Cook Ahead Dinner

I know this whole "cooking ahead" idea is not a new one, but I 've never really jumped on the band wagon until now. Now, I don't care to cook and freeze a month of meals all at once...partly because I don't have that big of a chunk of time, and partly because I might want to change it up and not be so tied to what I've made. So, I decided to try this out. I made four days of meals (or parts of the meal) in one evening as I made dinner.

Here was my menu:
1. The night I cooked, I made homemade pizza
2. Beef Stroganoff- I made just the beef mixture and froze it so I could thaw and make noodles quickly
3. Soup- just some simple beef and veggie soup, all prepared, just need to add water and cook
4. Mini cornbread casseroles- cornbread mix prepared, cooked ground beef, cheese, corn- made these to go with my beans in the crockpot

I cooked all my hamburger at the same time and just put together some of the meals and voila, it was ready! I have found myself doing this a lot when I do a chicken in the crockpot, too. I plan my meals so I have the meat prepared and can add it to the recipe. It takes a little planning, but it can be done! It makes meal time much more streamlined which is especially helpful when you have little ones like I do, who aren't too patient for their dinner! 

Yummy Monday

This week I've planned to have some "cook once and eat twice" meals and a little something sweet.

Monday- Beans in the crockpot, green beans, cornbread casserole, fried potatoes--Cornbread Casserole is a staple for me...cornbread mix prepared, cooked ground hamburger, corn, cheese, and rotel if you want a little kick...then bake according to mix temp until set.
Tuesday- Roast in the crockpot with potatoes and carrots-- I like to use Lipton Onion mix to season it
Wednesday- BBQ sandwiches (made with leftover roast)
Thursday & Friday- Leftovers or Chicken Lasagna from the freezer

Nothing like some beans in the crockpot

Cornbread casserole

I love The Pioneer Woman and her cookbook is fabulous!! I've tried several recipes and today, decided to try the mocha brownies and OH MY GOODNESS!!! These are cake-like brownies and they are super yummy...the frosting is a MUST!

Pioneer Woman's Mocha Brownies...YUMMMMM...MUST have MILK!

Since we plan to go camping again, I won't have a post for next week, but I plan to post some camping food pics and ideas, so stay tuned!!