Menu Staples - Make Ahead Foods for the Week - Page 2

nikoroo · 09-17-2002, 05:04 AM

Great thread!

avabeth · 09-17-2002, 05:19 AM

Wow, you guys are awesome!! I'm going to print this thread for the next time I go grocery shopping.

I've started to learn a few tricks. I made deviled eggs the other night and can pop one whenever I'm feeling hungry. I made one of Beachgirl's cheesecakes last night, which I've decided will be *perfect* for breakfast during the week.

I'm not much of a cook, but I discovered packets of marinade in the grocery store and marinated a roast in one the other night. Cooked it for all of fifteen minutes in the oven, and I had three days of meals.

I buy the 12 packs of frozen hamburgers or turkey burgers, and then when I want one, take it out, defrost it in the microwave, and then fry it in a frying pan. Ten minutes, tops.

One thing that helps, especially if you work---fix your lunch the night before! Invest in a lot of little Gladware containers or whatnot---and use them. I got the tiny little round containers for salad dressing, deviled eggs, sauces...etc. They're great, and resuable.

I also keep stuff handy at work to munch on, cheesesticks or pickles. I'm usually more hungry at work since my job mainly involves sitting around, so I like to have little things to munch on at my desk.

Ragtopgrl · 09-17-2002, 05:23 AM

One quick question.......I have no idea what liquid smoke is........could someone fill me in?

GGJJ · 09-17-2002, 05:35 AM

WOW! I LOVE this thread! It is printing right now!

My only additions to the above suggestions are....

Nuke a whole package of pepperoni slices and put in ziploc bags. I put one in frig at work and one at home for quick crunchy snacks (like potato chips).

Pumpkin custard... Slice into 6-8 pieces, wrap in Saran, and freeze individually. Can be warmed up in the microwave with a pat of butter on top.

Get a roast sliced for beef jerky, dehydrate and keep in container in frig.

millerp · 09-17-2002, 06:13 AM

Love the thread. I found liquid smoke near the BBQ sauce and A-1 sauce. It is just a flavoring.

I love this thread.

I too, am starting to get better at this.

Last Saturday I made a whole chicken in the crok pot. Of course we had some for dinner. Then, I made four lunches. Three were basically chicken and green beans. The other I made chicken salad with one of the breasts and stuck in some celery sticks.

Sunday I made a pot roast in the crockpot and basicaly only used salt, pepper, onions and celery - YUMMY! More lunches for me or hubby.

I make a cheesecake, some deviled eggs, and I make sure to have string cheese and salami available. This week was my first week showing a gain....SO....no more peanuts or SF chocolate!!!!!

232
219
213
206
200
202

30 pounds gone!

jraudio · 09-17-2002, 07:34 AM

I buy a big package of chicken legs and cook those on Sunday afternoon for my lunches. I usually have one on Sunday evening after band practice. Sometimes I make some sort of veggie casserole (this week it is spinach). I keep canned green beans on hand, and one can is good for 2 days of lunches. I have hard boiled eggs. I do not do bacon ahead of time - it takes 2 minutes to nuke it in the microwave, and I can do that while I cook my eggs in the morning. I keep a couple different cheeses in the fridge for snacks, and also single-serving SF Jello cups. I make a double batch of Dobie muffins and freeze them in packages of four each, and take out one package at a time.

JRJ

DeltaDog2 · 09-17-2002, 07:58 AM

I don't have much to add because I am SO bad about doing this (although when I do manage to make meals ahead it's almost always tuna salad or boiled eggs).

But... I wanted to ask, does anyone know how to get this put in the amazing posts?? We might want to wait until everyone's done adding their ideas, but I think this is a great thread to save there!

sunnshine · 09-17-2002, 08:03 AM

This is awesome - I have no other stellar items to add to this fabulous posting! Have a super LC day everyone

Beachgirl · 09-17-2002, 08:05 AM

GGJJ - Aren't pepperoni chips the best? I love them with a schmear of cream cheese...yum! I never thought about making them ahead of time, tho! Good one!

I am loving everyone's response...awesome ideas, y'all!

hockeylover · 09-17-2002, 02:32 PM

Thank you, Beachgirl for getting people going to post their Make Ahead Foods! Made me go right out to the store with my grocery list and I'm cooking tonight!

One question, I've never tried cooking bacon in the oven. I get so tired of having to clean up the stove after cooking it there. What's your method for cooking bacon in the oven?

Thanks again!!

Gail

09-17-2002, 03:20 PM

*I make up a batch of deviled eggs for snacks.
*"Fry" up chicken legs w/Atkins bake mix, egg and heavy cream in the coating.
*Keep pepperoni slices to nibble on (the kind that go on pizza)
*Egg salad or tuna salad to put on top of salad greens.
*Deli roast beef, turkey, or ham sliced and rolled with cream cheese inside.
*Lo carb deep dish pizza, cold or warmed in the microwave.
*Atkins muffins, freeze and defrost when needed.
*Celery and cream cheese.
*Frozen prawns or shrimp. Defrost and cook in wine and garlic. Peel and dip in drawn butter.
*Make cucumber sandwiches w/slices and cream cheese in between.

Beachgirl · 09-17-2002, 03:34 PM

When I do my bacon in the oven, here's how I do it:

I put parchment paper on 2 cookie sheets, then lay the bacon strips on top, they can be touching but shouldn't be overlapping. Put them in a 450 degree oven (for thick sliced) and 400 degrees (for regular). After about 5 minutes you need to really watch it and see how done it's getting. Bacon cooks pretty fast this way, so just monitor how long it takes to get it to the degree of doneness you like...I like it one batch still soft and pliable so when I reheat it, it cooks a little more. The other batch I usually cook crispy so I can crumble it into salads and stuff like that.

For me, this method is definitely less messy than stove top. If I had to only cook bacon on the stove top, I wouldn't eat it at all...too much mess! I love doing it this way.

4furbabies · 09-17-2002, 03:50 PM

[COLOR=tomato]

Quote:

I make Atkins ribs - 4 slabs at a time - eat them for meals and snacks.

[/COLOR]

I've never heard of these, but anything with the word "ribs" in it sounds good to me - especially once I can feel my own.

I don't do much, but I do clean up a couple heads of romaine lettuce....wash, dry, tear up & store in zip loc bag.

Cook 2 lbs bacon in the microwave, put in ziploc. Reheat in 30 seconds.

Cook up some sausage & freeze.

09-17-2002, 03:50 PM

I cooked bacon in the oven for the first time tonight -- DUH

, I'd never thought of doing that before!! How easy!

Anyway, I used my oven's broiler pan and cooked them for 12 minutes on 375 (as per the package's instructions). They were so good I didn't have a whole lot left to save (the family kept swiping pieces as they walked by). I think it tastes better than pan-fried.

Kathryn

hockeylover · 09-17-2002, 06:33 PM

Thanks for the 411 on oven cooked bacon!

Beachgirl: I assume the parchment paper is to absorb the oil? I will try this method in the future.

Mom2Twins+2: That's how I felt about cooking it in the oven - DUH...even more DUH was not bothering to look at the instructions on the back. Oh well. Anyway, I cooked the bacon this way and yep, it does come out good. I put foil down on the cookie sheet and when bacon was done, wrapped it up and threw it away. Much easier clean up, but still messy. I want to try the parchment paper next time.

One thing I am going to start doing for make ahead breakfast is an idea from beetgreen in a post in August. I made this when I went on vacation for quick breakfasts on the go.

Scramble a bunch of eggs and add bacon, sausage, mushrooms, or anything else as a filler. Grease muffin tins and bake them. I don't remember offhand how long to bake or at what temp., but I must say there were great, easy and tasted good upon reheating.

Gail

Blissful · 09-18-2002, 02:56 AM

This thread is wonderful! You all are giving me some really great ideas. I'm printing like mad

BluOrchid2 · 09-18-2002, 04:57 AM

[COLOR=crimson]WOW WOW WOW!!! I just opened this topic for the first time!!! Beachgirl, so sweet of you to start this thread. I haven't read all the posts yet, but am going to right now. Can't wait to see all the great ideas here! [/COLOR]

09-17-2002, 06:13 AM	#35
millerp Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 234 Gallery: millerp Stats: Sedentary/Moving a little/Fit WOE: Atkins Induction Start Date: February 15, 2004	Love it... Love the thread. I found liquid smoke near the BBQ sauce and A-1 sauce. It is just a flavoring. I love this thread. I too, am starting to get better at this. Last Saturday I made a whole chicken in the crok pot. Of course we had some for dinner. Then, I made four lunches. Three were basically chicken and green beans. The other I made chicken salad with one of the breasts and stuck in some celery sticks. Sunday I made a pot roast in the crockpot and basicaly only used salt, pepper, onions and celery - YUMMY! More lunches for me or hubby. I make a cheesecake, some deviled eggs, and I make sure to have string cheese and salami available. This week was my first week showing a gain....SO....no more peanuts or SF chocolate!!!!! 232 219 213 206 200 202 30 pounds gone!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

09-17-2002, 05:04 AM	#31
nikoroo Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tracy, CA Posts: 3,435 Gallery: nikoroo Stats: 229/225/120 Start Date: uhhh....which time?	Great thread!

09-17-2002, 05:19 AM	#32
avabeth Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Temporary Virginian, New Yorker at heart Posts: 6,490 Gallery: avabeth	Wow, you guys are awesome!! I'm going to print this thread for the next time I go grocery shopping. I've started to learn a few tricks. I made deviled eggs the other night and can pop one whenever I'm feeling hungry. I made one of Beachgirl's cheesecakes last night, which I've decided will be perfect for breakfast during the week. I'm not much of a cook, but I discovered packets of marinade in the grocery store and marinated a roast in one the other night. Cooked it for all of fifteen minutes in the oven, and I had three days of meals. I buy the 12 packs of frozen hamburgers or turkey burgers, and then when I want one, take it out, defrost it in the microwave, and then fry it in a frying pan. Ten minutes, tops. One thing that helps, especially if you work---fix your lunch the night before! Invest in a lot of little Gladware containers or whatnot---and use them. I got the tiny little round containers for salad dressing, deviled eggs, sauces...etc. They're great, and resuable. I also keep stuff handy at work to munch on, cheesesticks or pickles. I'm usually more hungry at work since my job mainly involves sitting around, so I like to have little things to munch on at my desk.

09-17-2002, 05:23 AM	#33
Ragtopgrl Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kissimmee, Fl Posts: 2,423 Gallery: Ragtopgrl	One quick question.......I have no idea what liquid smoke is........could someone fill me in?

09-17-2002, 05:35 AM	#34
GGJJ Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Stanley, North Carolina Posts: 195 Gallery: GGJJ Stats: 215/213/150 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: -40 in 2002, +10 in 2003, Re-started Sept 2004	WOW! I LOVE this thread! It is printing right now! My only additions to the above suggestions are.... Nuke a whole package of pepperoni slices and put in ziploc bags. I put one in frig at work and one at home for quick crunchy snacks (like potato chips). Pumpkin custard... Slice into 6-8 pieces, wrap in Saran, and freeze individually. Can be warmed up in the microwave with a pat of butter on top. Get a roast sliced for beef jerky, dehydrate and keep in container in frig.

09-17-2002, 07:34 AM	#36
jraudio MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,375 Gallery: jraudio Stats: 212/190.25/150; size 18/14/8-10; 5'6" WOE: Atkins Start Date: 1st: 10/99; 2nd: 1/7/02; 3rd: 2/7/05	I buy a big package of chicken legs and cook those on Sunday afternoon for my lunches. I usually have one on Sunday evening after band practice. Sometimes I make some sort of veggie casserole (this week it is spinach). I keep canned green beans on hand, and one can is good for 2 days of lunches. I have hard boiled eggs. I do not do bacon ahead of time - it takes 2 minutes to nuke it in the microwave, and I can do that while I cook my eggs in the morning. I keep a couple different cheeses in the fridge for snacks, and also single-serving SF Jello cups. I make a double batch of Dobie muffins and freeze them in packages of four each, and take out one package at a time. JRJ

09-17-2002, 07:58 AM	#37
DeltaDog2 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Northern CA Posts: 1,158 Gallery: DeltaDog2	I don't have much to add because I am SO bad about doing this (although when I do manage to make meals ahead it's almost always tuna salad or boiled eggs). But... I wanted to ask, does anyone know how to get this put in the amazing posts?? We might want to wait until everyone's done adding their ideas, but I think this is a great thread to save there!

09-17-2002, 08:03 AM	#38
sunnshine MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,422 Gallery: sunnshine	This is awesome - I have no other stellar items to add to this fabulous posting! Have a super LC day everyone

09-17-2002, 08:05 AM	#39
Beachgirl Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Rockledge, FL Posts: 4,013 Gallery: Beachgirl Stats: Nunya WOE: Paleo	GGJJ - Aren't pepperoni chips the best? I love them with a schmear of cream cheese...yum! I never thought about making them ahead of time, tho! Good one! I am loving everyone's response...awesome ideas, y'all!

09-17-2002, 02:32 PM	#40
hockeylover MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: on the ice somewhere in California Posts: 1,109 Gallery: hockeylover Stats: Not where I want to be WOE: Low(er) Carb Start Date: 7/23/02...again and again	Thank you, Beachgirl for getting people going to post their Make Ahead Foods! Made me go right out to the store with my grocery list and I'm cooking tonight! One question, I've never tried cooking bacon in the oven. I get so tired of having to clean up the stove after cooking it there. What's your method for cooking bacon in the oven? Thanks again!! Gail

09-17-2002, 03:20 PM	#41
ladydaisy Posts: n/a Gallery: ladydaisy	I make up a batch of deviled eggs for snacks. "Fry" up chicken legs w/Atkins bake mix, egg and heavy cream in the coating. Keep pepperoni slices to nibble on (the kind that go on pizza) Egg salad or tuna salad to put on top of salad greens. Deli roast beef, turkey, or ham sliced and rolled with cream cheese inside. Lo carb deep dish pizza, cold or warmed in the microwave. Atkins muffins, freeze and defrost when needed. Celery and cream cheese. Frozen prawns or shrimp. Defrost and cook in wine and garlic. Peel and dip in drawn butter. Make cucumber sandwiches w/slices and cream cheese in between.

09-17-2002, 03:34 PM	#42
Beachgirl Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Rockledge, FL Posts: 4,013 Gallery: Beachgirl Stats: Nunya WOE: Paleo	When I do my bacon in the oven, here's how I do it: I put parchment paper on 2 cookie sheets, then lay the bacon strips on top, they can be touching but shouldn't be overlapping. Put them in a 450 degree oven (for thick sliced) and 400 degrees (for regular). After about 5 minutes you need to really watch it and see how done it's getting. Bacon cooks pretty fast this way, so just monitor how long it takes to get it to the degree of doneness you like...I like it one batch still soft and pliable so when I reheat it, it cooks a little more. The other batch I usually cook crispy so I can crumble it into salads and stuff like that. For me, this method is definitely less messy than stove top. If I had to only cook bacon on the stove top, I wouldn't eat it at all...too much mess! I love doing it this way.

09-17-2002, 03:50 PM	#44
Mom2Twins+2 Posts: n/a Gallery: Mom2Twins+2	I cooked bacon in the oven for the first time tonight -- DUH , I'd never thought of doing that before!! How easy! Anyway, I used my oven's broiler pan and cooked them for 12 minutes on 375 (as per the package's instructions). They were so good I didn't have a whole lot left to save (the family kept swiping pieces as they walked by). I think it tastes better than pan-fried. Kathryn

09-17-2002, 06:33 PM	#45
hockeylover MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: on the ice somewhere in California Posts: 1,109 Gallery: hockeylover Stats: Not where I want to be WOE: Low(er) Carb Start Date: 7/23/02...again and again	Thanks for the 411 on oven cooked bacon! Beachgirl: I assume the parchment paper is to absorb the oil? I will try this method in the future. Mom2Twins+2: That's how I felt about cooking it in the oven - DUH...even more DUH was not bothering to look at the instructions on the back. Oh well. Anyway, I cooked the bacon this way and yep, it does come out good. I put foil down on the cookie sheet and when bacon was done, wrapped it up and threw it away. Much easier clean up, but still messy. I want to try the parchment paper next time. One thing I am going to start doing for make ahead breakfast is an idea from beetgreen in a post in August. I made this when I went on vacation for quick breakfasts on the go. Scramble a bunch of eggs and add bacon, sausage, mushrooms, or anything else as a filler. Grease muffin tins and bake them. I don't remember offhand how long to bake or at what temp., but I must say there were great, easy and tasted good upon reheating. Gail

09-18-2002, 02:56 AM	#46
Blissful Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,623 Gallery: Blissful	This thread is wonderful! You all are giving me some really great ideas. I'm printing like mad

09-18-2002, 04:57 AM	#47
BluOrchid2 Crispy, Cheesy, Fast & Easy Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 13,480 Gallery: BluOrchid2 Stats: 177/161/??? WOE: heartbreak diet Start Date: December 16, 2009	[COLOR=crimson]WOW WOW WOW!!! I just opened this topic for the first time!!! Beachgirl, so sweet of you to start this thread. I haven't read all the posts yet, but am going to right now. Can't wait to see all the great ideas here! [/COLOR]