mom also did a lot of it when she was here while AJ when was born.
So far, I’ve baked bread and frozen it**, made cassaroles and frozen them, cookies and browned a ton of hamburger and meatballs for use in the future. I have a long way to go (I’ve yet to blanch veggies and freeze them, like my mom did) but I’ve found that even having pre-browned hamburger ready to go to make into *something* cuts my cooking time in half. Since I got used to having a full meal as a kid (sit down, with multiple side dishes & a salad) I do the same thing for me and Jason. It’s funny, because had I done this when I was working in an actual office, I think life would have been a lot less stressful.
Right now I’m collecting recipes that work really well so if anyone has any feel free to pass them along. And please, remember I’m in my post baby diet phase, so keep it light.***
*However, there are some ladies out there who devote a whole day to cooking ahead. I myself am not that disciplined, and enjoy just doing it when I get bored or get an itch to cook. I just double whatever I make.
**The secret to freezing the bread? Wrap it up in several layers of foil and/or plastic wrap and put in a freezer bag. This is my favorite bread recipe.
***However, I totally have become addicted to this Mac and Cheese recipe from Southern Living. I use bacon instead of parma ham, and the thing to remember is that this recipe? Is evil.
20/11/2009 at 8:42 am Permalink
You and my wife are a lot alike. She has just recently started doing this. A month or two ago she did a “baking day” (really a food prep day) where she prepared a bunch of easily freezable meals, or portions of meals for future dinners. She got a bunch of idea from a book like this (http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Panic-Dinners-Freezer-Great-Tasting/dp/B002T4511S/ref=wl_it_dp_v?ie=UTF8&coliid=I13FAJW591RXI5&colid=1KRVOTQKHU74F) for how to prepare stuff, lay it flat in ziplock bags, and really make the most of the freezer space. I think that’s the book she used, not 100% positive, though.
At any rate, it was a smashing success, saving her lots of time in the evenings. She’s got another day o’ cooking coming up this Saturday.
20/11/2009 at 1:11 pm Permalink
That’s exactly what I did! (But I didn’t use the book). My mom actually showed me how to individually freeze things like meatballs too – that helped a lot.
It’s too bad we don’t live closer – she and I would probably get along!
23/11/2009 at 10:43 am Permalink
I think you definitely would. Let me know the next time you’ll be in town. It’d be fun to get together and catch up.
08/12/2009 at 7:51 am Permalink
Yes indeed! I’m hoping to come back again in February….my parents are moving out here, so I want to help my mom pack a few things up.