Monday, January 09, 2006

Cook extra and refrigerate or freeze meals for future use

Cook extra and refrigerate or freeze meals for future use

We all have cooked extra and refrigerated or froze meals for future us. Just think turkey. Those of us lucky to have leftovers, maybe had enough for two or three days of turkey sandwiches and even a dinner entree. Plastic wrap, sealable plastic bags, and sealable containers help make storing easy.

We specialize in spagetti, stew, and chicken rice soup. We generally eat some on the day we prepare it and then put the rest into containers for future use. because we know we will eat the extras within a couple of days we normally refrigerate it and do not freeze it.

We leave enough turkey or beef roast for sandwiches in the refrigerator but we freeze enough for a future dinner entree.

A great idea we just started was to peel, slice, and boil enough potatoes at one time for mashed potatoes that evening, and potato salad and home fries for future use.

We also try to use the storage containers to prepare and serve the leftovers to minimize cleanup. Some things can be heated up in the microwave in the storage container.

Preparing meals in advance can save time and money because you can be eating in 5 to 15 minutes heating something up when you don't feel like cooking. You have the meal in the house and don't have to go shopping or to a restaurant. You'll be eating healthier too. Cleanup is much quicker too.