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Don't Enjoy Cooking Every Night?
Try Cooking Once a Month!
5 Steps to a Month's Worth of Meals
Step 3: Shopping
You'll want to make this trip at a time you know the stores won't be too crowded. And make sure there will be people at home to help you unload the car. Take your time in the grocery store. The bill will be higher than you're used to, but you won't need anything else for dinner all month except milk and other perishables. It's best to do the shopping the day before you plan to do the cooking. You'll wear yourself out if you do both the same day, but you want your fruits and vegetables to be fresh. Step 4: Preparing to Cook
Print out your recipes. I keep mine in plastic sleeves in a three-ring binder. If I spill on the plastic, I just wipe it away with a sponge. And whenever I come across new recipes, I print them out and add them to the binder. Defrost your meat. I usually brown chopped beef and boil chickens the night before cooking day. Then I store them in the refrigerator overnight. Review your recipes: Which will cook on the stovetop? Which will be baked in the oven? Make notes next to each of your recipes, and plan the best order in which to cook.
Get a good night's sleep. You'll want to be well rested for cooking day!
Step 5: Cooking Day
I usually get up at around 6 a.m. on cooking day. I have a quiet cup of coffee before I get started, and set a big bottle of water on the kitchen table. It's important to keep your cool when you're working in a hot kitchen. Start by chopping all your vegetables and dividing them into bowls. That way, each time a recipe calls for chopped whatever, you'll just scoop out the proper amount and toss it in.
Want to see more?
- Redefining Pantry Staples: The Benefits of a Well-stocked Kitchen
- Three Steps to Stock Your Freezer Before Baby Arrives
- Check out our Article Library.
- Mix It Up! Homemade Mixes Save Time, Money and Offer a Healthy Alternative to Store-bought Brands
- Cook's Library: Great Books for Your Cookbook Collection
- Recipes!
- Talk about it!
