Cooking Smaller Amounts..?

[JenniJune 79]

I love to cook, and my husband and I are planning on cooking healthy meals together. Since my kids won't eat half of what I cook anyway, we need to make about 1/3 of what I used to cook. Any tips on how to do this without wasting things like pre packaged veggies, meat, etc?

[Lauranbob Mc 94]

stilll having trouble with that. I end up freezing a lot of stff in individual packages and using it for lunches at work

[PdxMan 4,292]

Yup, I freeze it in 8 oz or 16 oz mason jars and take it for lunch. Makes life soooo easy.

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

I for one have quit buying pre packaged meat. I buy from the deli counter & have found a supermarket that has a full time butcher and a fine meats section. I'm finding that I can eat much better on less money than I spent previously. I also avoid pre packaged veggies unless I have a specific use for them. Also keep in mind, all seafood in the us that is transported is either alive or frozen. So, if you are buying "fresh" seafood in a supermarket, it is previously frozen. So just buy it in the frozen state and thaw as needed. BTW Sams Club has individually sealed fillets.

[juicyr3d 17]

I'm not the freezing left over food type of person but, it makes a lot more sense for me to do it now I'm used to cooking big and I hate to waste good food... So I will be preparing meals and freezing them!

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

Also, if you don't have one, a food Saver is a great tool for your kitchen.

[UTGal99 327]

Yup, I freeze it in 8 oz or 16 oz mason jars and take it for lunch. Makes life soooo easy.

I didn't know you could freeze in the mason jar. So do you thaw it out and then pour into a dish to reheat or reheat in the mason jar too?

[PdxMan 4,292]

Yes, you

I didn't know you could freeze in the mason jar. So do you thaw it out and then pour into a dish to reheat or reheat in the mason jar too?

Sure you can. I take the jar to work and by the time lunch rolls around, it is thawed enough to pour into a bowl or on a plate, toss in the microwave and it's good to go.

You can also just take the ring and lid off and microwave it in the jar as well. It is glass, so, no problem doing that, either.

[NancyJerry 139]

I still cook in the same quantities, but use my food saver and freeze the finished meals. It's awesome for my husband who works ridiculous hours and I know he can have a good meal even if I'm just in the mood for a deli-meat & cheese roll and some cottage cheese.< /p>

Yup, I freeze it in 8 oz or 16 oz mason jars and take it for lunch. Makes life soooo easy.

Cool Mason Jar tip!

[StormWarning 194]

I really like the mason jar idea. I am sure that keeps cost down quite a bit.

Of course I haven't had surgery yet, but being I am responsible for cooking for 6-8 people on an almost daily bases so I buy bulk. Being that we are ranchers, we also make alot of our meats. We use food savers. They keep food fresher for longer. Another neat thing I do is when there are left overs I will place individual servings in food saver bags, seal and freeze. When there comes a time to need a quick meal pick what you want and either toss bag in microwave or toss into pot of boiling Water.< /p>

[kyllfalcon 768]

Even before my surgery, with no one left at home but Ma and Pa, the food Saver was our best friend! We would cook normal recipes, eat once or twice, then freeze the rest in Food Saver bags. Really great invention!!

[JenniJune 79]

Thank you guys! Those are some great tips!

[Squisha 99]

i weigh out my meats when i get home from the grocery store and then label and freeze, that way i can pull out enough for a meal or if i know extras are coming i can pull out extras. I am trying to cut down on leftovers and make just enough food for meals. My husband is former Navy and has gained a lot of weight since we married and now are daughter is getting heavier also. I always make plenty of vegtables and 1 serving per person of meat and carb. No complaints yet of anyone being hungery.

[DivaK 55]

I shop at Sam's Club and buy the Tilapia fish fillets. They are individually packaged and I also buy the snow crab legs...you can cook a few and keep the rest in the freezer. I don't own a food saver but looks like I need to buy one!

[Lilcat 5]

I love to cook, and my husband and I are planning on cooking healthy meals together. Since my kids won't eat half of what I cook anyway, we need to make about 1/3 of what I used to cook. Any tips on how to do this without wasting things like pre packaged veggies, meat, etc?

Go ahead and make your normal portions and then freeze them, if able, in small serving sizes for you and larger sizes for other family members. I have purchased small, freezer safe containers that are used for new babies. These are the perfect size for small portions.