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Hotmamma408
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/08 692 total posts
Name:
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Cooking for the week
I don't usually cook ahead for the week, but I'd like to start. My question is, how long will a prepared meal stay in the refrigerator? I know many people cook on Sundays for the week, but how many meals would you prep? Also, what do you do with leftovers when you do eat the meal?
Message edited 9/4/2011 3:25:09 PM.
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Posted 9/2/11 9:59 PM  |
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Hotmamma408
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/08 692 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cooking for the week
BUMP
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| Posted 9/4/11 3:24 PM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: Cooking for the week
I don't cook for the whole week - but I will sometimes prep stuff.
How long things last (quality and taste) really depends on what you are making. Pasta generally freezes well so if you make it on Sunday and pop it in the freezer it should be good to defrost and cook later in the week or even later in the month!
I don't like pre-cooking my meats unless I am using it for sandwiches or salads. But if I make something and want to eat it for leftovers I would eat within 3-4 days if kept well covered in the fridge.
I will chop veggies and bag them for later in the week.. sometimes up to 2 days in advance. I keep my meats in the converter drawer in the fridge for 2-3 days with no issues.
I find that starches keep pretty well when pre-made. I've used leftover mashed potatoes on shepherds pie up to 4 days later!
I don't know if this is what you are looking .. I wish I could be more helpful!
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| Posted 9/4/11 4:30 PM |
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shapla79
Where Does The Time Go?
Member since 11/07 4619 total posts
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Re: Cooking for the week
I don't cook ahead for the whole week, but I tend to cook at least double what I need 3 days a week (Fri - Sun). I either freeze the second portion, or I'll serve it as leftovers later in the week. For example, if I plan to serve meatloaf on Friday, I'll make two loaves and freeze one for later. That second loaf gets frozen in single or double servings so I don't waste a whole defrosted loaf.
When I eat leftovers, I don't leave it in the fridge more than 3 days. If there is at least a serving left at that point, I freeze it so it doesn't go to waste. Leftovers sometimes get re-purposed into other meals. A whole roasted chicken leftover on a Friday usually turns into chicken paninis on a Monday. HTH!
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| Posted 9/4/11 6:02 PM |
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Hotmamma408
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/08 692 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cooking for the week
Thank you! 
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| Posted 9/4/11 6:56 PM |
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jerseychick
LIF Adult
Member since 4/09 3923 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cooking for the week
On Sundays, I usually cook one big dish (a pot of soup, a casserole, etc.) that will last 2-3 nights. Whatever night(s) we are going to eat that, I just take out a serving for each of us, and heat it in the microwave. We finish that dish by Wednesday, Thursday at the latest. Yes, it is boring to eat the same thing a few nights, but it don't really want to spend time cooking when I get home from work. The other nights, I make something quick and easy--pasta, english muffin pizzas, etc.
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| Posted 9/5/11 8:45 AM |
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MrsH
LIF Adolescent
Member since 3/07 766 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cooking for the week
My sister just sent me this blog-I am going to try some of these meals.
http://joelens.blogspot.com/2007/01/freezer-friendlymake-ahead.html
The blogger even tells you at what point in the recipe to freeze it and then what to do when you thaw it out. The recipes look really good!
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| Posted 9/5/11 10:12 PM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: Cooking for the week
Posted by MrsH
My sister just sent me this blog-I am going to try some of these meals.
http://joelens.blogspot.com/2007/01/freezer-friendlymake-ahead.html
The blogger even tells you at what point in the recipe to freeze it and then what to do when you thaw it out. The recipes look really good!
COOL! Thanks for sharing!
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| Posted 9/6/11 7:35 AM |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cooking for the week
Posted by shapla79
I don't cook ahead for the whole week, but I tend to cook at least double what I need 3 days a week (Fri - Sun). I either freeze the second portion, or I'll serve it as leftovers later in the week. For example, if I plan to serve meatloaf on Friday, I'll make two loaves and freeze one for later. That second loaf gets frozen in single or double servings so I don't waste a whole defrosted loaf.
When I eat leftovers, I don't leave it in the fridge more than 3 days. If there is at least a serving left at that point, I freeze it so it doesn't go to waste. Leftovers sometimes get re-purposed into other meals. A whole roasted chicken leftover on a Friday usually turns into chicken paninis on a Monday. HTH!
I would say I have a very similar strategy. At times, I purposely make extra. Other times I just freeze what we won't get around to eating. I try to cook 2 or 3 days a week and then pull from the freezer the rest of the time. On weekends, I try to throw an extra meal together, maybe in the crockpot or something to build my freezer supply.
You may also want to look into a Foodsaver or other vacuum sealer. It makes it so easy to throw meals in the freezer and extends the shelf life. I pull them out the night before, cut a small vent, and throw them in the microwave. In a pinch, you can toss the frozen bag in boiling water and heat it through as well.
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| Posted 9/6/11 5:04 PM |
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