I am the oldest of 5 kids and there is a 12 year gap between the youngest ones and me. So I helped in the kitchen. Alot! Not that I really minded it. : ) Naturally over the years I have learned how to plan and cook for an army and also for just me. (Let me tell you the first time I made spaghetti for myself, I ate it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a few days.) Here are some of the best secrets I have learned.
- Make meals you actually like!
This may seem like a no brainer but let me tell you, nothing ruins a well laid out meal plan like a dreaded dinner! Make something that most of the family will enjoy. If there is a particular picky eater, let them pick a portion of the meal that is something they love. Food should be a good experience and life is too short to eat something we hate. - Make extras to freeze.
This is a great way to help stay on track for busy nights. Making meatballs? Double your recipe and freeze those extras! Soup is another great option to freeze the extra.
*Bonus tip! Keep a log of your extra frozen meals. This will help when it comes time to plan your weekly meals. - Plan perishable produce to be eaten sooner.
This helps save you money on uneaten food. - Don’t forget snacks!
I always try to plan extras into my weekly plan. When I don’t I have a sad snacky husband with nothing to munch on. - Plan leftover days.
Planning in some days to eat leftovers helps reduce food waste and is great for busy nights - Plan days to eat out.
This depends on how much your family likes to eat out or your budget. Having a day set aside to go out helps us to eat the meals we do have at home and can look forward to our meal out. - Save recipes to an easy place.
I personally like to save them into my Google Drive. I can then look up based on the title. So I will name a meal based on the main ingredients. EX: Sheet Pan Breakfast. I will name it Sheet Pan Breakfast- brussel sprouts, turkey bacon, sweet potato, onion - Keep old plans
Once you get a number of plans then you can cycle through them. It helps save time on planning.
- Find your system!
Find a way that works for you. White board, paper calendar, Google Docs. I am using Google Docs now. - Prep! Prep! Prep!
Having a prep day is sooooo important! On the weeks I don’t, I feel it halfway through. Taking a little bit of time can help cut down on the crazy weeknight dinner rush.
Hope these help, my food adventure friends!
XOXO,
Poppy Seed Kitchen
