GON Reader Letter #1
Fast homemade meals
Thank you for your great ideas. Here are some tips that I have
used for years:
I prepare meat loaf patties to freeze between two layers of wax paper. I layer them in a cake pan until frozen solid and then place inside a one-gallon freezer bag (with the date on a slip of paper).
Three patties defrost in five minutes in the microwave.
To bake, I
unwrap the patties and place one layer onto crumpled aluminum foil in a 9" baking dish. Then I bake them 350F for 30 min.
These are also great for meal donations. Add defrosting and baking instructions to the bag of patties.
I also make large batches of taco filling or chili, then freeze in smaller portions. It makes fast meals for the two of us. It also saves time and energy on cleanup.
I buy ground chuck when it's on sale too.
I cut, wrap, and freeze baked
goods in smaller portions as well.
-- Arleen in Texas
GON Reader Letter
#2
Leftovers for lunch
I typically use leftovers for lunch. When I’m getting ready for work
and packing my lunch, I have a selection of microwavable dishes with covers.
I scoop up something from the night (or 2 nights before) and fill the bowl.
This is a quick, nutritious, and inexpensive lunch every day at work. It also helps with portion control!
-- Susan Montalvo
GON Reader Letter #3
Planned leftovers
There are only two of us now and I am used to cooking for four or more. When I am planning my week's menu, I look at what meals we have scheduled that usually result in leftovers.
Then I plan one or two meals that utilize leftovers in another form. Roast beef, for instance, becomes other meals like green pepper beef over rice and hot roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes.
Just think creatively and all your leftovers will be camouflaged and accepted as new meals.
-- Joyce Peterson
