I have changed the way I cook since having kids. I was fortunate enough to have a lady speak at my MOPS group a couple years ago and it was simple, practical, but revolutionary for me. Some it I had done before having kids but had stopped in that fogged haze called breast feeding. But after hearing her share I realized how much I needed to do these simple steps because too often I stood staring at the freezer wondering what lump of meat I should thaw for dinner that night and then what do I do with it.
So to begin with I made a list of all the dishes both my husband and I like to eat, and I don’t mind cooking. Then I began making a monthly schedule of what we would make for dinner each night. This helps in a couple ways, I know exactly what to thaw for dinner that night and what I need to do with it. And it helps with grocery shopping because I can use it to make my list and not be stuck in that situation where I’m making something and realize I’m missing that important ingredient. I now keep a calendar on the front of the fridge with our meals on it and I keep a copy in my coupon file so I have it at the store with me in case I need to reference it. I would make Saturdays experiment night to try out those recipes I’d torn out of a magazine and that way if it turned out to be more work than it looked like my husband would be able to wrangle the kids while I’m cooking, or if it turned out gross I could quickly whip something else up. And Sunday nights is breakfast foods night, it’s not fair that my husband gets to just sit around all day and I have to cook, so in an effort to be relaxed on the weekend I serve either eggs, waffles, pancakes, or french toast. Quick, easy, and everyone likes it. And since I never make breakfast it’s the only time we’d get those great comfort foods.
Meal planning can also save you money because you won’t buy random things thinking you’ll use it one day and then dig through your fridge and find things you have to throw out. And it saves lots of time. Tonight I was working on what she calls Plannedovers. Instead of leftovers you plan on making more than you need and freeze extra meals for the future. Like this evening I made 4xs the empanada filling I need for this week, so I will have what I need for this week and 3 more for future weeks. It saves time because I only have to cook it once, in one pan, only clean once, and those future weeks all I have to do is thaw it and reheat. So now with all our favorite stews, chili, lasagna, etc I make 4xs what I need to save time and energy. There’s no greater feeling than pulling a meal out in the morning and know all you have to do is thaw and reheat your evening meal.
I also do this with our favorite marinade recipes, since you already have the ingredients out already I will make multiples and freeze them for when I need them. I mix them up in slideloc bags, write what they are on the bag and any directions like bake for 30min at 350. Then that morning I can pull the correct bag out, pop my frozen chicken in the bag, and leave it on the counter to thaw. Throughout the day I will flip the bag around to make sure all sides are well marinated, then I will line my cookie sheet with foil and bake with easy clean up. If you tend to forget to thaw in the rush in the morning you could pull your foods the night before and thaw them in the fridge, that way it’s one less thing to think about in the morning.
I tend to do quick easy meals that take less than 30mins from start to finish. I like the frozen Tyson chicken breasts that I can get at Sams or BJs, the are the right size and all I have to do is pop them in my marinade bag and thaw. Chicken can be one of the easiest meals I make because I pop it in the oven for 30-40min or grill it. And microwave potatoes or bake biscuits, bagged salad with toppings of our choosing and bam dinners done. I can go about other things and come back for the last 10min to put the salad and potatoes together and set out dishes.