how many do once a month cooking?

**sunshine** · 04-18-2010, 09:02 AM

These are the things we do in huge batches and freeze:

meatloaf (we do 20 meatloaves at one time)

pizza - I par bake the crusts, add toppings, the put in 2 gallon zip lock bags. We bought a bunch of pizza pans at the Dollar Store, specifically for this purpose)

sloppy joes

chicken and noodles

lasagna

chili

sausage/egg biscuits

pancakes

waffles

french toast

**savvy_sniper** · 04-18-2010, 09:32 AM

I don't do OAMC, but I have looked into it.

I DO pretty much cook AT LEAST a double batch of most anything and then put the extra in the fridge or freezer for later use. That way I always have quick and easy home cooked food when I don't have the time or aren't in the mood to cook. It is very little extra work, but the rewards are priceless!

**mauimagic** · 04-18-2010, 06:13 PM

Doing OAMC has always been a goal or mini goal at least, but have never gotten fully into the swing of it - have done it here or there, but never with the zest and enthusiasm and planning that I think it requires.

Perhaps it would be helpful if some would post some of their recipes or processes that they use. Freezer size is also a consideration.

Glad that you brought this us jas, I'm going to see how I can adjust his to our lives - even if it's for a two week period.

**MyMelody** · 04-19-2010, 09:05 AM

I would love to do OAMC, but would need to do smaller batches for just DH and me. Freezer space is a concern here, too! I know tater tot casserole will freeze well unbaked and so will tuna noodle casserole if you undercook the noodles. My grandmother freezes entire bags of spaghetti, including the noodles, and I assume she undercooks hers, too, because it always defrosts well.

Here is one resource I have read through a lot that may give some ideas:

Make Ahead Recipes - OAMC - Recipes to Make Ahead of Time - Once a Month Cooking - Freeze Crockpot Leftovers

I have a way that I cook chicken with salsa, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder that might freeze well, and it's very versatile -- I've used it on top of salads, in quesadillas, enchiladas, open faced tacos, would probably also be good on baked potatoes, so maybe I could give that a try.

ETA: sunshine, how long do you "par-bake" the pizza crusts? I would really like to try this! I have also heard you can freeze pizza dough in bags and thaw when needed. Anyone know anything about this?

**lwlynch** · 04-19-2010, 09:29 AM

I do all kinds of stuff.. just depends on the mood.
>frozen pbj rounds (store them each in a sandwich bag and then in an ice buckey)
>frozen single serving deserts
>jello cups (24 at a time these go in fridge)
>pulled pork and divide in bags and put all in one big bag (freeze)
>sloppy joe (freeeze)
>turkey stuffing in smaller bags and then in a big bag to pull out and put on plate (freezer)
>Ham > re-portion and freeze
>personal pizzas - pitas all made like pizza and frozen separately and then when frozen layered with a piece of wax paper in between in a ice cream bucket
> potatoe skins- bake potatoes- scoop out and cut skins in half-lay on sheet pan and freeze- when frozen-I rebag about 24 in each and put inside an icecream tub
these are just some of the things i do..
I am going to look into the seal a meals and saw somewhere you can boil in the bag. that would be a quick for spagetti and homemade spagettios..

**sunshine** · 04-19-2010, 08:32 PM

I make the pizza dough -- pat it out to the size we want. . . and bake for about 10 minutes. . . just so the top is starting to brown. . . take out, add topping and freeze. . . then take the frozen pizza and bake. . .

**mauimagic** · 04-20-2010, 12:05 AM

We are slowly cleaning out the freezer and I am going to start planning for cooking for more than one meal - son't think I'll get to the real OAMC yet, but I want to build up to it!! Will let you know what I decide to make and how it goes!!

**Vanilla** · 04-20-2010, 01:09 AM

About 12 yrs ago, I took a short course offered by the local community about 'cooking once a month', I bought that receipe book from & by that instructor. Very interesting, I tried out that OAMC, a lot of menu planning, then prepare a shopping list, then use a good part of a day to do shopping, & the next day to cook from scratch (chopping, dicing, etc). The freezer needed to be cleaned out or at least 90% of it. Need containers/bags for freezer.
The most important part is how to cool down the cooked food quick enough & freeze immediately to minimize chance of spoilt/contaminated food.
I had trouble with the last part, my kitchen counter top & fridge space was all used up, the fridge temp was higher because of all the 'just cooked' food. Lots of pots & pans to clean, labeling containers & such. I did that OAMC one time, couldn't bring myself to do it again. I remembered I was so tired & so sick of looking at the food I cooked, that we went out to eat.
But I like the receipes in that cookbook, because it mentioned where to stop & freeze, then defrost & finish cooking & adding some final touches before serving.
I do a lot of 'triple the portion & freeze 2 portions' kind of cooking.

**G'MaDebbie** · 04-20-2010, 11:56 AM

I found this website that seems to be very informative.....makes me want to try and do OAMC......we will see!

April 2010 OAMM Menu by Once A Month Mom | OAMC from Once A Month Mom

**AnW819** · 04-20-2010, 02:25 PM

Prolly in 3 weeks I am gonna try this...if it works out I may do this for the rest of my life. I love cooking and don't mind cooking all day but after work.whew I am beat!

**Lady_V** · 04-20-2010, 05:01 PM

Oh how I have missed doing OAMC !!!

My fridge comes soon (May 7) and I am already looking forward to being able to do it again.

RecipeZaar has a lot of inspirations

**marjorie** · 04-20-2010, 06:33 PM

I tend to buy lots of a product, and make meals from it OAMC style. Last time i started with chicken and made
chicken soup
Buffalo Chicken Dip
pasta/chicken/broccoli/cheese sauce chicken meal
hunter stew

It works similarly with beef...
When I try to do too much at a time I get discouraged, but 2-3 hours doesn't seem like much of a sacrifice for meals when I need them.

**Luckybustert** · 04-24-2010, 10:14 AM

I haven't tried this yet but I want to. Not sure I want to do all the dishes afterwards...lol...but the end result of having a freezer full of pre-cooked meals sounds very appealing!

**Palooka** · 04-25-2010, 12:57 AM

Originally Posted by Luckybustert

I haven't tried this yet but I want to. Not sure I want to do all the dishes afterwards...lol...but the end result of having a freezer full of pre-cooked meals sounds very appealing!

And that's the beauty of it! I loved to pull out my hm healthy muffins from the freezer for breakfast and my Italian low fat soup for lunch. Yep, it was a lot of work but it really paid off.

I need to start slowly back into it.