Category Archives: Meal Ideas

How To Cook With Wine

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Wine is an important part of the culinary experience. A perfectly-paired glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinor Noir can take your meal from tasty to spectacular. But wine isn’t just for drinking with dinner; it is an integral ingredient in many dishes. Learning how to cook with wine is an important skill. Here are some tips on how to cook with wine:

How To Cook With Wine

  • Red wine for cooking: The four best red wines to cook with are Madeira, Marsala, Sherry, and Port. If you are only going to get to know a few red cooking wines, these are the ones to know. Each wine has a different quality that will lend different flavors to your recipe. Madeira is a lush wine that possess toffee-like tones, and is fantastic for sauteed mushrooms. Marsala is known for light notes of caramel and is a key ingredient in sauteed Mediterranean dishes. These dishes are often so indebted to the flavor of this wine that they are named after it, like the delicious Chicken Marsala, to name just one. Sherry is nutty and complex and enhances soups and stews. Finally, Port is sweet and deep and goes perfectly with meat.
  • White wine for cooking: No matter what recipe calls for a dry white wine, you can always turn to a high quality Sauvignon Blanc. This dry wine complements almost every dish, and will lend your recipes a refreshing light herbal flavor. However, if the dish you are creating is particularly bold or spicy, you should select an aromatic white instead. Some aromatic whites with exotic armoas and fruity flavors are Riesling, Viognier, and Gewurztraminer.

When cooking with wine, it’s important to ask yourself, “Would I drink this wine?” If a wine isn’t suitable for you to drink, than it is probably not suitable to cook with. For example, it is probably best to stay away with wines that claim to be specifically made for cooking. A low quality wine can spell disaster for an otherwise lovely dish.

Source:

  • “Cooking With Wine”, Cooking Light

Try cooking with wine with our incredible Mussels With White Wine And Parsley. Get this recipe and more on your mobile with our great meal planning app.

How To Cook With Eggplant

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The beautiful and strange eggplant is part of the nightshade family. This native Indian vegetable has been part of the human diet for thousands upon thousands of years. This bulbous veggie is bursting with health benefits like vitamins and minerals. Plus, some studies have suggested that some compounds in eggplant may even reduce the risk of cancer and lower cholesterol. Here are some ways to start cooking with eggplant:

How To Cook With Eggplant

  • Use it as a meat substitute. Eggplant is so hearty and substantial that it can easily take the place in many meat dishes. Plus, it is packed with fiber and other nutrients, so it is very filling and healthy. Eggplant is an especially appropriate meat substitute in Italian cooking, but it can take the place of meat in any sort of cooking.
  • Try Indian cooking. Eggplant is native to India and is therefore an important ingredient in Indian cooking. The traditional food Bhurtha is found in kitchens and restaurants all across India, featuring eggplant, tomato, cumin seeds, and a smorgasbord of Indian spices like turmeric, cumin, ginger, and coriander.
  • Serve it with cheese. A traditional and extremely delicious way to prepare eggplant is to make Italian eggplant parmesan. This recipe features fresh eggplant, rich and salty mozzarella cheese, and a variety of Mediterranean herbs. The Greeks also have a traditional eggplant and cheese dish. This recipe features eggplants with tomatoes and onion spread with a cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese mixture and seasoned with garlic, cinnamon, parsley, and salt and pepper.

Source:

  • “10 Ideas For Eggplant”, The Kitchn
  • “History and Iconography of Eggplant”, Purdue University

Ready to try out cooking with eggplant? Why not start with our Balsamic and Tomato Chicken with Eggplant? Get more great recipes and start meal planning on your mobile with our easy to use app.

What to Know Before Creating Meal Ideas for Toddlers

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According to the Childrens Heart Center, how much healthy fat in the form of omega 3 fatty acids a child gets in his or her diet can directly influence his or her brain function later in life. The Childrens Heart Center also asserts that children with diets that are low in cholesterol and fat are less likely to have cardiovascular problems as adults. So, clearly, nutrition is important for your child’s growing body. Teaching toddlers good nutrition habits will set them up for healthy lives as adults.

The most difficult part about planning toddler meals is making the right food choices. There are so many authoritative sources on this subject. Trying to learn and keep up with all these sources can be very overwhelming for new parents. Coming up with meal ideas for kids doesn’t have to be difficult.

Nutrition in Your Toddlers’ Meals

During your child’s early formative years, it’s very critical that your meals for toddlers have a lot of nutritional substance in the form of lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Since toddlers are constantly growing, it’s important that you feed your toddler the best fuel so that he or she may grow properly. What tastes good to a toddler isn’t always what’s healthiest. Snacks meant for children are often loaded with sugar and fat and should generally only be eaten in moderation. Parents should focus on providing their toddlers with three healthy, balanced meals a day with a few healthy snacks added in the mix throughout the day.

Breakfast Ideas for Toddlers

In order to start your child’s day out right, he needs an excellent breakfast. Including eggs in your toddler’s breakfast is usually a good idea. Eggs are a great source of protein and chromium, and they can also be mixed in with a variety of other foods. Another great breakfast option is fruit. Almost all fruit can be eaten for breakfast, but bananas, oranges, and apples are probably the ones your toddler will like the most. Pancakes and cereal are popular breakfast choices for toddlers, but they’re usually less healthy than other options. Consider serving your child some whole grain toast topped with organic, all-natural fruit preserves instead of pancakes.

Lunch Ideas for Toddlers

There are a variety of foods that you can feed your toddler for lunch. Since kids’ metabolisms are so fast, most healthy meals for kids can be pretty flexible. Your toddler’s lunch could include some carrots, applesauce, and a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread. Making lunch for your toddler doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. Sometimes some of the healthiest lunches are also the easiest to make. Kids can be picky when they’re younger. So, half the battle is discovering what they like to eat. Experiment with different healthy lunch options for your child, and you’ll be able to discover what he or she likes. What your child likes can become the basis of the lunch menus you plan for him throughout the week.

Dinner Ideas for Toddlers

Some easy dinner meals for your toddler could begin with pasta. Pasta is easy to eat and simple to cook. One healthy dinner option your toddler might like is fish. Fish is the best meat for you; it’s extra lean, and it has been considered a brain food for years because it’s loaded with omega 3 fatty acids. For dinner, it might also be a good idea to include a vegetable in all your meals. Don’t be afraid to season vegetables to make them more appealing to your toddler. Your child may be reluctant to eat raw, unseasoned broccoli. However, your child will find steamed broccoli seasoned with lemon juice and garlic a lot more appealing.

Toddlers may be picky eaters, but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn to love to eat healthy foods. Take some time to figure out what healthy meals your little one likes, and you’ll help pave the way to health for your child as an adult.

Meal Theme Ideas: Making Dinner Fun Again

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It’s easy to get stuck in that same old food routine. Shake things up a bit by planning a theme night! Here are some meal theme ideas that can get you out of that food rut:

#1 German Theme

Bust out your lederhosen and brace yourself for German night! With a hearty, wholesome serving of sauerkraut and some fresh bratwurst, washed down with a mug of fine, German beer, this is one of those food theme ideas that will leave you utterly content. Pick up a German horseradish sauce at the store to dress the bratwurst. If you don’t like horseradish plain, tame this spicy sauce with ketchup, mustard, or even mayonnaise. You can also try whipping up a bratwurst, sauerkraut, and baked bean casserole, which only takes about an hour to cook. Finish the meal with a hot apple strudel, topped with vanilla bean ice cream. The only way to respond to theme dinner ideas like this one is to say, “Mmm, das ist gut!”

#2 Luau Theme

In need of some relaxation? There are tons of dinner theme ideas that can take you to a tropical climate for the night. Just make-believe you’re in Maui with a Luau-themed night! Cook up some pineapple lemon chicken with a side of macaroni salad and broccoli rabe. If you’re not a chicken fan, try some Polynesian sausage or mahi mahi, seasoned with teriyaki, lemon, honey, and sesame seeds. Finish out the night with some mango sorbet or a Haupia coconut pudding. Out of all the meal theme ideas, a Hawaiian food night will surely bring some sunshine into your kitchen, even in the dreariest of winters.

#3 Taco Tuesdays

There are many Mexican themed food ideas that can take your taste buds to the border. Our personal favorite? Tacos: versatile, delicious, nutritious, easy, and perfect for a Mexican-themed dinner. Olé! Kick off your taco fiesta with some ground pork, seasoned with taco seasoning, and cooked with grated potatoes in a large skillet. You can also opt for chicken or steak fajitas or some fried fish tacos. The best part about taco night? You get to make your own! After preparing the main ingredient, lay out flour or corn tortillas, thinly sliced lettuce, grated cheddar cheese, guacamole, fried onions, bell peppers, cilantro, and salsa. Just sit back and sip on a margarita while the kids prepare their own plates! DIY meal theme ideas allow the busy mom to relax a bit.

#4 Italian Dinner

Stromboli, penne, lasagna–the themed meal ideas are endless with Italian night. Angel hair pasta is always a hit. Try dressing up some pasta with mushrooms, butter, or red pepper flakes. A creamy pesto shrimp with a side of pasta will surely have you saying, “Mamma mia!” with delight. After licking your plate clean, it would be very un-Italian of you to turn down dessert. Indulge in some tiramisu or cannoli. Who could resist?

Now that your stomach is rumbling, pick out one of these meal themes and get cookin’!

Healthy Meal Ideas for Families: Healthy Cooking Techniques

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In spite of rising numbers of health issues in America and health messages to use less salt in our diets, 9 out of 10 people consume more than the recommended amount of sodium each day, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And we can’t just blame fast food restaurants for our stratospheric sodium intake. The way we cook, (with plenty of salt, butter, sugar and other not-so-healthy ingredients) is directly affecting the health of parents and children alike. Instead of loading up your homemade meals with unhealthy ingredients, try cutting sodium, fats and sugars at the source, while you are cooking, especially in the frying pan!

Take these tips into account next time you’re cooking a meal for your family:

  • Try baking instead of using a frying pan. Baking usually requires little to no added fat in a dish. You can bake anything from lean meats to veggies and seafood.
  • Broiling and grilling your food allows the fat to drip away from the food, thereby minimizing the amount of oils in your food.
  • Pick a high-quality, nonstick pan so that you don’t have to use a lot of butter and oil when you cook. Use low-sodium broth or cooking spray in some recipes in place of oil to minimize calories.
  • Whole wheat flour can replace half of the called-four flour recommendation. According to MayoClinic.com, whole-wheat pastry flour works well in softer products like cakes and muffins.
  • Replace all white breads and starches for whole grain. When you’re shopping for your pastas and breads, make sure the first ingredient is “whole wheat flour” to assure that you’re getting a 100% whole wheat product. Whole wheat, in its original form, is a great source of dietary fiber and magnesium.
  • Try finding healthy replacements for side dishes that you love. Instead of indulging in french fries, bake sweet potatoes to make sweet potato fries.
  • Use spices instead of salt in some recipes. Cumin, rosemary, lemongrass, anise, thyme, cilantro, and cayenne can all add extra flavor into a dish, without making a meal’s sodium content soar.
  • In many recipes, aside from baked goods, applesauce can be used for half of the recipe’s butter recommendation. You can also find butter spreads that don’t have Trans fats.
  • You don’t always have to load up your pancakes with syrup! Try using fruit purees instead of maple syrup on you and your family’s pancakes so you can eliminate some unhealthy sugars from the meal without sacrificing taste.
  • The MayoClinic recommends reducing the amount of sugar in recipes by 1/2 and, instead, intensifying the sweetness by adding spices, like vanilla, nutmeg, or cinnamon.
  • Substitute eggs with egg whites or an egg substitute. You can make a delicious three-egg-white omelet without high cholesterol levels.
  • Try to avoid prepared desserts and pie fillings and make your own at home. Store-bought prepared desserts often have higher levels of sodium.
  • In many recipes, agave syrup, honey, or sweeteners can be used in place of sugar.  Honey, in particular, is sweeter and denser than sugar, so less of it can be used. Additionally, honey is minimally processed and less easily converted to fat stores than sugar.

Take these healthy meal ideas into account next time you’re preheating the oven or turning on the burner. When you use healthy tactics in your cooking, you’ll feel better, and look better, too! Implement your new healthy meal ideas into your old recipes for a healthier family and a healthier you.

 

Tips for Quick Meal Ideas for Kids on the Go

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Every mom and dad knows that they’re always going to have to pack meals to keep their kid’s tummy from rumbling on the go. Traveling to and from soccer practice and Taekwondo, chances are your child may need to have some meals on wheels every once in a while. Don’t hit the fast food joint, as tempting as it is. Pack quick meals that work well on the go.

Quick Meal Ideas for Busy Kids

So what makes a great in-transit snack? To serve your kids a great meal on the go, the food should be portable, neat, and compact, to prevent spills or stains from occurring.

Breakfast

 

  • Muffins: Blueberry, cinnamon, and cranberry muffins are great meals on the go for kids who want to get their sweet fix in the morning. You can add plenty of nutritious ingredients to your child’s muffins, too! Add flaxseed, rolled oats, and other nutritious ingredients for a wonderful breakfast that travels well.
  • Bagels: Bagels are another great meal that you can pack and take with you in the car. Pack a little container of cream cheese, or put cream cheese on a bagel slice before you head out the door for a great breakfast.
  • Taco: Wrap some scrambled eggs, potatoes, and cheese in a flour tortilla for a wonderfully balanced breakfast on the go.

Lunch

  • Sandwiches: Make mini sandwiches and package them with napkins so that the kids don’t get crumbs in the car seat. Mini sandwiches will be much less messy than the real deal. A peanut butter and jelly could be the perfect lunch for your little one.
  • Spring rolls: Spring rolls can be a great meal on the go. Bring some peanut sauce along in a tupperware container. Since peanut sauce has some density to it, it won’t spill all over the car as easily as something less viscous.
  • Cheese, ham, and crackers: Make mini sandwiches with some whole grain crackers, cheese, and ham. Cut the ham and cheese into slices before you head out the door and put them into a container. This meal is practically mess-proof and nutritious, too!

Snacks

  • Fruits: Pick fruits that are portable, like apples and bananas. Grapes are great, too, but if you have younger children, they can be a choking hazard.
  • Granola bars: Make granolas at home or pick up some Chewy bars at the store for an unbeatable road-ready snack.
  • String cheese: A classic standby – full of protein, calcium and peel able fun.
  • Drinkable yogurt:  Typically far less messy than the regular type of yogurt and available in lots of delicious flavors.  Generally a pretty healthy alternative.
  • Dessert snacks: For those with a sweet tooth, cookies, brownies, and pudding all travel well. Just beware of crumbs! Cookies and brownies are crumb culprits that can by fought with napkins and a good car cleaning.

There are plenty of tricks that you will discover as you feeding the kiddos on the go. For example, if you want to serve soup, put it in a thermos for portability. The thermos keeps the soup warm and the height keeps it from spilling. Stock up on Tupperware of all sizes for your dips and sandwiches. If you’re planning on taking a road trip or the commute is going to be lengthy to school, transport your food with cold packs and it will surely stay fresh and delicious. With all of these tips for quick meal ideas in mind, you’ll be comfortably munchin’ on the road for years to come.

Helpful Toddler Meal Ideas

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Many parents feel apprehensive as their child transitions from infant to toddler. Why? Toddlers in their terrible twos are, well, terrible! They want to be independent and they want to eat what they want to eat, not what’s necessarily good for them. Additionally, some parents discover that tastes change as toddlers age. Elizabeth M. Ward, MS, RD, explains, “It’s important to remember that a toddler’s appetite can temporarily wane when teething or ill, causing temporary disregard even for tried-and-true mealtime favorites. Older toddlers may reject foods to garner attention or as a way to assert their independence, or both, because it’s fun to watch their parents react. Whatever the case, because toddlers are characteristically fickle, parents should remain flexible. And, they should try not to worry.” So how do we, as parents, “remain flexible,” as Ward suggests? Always have plenty of meal ideas at your disposal. Try to have a small number of “go to” meals, but also have “Plan B” meals if your toddler suddenly changes their tastes.

Healthy Meal Ideas for Toddlers

Even if your toddler is a peach, gladly eating everything you put in front of him or her, you may be wondering what exactly you should feed your toddler for optimal nutrition. Here are some meal ideas, broken down in food groups, that could help inspire you to introduce some new meals into your toddler’s diet.

  • Grains: Try to choose whole grains for your toddler, for optimal nutrition and fiber. Great grains could include whole grain pita, whole grain pasta salad with olive oil, whole grain toast, or pita chips.
  • Fruits: Toddlers love the sugar in fruits, which make for a healthy snack. Try sliced bananas or apples, or even a fruit salad.
  • Vegetables: Cooked broccoli is good for a dinnertime meal, while you can feed your toddler carrot sticks on the go.
  • Dairy: Fruit yogurt, cheese, a fruit and yogurt smoothie, and milk could all satisfy dairy requirements for your toddler.
  • Protein: Every little boy or girl needs protein in their diet for optimal growth and muscle development. Turkey, ham, chicken slices, chicken nuggets, or peanut butter could each comprise a protein serving.
  • Snack ideas: Snacks are essential for hungry toddlers. Try snacks that are portable, like graham crackers, applesauce, cheese slices, dry cereal, muesli with blueberries, cheese cubes, milk, fortified fruit juice, or mini sandwiches on whole grain bread.

Tips for Fun and Peaceful Mealtimes

Sometimes, mealtime with a feisty toddler can be difficult. WebMD.com recommends that you practice these tips to have a peaceful mealtime with your little boy or girl:

  • Sit and eat with your toddler
  • Don’t pressure your toddler to eat what they don’t want
  • Provide structure with mealtime
  • Make 3 meals and 2 snacks per day

By feeding your toddler the right nutrients in the right fashion you may see an improvement in their behavior. Your child will surely exhibit signs of being happier and healthier when they’re eating healthy snacks.

Reintegrating Healthy Carbohydrates: Finding Long Term Success with Low Carb Meal Ideas

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“About 10 million Americans are following low-carb diets” says Melinda Manore, Ph.D., R.D., professor and Chair of nutrition and food management at Oregon State University, Corvallis. However, anyone who has ever diligently followed an extremely low carb or no carb diet meal plan like the Adkins diet, South Beach Diet, and other ketogenic diets, knows that all of these diets eventually reintroduce a small amount of carbohydrates.  While the specific rules and procedures may vary, many plans suggest cutting carbs down to the bare minimum for the first few weeks, then reintroducing them gradually over time. If you’ve already lost the weight you were hoping to lose in your diet plan, it could be time for you to reintroduce carbs back into your life. Here are some tips:

  • According to MayoClinic.com, a diet should consist of about 45% carbohydrates and the bulk of your carb intake should come from “good” or “healthy” carb sources.  Other resources, like The American Diabetes/Dietetic Associations, recommend more carbs, like a daily allowance of 150-240 grams of carbs, which composes about 60% of total target calories. Healthy carbs include brown rice, bulgur, whole grain bread, steel cut oats, fruit, and beans.
  • Prepare yourself for slight weight gain when you reintegrate carbs after your low carb meal plan. “You will gain some weight” even if you’re transitioning from absolutely no carbs to very minimal, healthy carbs, predicts Lona Sandon, R.D., assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. Just stay on track and make sure to limit your carb intake to healthy carbohydrates, as listed above.
  • Stay away from unhealthy carbs, when you’re transitioning into the last phases of a low carb diet. Stay away from white bread, white rice, and white pasta, and, of course, avoid candy, baked goods, soda and snack foods.
  • Even if you’re feeling discouraged, keep in mind that reintegrating healthy carbs is a necessary part of the dieting process.

When transitioning from no carb to low carb diets, you may feel tempted to fall back into old habits, eating white pasta or baked goods. Instead, try to eat some of these low carb meals for weight loss success:

  • Rather than having carb-y cereals for breakfast, try drinking a protein shake with almond milk or fruit.
  • You could also try having eggs and a piece of whole wheat toast for breakfast, which would give you a healthy dose of protein along with a “good” carbohydrate.
  • A salad with a cut of meat makes a great, filling and low-carb dinner. Try making a spinach salad, then serving your salad with peanuts and sunflower seeds for a serving of protein, then grilled chicken breast for an additional protein source.
  • Get familiar with cooking meats and fish, which make great entrees for a high protein and low carb diet. Broil salmon in honey and soy and serve with sliced cucumbers and tomatoes or edamame.
  • For dessert, make a yogurt and fruit parfait instead of indulging in cookies and ice cream. You can curb your chocolate craving by garnishing your parfaits with cocoa powder or making a low-fat version of chocolate whipped cream.
  • If your chocolate craving still isn’t satiated, try making some chocolate covered raisins and putting them in your trail mix as a snack. This will give you a healthy dose of chocolate mixed in with some protein sources, like almonds or cashews. Just don’t overdo it on these fatty items!

If you are introducing carbohydrates back into your diet after a harsh couple of weeks or even months on the ketogenic or Adkins diet, keep these low carb meal ideas in mind for a healthier, more successful transition.

Creating Great Meal Ideas for Dinner

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We all know the typical, mealtime song and dance. Chicken goes with pasta, hamburgers go with fries, soups go with bread and butter, etc., etc., etc. So what if you want to get a little creative and stray from these typical meals? It’s incredibly easy to come up with great meal ideas for dinner if you know the basic building blocks for a meal.

#1 Meat or Protein: A protein is typically the main part of any dish. Yes, there are the exceptions, like in pasta dishes and stir frys, but generally a main course is a portion of protein accompanied with sides. This protein serving can be anything from chicken to lobster. If your main protein is an expensive cut of meat, try not to drown it out with a heavy sauce. Instead, let the flavors speak for themselves. Pick your protein wisely, as it will dictate the rest of your meal.

#2 Vegetable: Next comes the veggies. While vegetables aren’t critical to every meal, they do contribute to a healthy and wholesome diet and should be considered as you’re preparing meals for your family. Lobster pairs well with lighter-colored vegetables, like squash and zucchini, while a filet or steak is strong enough to bolster something a bit heavier, like grilled onions and mushrooms, or grilled asparagus. The grilled vegetables go well with the smoked tastes of a steak hot off the grill.

Another contributing factor to your vegetable selection could be the season. Pick vegetables that are in season for your meals so that you can get the freshest produce at the supermarket. There are plenty of info graphics online that can tell you what’s in season in your area.

#3 Starch: You can add further depth to your dish by contributing a starch to accompany your vegetable and protein. Corn tastes great with a lobster dish, jasmine rice looks elegant next to a cod or mahi mahi, and chicken goes with, well, basically anything. Shorter pastas, like penne, are versitle and can be sauced or spiced to go with nearly any main dish.

#4 Sweet: You can’t end a meal on a sour note. Instead, pick a sweet and lovely dessert to end your perfectly balanced meal. You can analyze the characteristics of your protein to decide on an adequate dessert. For example, if you’re dining on a filet mignon, you’ll want to end with something equally rich, like a chocolate-based dessert. If you’re preparing an American-style chicken, like one marinated in a honey-dijon sauce, you can follow it with an equally American dessert, like apple pie with some vanilla ice cream. For a main dish marinated or complimented with citrus, like seafood, a dessert with citrus, like a sorbet or a lemon merengue could be perfect.

There are several other factors you should keep in mind when you’re creating a meal. For example, color is crucial to any dish, so make your meal look appetizing by adding color through vibrant vegetables or garnishes. A well-arranged dish is also more appetizing than a dish that is haphazardly assembled. Try not to get too messy in the kitchen! Also remember that a salad or bread served before the main course may not necessarily account for your vegetable and starch, so serve all three factors (protein, veggie, and starch) all on the same plate, even if you’ve already served a preliminary course. You don’t want your protein to be lonely on the plate, all by itself. When in doubt, look to the category of the main dish’s preparation (American, Italian, Indian, Chinese, etc.) and choose your side dishes from there. You can’t go wrong.

Make Ahead Family Meal Ideas

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Eating has transformed from a family pastime into a rushed event. In fact, about 60% of us are sometimes or often rushed at mealtime, and one-third inhale lunch at our desks, according to a survey by the American Dietetic Association. Many of us, however, believe that meals should give us a time to enjoy our food or family conversation and that they shouldn’t be rushed. That’s where make ahead meals can give us a break. Instead of rushing home with takeout and scarfing down your dinner standing up, plan make ahead meals in advance and sit down with your family for a nice, long supper. Here are some foods that taste great straight out of the freezer. Adapt these three foods into your own make ahead family meal ideas for a more relaxing dinner experience.

Chicken Meal Ideas

Chicken is a versatile meat that can be used in plenty of meal ideas. Luckily, it freezes well, too. Great make-ahead meals include recipes like chicken pot pie, chicken casserole, and even chicken breast. Some chefs even say that chicken casseroles taste _better_ the second time around. If you want to prepare and serve a whole chicken, make sure to keep the chicken bones so that you can cook chicken stock for future use. Put chicken stock in Ziploc bags, freeze, and stack each bag horizontally to save space in the freezer.

Meatball Meal Ideas

Meatballs can be made in bulk and then have a variety of cooking uses. Throw some meatballs on pasta with pasta sauce for a classic Italian meal. You can also make a sweet and sour sauce to pair with meatballs as another dinner idea. Meatball sliders, meatball soup — whatever dish you choose, meatballs make for a great make-ahead meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Stew and Soup Meal Ideas

Mark Bittman, food writer for the New York Times, recommends making soups as great make-ahead meals. Some of his personal favorites? Thai squash soup and leek and potato soup, which both make for great vegetarian soups. Minestrone, chicken noodle, black bean, butternut squash, and even Italian wedding soup all freeze well and taste great when heated back up. Stews have a bit more heartiness to them, and can be easily made in a crock pot. Try whipping up a beef stew in red wine sauce, Moroccan lamb stew, or beer-braised chicken stew. All of these stews taste great after being defrosted and reheated.

Next time you have a free afternoon, make sure to prepare some make-ahead meals for those busy times. Then, when you’re in a time-crunch, you’ll have a meal already waiting at home. And there’s nothing better than that!