Preparing meals on the weekend is a good way to plan your meals for the week. Some dishes you can prepare on the weekend to serve during the week include soups, casseroles, chili, dry beans, baked chicken, roast, lasagna, and meatloaf. Just be sure to store the prepared dishes in the refrigerator or freezer as soon as possible to prevent spoilage. Use the prepared dish within a couple of days, or divide the large portions into smaller amounts and freeze for later use.
Tips for safe handling of cooked foods:
• Cooling — Divide large amounts of food into small, shallow containers. Foods should be cooled in the refrigerator in a single layer. Do not stack containers of hot food on top of each other in the refrigerator because it slows down cooling.
• Freezing — Put cooled foods in airtight containers, or wrap them in freezer wrap. Be sure to label and date foods before putting them in the freezer.
• Thawing — All foods should be thawed in the refrigerator or microwave, not on the counter. Place the food package on a plate so juices don’t drip on other foods. When thawing foods in the microwave, follow the directions in the microwave manual. Thawing foods on the counter can cause foods to spoil.
• Reheating — Heat soups, stews, chili, sauces, and gravies to boiling. When heating casseroles and lasagnas, preheat oven to 365 degrees and heat for about 30 minutes. Take the dish out and check the temperature. The thermometer should read 165 degrees. If it is still not hot, return it to the oven for additional time. Heat other leftovers thoroughly.
There are many sources for quick, easy, and healthy recipes.
