Prepping Ahead – a Helpful Dinner Strategy

by | Nov 1, 2022 | Article, Dinner Planning, Tips And Techniques, Uncategorized | 0 comments

Dinner Planning Tip:

Prep a few things ahead.

 

For as long as I can recall, I have been a planner and I like feeling prepared.

This plays out in my home kitchen all the time. I am not a “meal prepper” in the sense of making a week’s worth of meals all in one day. However, I do review my dinner plans and recipes each week to see if there are components that I wish to prepare ahead. Sometimes I prep items a few days ahead, other times it’s the morning of. My days tend to get very busy so it can be really helpful to cut up fruit, vegetables, or salad components, and make a vinaigrette, sauce, soup, stew, casserole, or whole grain ahead of time.

As you can imagine, I do even more forward prepping when I am hosting a party or doing a personal chef event.

And, if it works best for you to prep several nights’ meals ahead all in one day, by all means, go for it!

 

A FEW BENEFITS OF PREPPING AHEAD

For me, prepping ahead helps in the following ways.

  • Lowers stress levels, and provides a sense of calm and organization.
  • Saves time when dinner time hits and I am still engrossed in a project.
  • Is kinder to the pocketbook.
  • Lessens the need or urge to purchase a highly-processed alternative, which supports my health goals.
  • Can be inspiring and spurs ideas for using ingredients in new and different ways.
  • Keeps ingredients more front and center in my mind, helping to lessen food waste.

 

 

GETTING STARTED

  • Review your weekly dinner plan and recipes to identify items that can be prepared ahead without sacrificing quality.
  • Choose a day and time that works well to prepare the identified components or meals.
  • Package the prepped ingredients in airtight containers and ensure proper storage – pantry, refrigerator, freezer.
  • Think about preparing extra amounts of certain items that can be divided and frozen for later use, such as whole grains or spice blends. (Remember “cook once, eat twice”?)

 

TIP

  • Some ingredients are best used soon after preparation, such as cut tomatoes or fresh herbs, so hold off on prepping those items.

 

 

4 DINNER PLANNING IDEAS

To help with your weekly dinner planning routine, here are a few menu ideas along with prep-ahead suggestions.

Black Bean with Pork Stew served over brown rice and with a tossed salad on the side

  • The stew and the rice can be prepared several days ahead and refrigerated, or frozen if using later.
  • Many salad ingredients can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Store components separately in the refrigerator, then combine when ready to serve.
  • The vinaigrette or dressing can be prepared up to 5 days in advance.

 

Seafood and Veggie Skewers with Romesco Sauce

  • Keep the seafood properly chilled until ready to use. It may be thawed from a frozen state for up to one day ahead, and stored in the refrigerator.
  • The skewers can be assembled a few hours ahead if covered tightly and refrigerated. Or, store the prepared vegetables and seafood separately, then assemble the skewers just prior to cooking.
  • Prepare the Romesco sauce up to 5 days ahead. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator.

 

Eggplant Lasagna or Traditional Lasagna served with a tossed green salad or fresh fruit

  • The lasagna may be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, or frozen for later use.
  • Many salad ingredients can be prepared up to 2 days in advance. Store components separately in the refrigerator, then combine when ready to serve.
  • The vinaigrette or dressing can be prepared up to 5 days in advance.
  • Most fresh fruit can be prepped 1 – 2 days in advance.

 

SHARE

Do you like to prep ahead? If so, share one of your most helpful tips with us.

 

Images: Jenelle Botts Photography and Love + Craft Kitchen, LLC

© 2022 Love + Craft Kitchen, LLC, All Rights Reserved

 

Summary
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Prepping Ahead - a Helpful Dinner Strategy
Description
Prepping a few meals or recipe components ahead of time is a helpful dinner strategy, especially for busy work days.
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