[jas]

I love the idea of it

What types of things do you cook that lend themselves well to this method of cooking.

Not that I have done lots of it, just a few meals here and there nothing that would really be considered OMAC.

Things like meatloaf, meatballs, cooked and shredded chicken and beef. soups.

 

[craftypam]

I have done this kind of the same way you have. About a month ago I made double recipes of chili, spaghetti w/o noodles and goulash w/o noodles. I don't do this enough. It is sooo nice to not have to cook every night or when you come in late and are trying to find a quick meal w/o going out you have one ready to eat.

 

[IntlMom]

this is one of those things that I have never done, but it on my list of things I'd really love to attempt.....

 

[jas]

There are several books out there on the subject and I had one at one time. I will have to look into more meals that lend themselves to this method.

I really could get into having a big cooking day and having things ready to be pulled out at anytime.

I guess it is mostly the main dish of the meal that is cooked ahead. I am sure for the really experienced they include sides and desserts also.

 

[Libby]

I'd love to make enough spaghetti sauce, soups & cooked meat all frozen into portions for 4ppl for 2wks to a month but my dad is opposed to it and as soon as I made it and froze it, he'd be thawing it for dinner the next day until its all gone. I don't think he understands the concept of me making our own hm frozen dinners lol. I mean we'd only have to make pasta, rice or salad to go with the frozen item!

To those of you who are able to do this - I'm envious.

 

[Palooka]

I was into this for a short time. Well not true OAMC but more like mini sessions.

I made soups, pasta dishes, twice baked potatoes, and muffins. It was a lot of work but it did pay off. I loved seeing the freezer filled and just being able to grab and go.

I always keep telling myself that I need to get back to this, but never do.

 

[AnW819]

I want to do this. I REALLY want to do this. I never have time to cook dinner, ever. This would rock! Must go researching!!!

 

[craftypam]

Palooka,

Did the potatoes freeze well? I never froze potatoes.

Thx Pam

 

[kittykatstrong]

I freeze for breakfast alot. Waffles, muffins, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches. My DH hates "frozen" food so I tend not to do dinner type stuff. But it saves a ton of time in the morning.

 

[daughter of pearl]

I freeze soups, spaghetti sauce, chili, muffins. I usually try to have one week out of every month be spontaneous, to use up leftovers etc. so I work on a three week plan.

 

[Libby]

Palooka,

Did the potatoes freeze well? I never froze potatoes.

Thx Pam

We freeze 3/4 cooked boiled potatoes here. We leave them on a dish on the counter to thaw out then either continue boiling them for either boiled taters or mashed taters. No problems if you're doing it this way.

Not sure how Palooka does it.

 

[Palooka]

Palooka,

Did the potatoes freeze well? I never froze potatoes.

Thx Pam

They did. I flashed freeze first. They were the twice baked kind and I just put them on a pan right into the freezer and after a certain time(can't remember, just almost frozen) I put them in baggies. They were so yummy and I just nuked them for lunch.

I found the recipe on the net somewhere. Oh and they were the low fat version.

 

[frugalwarrior2]

Palooka-very interesting. We do mashed potatoes. smooshed flat in a gallon bag. you can break off chunk,defrost and add butter.

I did oamc modified. Lately,not. The key for me was a list of what meals I had and a menu plan. Frying up about 10# of ground beef is good. I make nachos,chili,soup w/ a handful of hamb. thrown in.

 

[fairydana]

This is a really great idea!! I dont know if I could be organized enough to do it all at once. Then I dont have freezer space to store it. It would be great though!!

 

[mama2James]

I'm thinking of trying some of the oamc recipes when I got back to work in a couple of weeks. I work three 12 hr shifts a month, so having something to pull out of the freezer would really help my husband prepare dinner on my work days!

 

[sunshine]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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..