Has anyone ever tried cook for a day, eat for a month meal planning? I'd like to do something similar to that, except I'd like to cook only a weeks worth of meals in a day to begin with. What are some tips on how to do this?

Another question, does anyone know how cook single serving meals for only one person? Most people I know that live alone don't do much cooking.

By Bea on Saturday, October 4, 2008 - 04:37 pm:

I love to cook large, and now there's only Karl and I here. I still cook large and freeze. I make meatballs with 2 pounds each of ground beef and pork, and one pound of ground veal. Then I fry 5 pounds of meatballs at one time. I make a huge pot of tomato sauce, and put two helpings of meatballs and sauce into small containers to freeze. I also have those divided lidded plastic plates on which I freeze things like meatloaf slices mashed potatoes & a veggy for later meals. I always make large cuts of meat or poultry and freeze what's left for later. If I'm baking potatoes I bake extra (almost) and freeze them for later meals. I make large lasagnas and casseroles to freeze in portions. I stuff jumbo pasta shells with cheese and spinach, and freeze them in a plastic bag, so I can use as many as I need at a time. Meals like sauerkraut roast pork and mashed potatoes freeze well on divided covered plates. I buy or make Alfredo sauce or Vodka sauce and add frozen shrimp and chicken to serve over pasta, with a salad. Tonight, I'm using left over pot roast to make Beef Stroganov. I'll serve it with egg noodles and a vegetable and then divide what's left on to covered plates to freeze for later.

By Momofmax on Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 12:02 am:

Oh wow, all of that sounds so yummy! I have some new ideas for dinners! I don't mind cooking but I hate to think of WHAT to cook each day! Thanks!

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 12:27 am:

Wow, Bea, you basically make your own TV dinners. They do sound good. I don't have that much freezer space, though.

By Karen~admin on Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 06:37 am:

We used to have a member (Barb) some years ago who used to do that kind of cooking monthly. As I recall, she had several kids, home schooled and cooked one weekend a month, totally planning her meals ahead.

When my kids were all living at home, and even when it was down to 2 of them and me, I used to do that a couple times a year, but never monthly. I usually did that in the cooler weather, when I was cooking *heavy* foods such as red beans and rice, lasagna, chilli, stews, etc., that freeze well, and aren't worth making (IMO) unless you cook a LOT, and then freeze some.

The only other times I've done that was when I was preparing for surgery and wanted to be sure I had meals to feed the kids. I really don't do that now - for one thing, I no longer have an extra freezer (thanks to Katrina ) and it's just DH and me now, so there's really no point to it. I've never done single serving meals, but really, you can do that with anything you cook, using the divided covered plates. I used to leave meals for the kids in those when they were in high school and had a lot of activities that ran into meal time.

Bea sounds like she has it down!

By Angellew on Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 08:39 am:

My DH and I do a lot of what Bea does. When I make meatballs and "gravy" (that's what we call it in Boston!), I make a really big one and freeze them in containers that are perfect for one meal. Do the same for soups, lasagnas, and such. My DH makes stews that he freezes out. We even do the same with fresh veggies. When we see things like peppers, which can get expensive off-season, he buys big bags of them, cuts them up and freezes them. Then when he needs them in a recipe, just pulls out a handful and they are as good as fresh!

By Angellew on Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 08:41 am:

Ohhh.. I forget... I do the same for sweet breads, too! I just got a bunch of zucchinis from a friend's garden! I made a bunch of zucchini breads (and banada and pumpkin) and then freeze them! Always have something for when someone stops by, or if you need to bring something somewhere!

By Reds9298 on Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 09:28 am:

Bea that sounds great! I never make ahead and freeze , but as far as *deciding* what to eat, I hate to do that also! I make a menu at the beginning of each month for the whole month, taking into account our schedules. This week and next for example, we have 2 field trip days, so those days are planned for a crock pot meal (sloppy joes) and a casserole-type (lasagna).

For me, I don't mind making it, I just HATE thinking of what to eat! Using my menu has been GREAT for me. I love just looking at it and fixing it - no thinking. It also helps with my grocery list for the week, because I already know what we're having and can buy anything needed. Saves me trips out last minute.

Not a freezing suggestion, just something that has helped me!

By Kaye on Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 10:25 am:

I bought the once a month cooking book. I used it twice.

It had a 2 week meal plan and I used that. It did take a full day and a half to cook/prep. It was kind of hard work, but we did eat in a lot.

One down fall, you still have to keep planning ahead. Look at the menu and see what is for tomorrow and make sure it gets thawed.

What I took a way from it. First I chop a lot of veggies on store day. I chopped 3 or 4 onions, freeze them flat in a gallon bag, so when needed you can break off a chunk. I always double cook hamburger meat and freeze. I always double cook most things I grill, it is easy to reheat a chicken breast and pop it out with a sauce and veggies.

The biggest thing... LABEL LABEL LABEL! I put what and date. Most frozen things you should eat with in 6 months.

I have done the spaghetti sauce, but found that we didn't tend to eat it. We like the can of Hunt's pretty well if you add to it, so it is really cheap.

Really look into a book though, it has some great ideas and a plan, you shop you cook, and don't have to think!