Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

{Cooking} What’s for dinner?

August 9, 2013 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Cooking doesn’t come to me naturally, but I’ve learned to like to cook.

Sort of. {It should be noted baking is not the same as cooking in this case. I bake exactly two things that don’t come from a box. And one of those things does come partially from a box.}

I like to plan meals. I like to grocery shop. I don’t mind taking the time to prepare dinner. I have gained enough cooking confidence to tweak recipes after I’ve tried them once. But, honestly, a homecooked dinner is one of the first things to go when a day gets too crowded or I need to let go of a chore.

And I married a man that has never once made me feel like a slacker wife for sending a text at 5:05 p.m. and referring to whatever current circumstance prompts me to ask him to meet us for dinner or bring home dinner when he leaves the office.

Without meal planning, we’d never eat dinner at home. Or, rather, we’d never eat something that wasn’t carry-out at our table. Even the most simple meal planning helps me through the 4 o’clock hour when I need to decide what time to start cooking dinner. Jotting down meals and making sure I have the ingredients for them is enough to propel me to the kitchen and keeps me from asking, “What’s for dinner?”

Taking meal planning to the next level is even better. You know, when that actually happens. The two best ways for me have been freezer cooking and subscribing to eMeals.

_______

Freezer Cooking
Courtney is my freezer-cooking friend. Before we had school-age kids, we freezer cooked regularly. It’s been far too long since we made a productive mess while tackling a list of meals. I’m thankful we had a freezer cooking session yesterday before summer wraps up.

I’ve had a few people ask for recipes and for suggestions on a process, so I thought I’d share what we do. Like many things in life, there are many ways to go about it, but this is what works for us.

  • Find a time you can devote yourself to the kitchen. We typically block off a day and use every bit of at least six hours. Keep in mind we have four kids between us who want to eat lunch. {OTHER IDEAS: If you’re not making a day of it, doubling a recipe or diving a casserole are great ways to store extra meals in your freezer as you go about your regular cooking. One time I swapped meals with friends. In that case, I prepped one meal six times and then we all left with six different meals.}
  • Compile the list of recipes. Our go-to resources are “Don’t Panic – Dinner’s in the Freezer” and “Don’t Panic – More Dinner’s in the Freezer.” We’ve made several recipes out of these books more than once — and not just when we’re preparing meals to freeze. 
  • Make a grocery list. It’ll be long! Usually, Courtney and I decide what we want to make. And then I take all the recipes and list all the ingredients {in order of Kroger aisles, of course!}. Before I got to the grocery store, I mark off any items we have, like milk, eggs, soy sauce, or seasonings. 
  • Grocery shop. In our team, this is my job. I like to grocery shop more than Courtney does. So I just buy all the items and then we split the bill. {It’s quite an adventure if I’m shopping for our stuff as well as regular items for my own house. In fact, this most recent trip to Kroger for our freezer cooking goods came the day after I’d shopped for my family and was the only time I wasn’t juggling two lists, dividing groceries into two sections so I could keep the totals separate.} BONUS tip: We don’t necessarily plan ahead well enough, but if you watch your grocer’s ads and plan meals based on what meats are on sale, you’ll not only be prepared but save yourself some money.
  • Cook any meat ahead of time. Now, this may sound silly considering you’re already preparing to cook ahead of time. But the first few times we cooked, Courtney and I spent tons of time browning beef and cooking chicken. We finally realized if we’d throw some chicken in a Crock Pot before we met to prepare many meals, we’d be better off. {I learned this summer that frozen chicken breasts can be tossed into the Crock Pot and good just as well as the ones I wasted time thawing. Seriously.
  • Bring casserole dishes to store your meals. {If you don’t want to have your favorite Pyrex dishes in the freezer for weeks, then buy some of those disposable aluminum pans.} Soup and marinated meat are best stored in Zip-locs, so bring some of those along too. And foil works well to wrap those disposable pans freezer tight. 
  • Divide and label meals so it’s convenient for you. If your family won’t usually eat an entire 9-by-13 casserole, then divide it into two 8-by-8 dishes. If you’re supposed to top the casserole with cheese or leave it covered with foil to cook, then label it as such. So, yes, bring a roll of aluminum foil and a Sharpie so you know what’s in your freezer once you start piling it in there. 
And in the spirit of transparency, after six fun, productive hours in Courtney’s kitchen yesterday, I stashed all the lasagna, manicotti, chicken enchiladas, sesame chicken, pizza, chicken bundles, broccoli cheese soup, and meatballs in my freezer and then took my kids to dinner. My husband had a meeting. And, well, I had a full freezer. 

Now, for some recipes. This earlier post includes recipes for Parmesan Garlic Chicken, Hawaiian Chicken, Colorado Beef Enchiladas and Taco Soup. And another post includes Black Bean Tortilla Bake. Soups, lasagna and casseroles usually do well in the freezer.

Just don’t forget to thaw them before you actually want to bake/cook/heat them. Yes, I’m speaking from experience. 

_______
eMeals
I’ve mentioned eMeals more than once and recently posted about this subscription program. I even included a recipe for King Ranch Chicken Casserole. I have since then discovered an eMeals recipe that may go down as my favorite. I already want to make it again, but I don’t want to burn out my family on this one recipe. {I sort of do with recipes what I do with new songs I discover: Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.}

Our only complaint about the Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken is we wanted more. All four of us wanted more. Isn’t dinner truly a success when the kids are asking for more? 

Now, I was really glad to discover Kroger carries bags of frozen stir-fry rice and vegetables. I mean, who knew this even existed?! It was alright, although my own fried rice is better and isn’t really that complicated so when I put this recipe on repeat, I’ll probably break out some of my own rice mixture, you know, the one made from instant rice and frozen Asian-seasoned vegetables. Yeah, that’s how homemade works around here.

Yes, you have to pay for eMeals. But it’s worth it when the seven meals planned and organized into a list according to my specific grocery store chain show up in my inbox. It’s usually three or four pages. Each recipe looks like the one above with the ingredient, instructions, preparation/cooking time estimate, and suggested side dish. I don’t always make the side dishes planned, but they are helpful for inspiring side dishes that are in our family’s regular rotation.

It’s totally a worthwhile investment of our family, especially because the recipes have been easy and don’t require tons of prep time. And, hey, I’ve got a deal for you: Use the code SCHOOL15 to save 15% off any new purchase of an eMeals plan.

So, what’s for dinner?

________

You can read previous freezer cooking posts here. Want more stories? Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’. Subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.” Affiliate links included.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: food, freezer cooking, friends

Comments

  1. Alecia Simersky says

    August 9, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    I applaud you for doing this. I did it once and was too overwhelmed to do it again! 🙂 I love emeals, I have been using their Clean eating menu for the last several months and the recipes are very tasty.

    Reply
  2. KristinHillTaylor says

    August 11, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    I've loved the recipes on the plan I've been using, so I'm excited to see how the Crock Pot ones are. I'm sure they'll be good too. I'm glad you've liked the ones you've been getting too. Such a great service!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our ninth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear sixth-grade boy, and our joy-filled kindergarten girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • Books of 2022 … so far
  • Helping adopted teens belong
  • Laundry talk
  • Brave Ben & his broken heel
  • Fifteen

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

My kids had a yearbook signing party today. And ki My kids had a yearbook signing party today. And kids today don’t know how to sign yearbooks. Cate, my rising sophomore, says it’s because they have phones to take photos and text each other. She’s probably right. 

But the whole conversation and experience took me down memory lane. So much so, I got these yearbooks from my high school days off my bookshelf and read notes. Admittedly, I can’t remember a few people who proclaimed what a great friend I was and I never called some people who wanted to KIT — that’s Keep In Touch, kids — and left their phone numbers (and pager number in one instance!)! 🤣 

I also proceeded to text the three friends (well, really, five, because two girls married two guy friends of mine) with whom I do actually KIT. I have their numbers saved in my iPhone, thankfully. We have made grown-up memories together. We message and try to see each other. My husband knows their maiden names. 

Truly, how has it been 25 years since I graduated from Oldham County High School? I’m sitting on the porch now, rememebering how faithful God has been and thinking about how high school seems like a lifetime ago but also like yesterday. 💙

HAGS, everybody! 

#memorylane #highschool #livingfaithfully #yearbooks #choosingJOY #reallife
Cat nap! 💕 #catsofinstagram #thirdchild #napt Cat nap! 💕 

#catsofinstagram #thirdchild #naptimeshenanigans #PorchStories #reallife #88daysofsummer #summerisbest
A weekend mostly at home meant I read this domesti A weekend mostly at home meant I read this domestic thriller. I’ve always seen @diane.chamberlain.author’s books, but this was the first one I read. I’ve already downloaded others to my Kindle. 

Living with a secret is all Eve Elliot knows. Her life unravels when she confesses to what she knows and there are ripple effects for her husband and two daughters. I thought I had it all figured out and then there was another surprise right at the end! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #booklover #weekending
Little fish 🐠 big pool 💦 happy place ☀️ Little fish 🐠 big pool 💦 happy place ☀️

#poolpeople #thirdchild #88daysofsummer #choosingJOY #PorchStories #weekending #momlife
Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honest Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honestly, it’s hard to believe two-plus years later, and COVID is still interrupting all kinds of things. I know it’s a privilege to travel, but there’s still disappointment. Regardless, we can’t board a cruise ship in Canada on Monday to go to Alaska when my boy tested positive for COVID last night. (Yes, twice. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

But the real point of this post: we are regrouping and going to Wisconsin Dells next week. I’m excited to see somewhere new, even if it’s not what I’d been planning. Let’s be honest, the logistics to get to the cruise were already a lot, so maybe this closer-to-home trip is meant to be right now. 

Anyway, who has been to Wisconsin Dells area? We found a condo and have a list of things going, but I’m accepting all entertainment and restaurant recommendations.

#wisconsindells #reallife #covid_19 #covid #momlife #88daysofsummer #summervacation
I don’t really want to get into an abortion deba I don’t really want to get into an abortion debate here, but I will always champion the unborn, advocate for life, and support mothers and families. When I say “choose life,” I mean in and out of the womb. Choosing life begins with not having an abortion, but it continues to advocating for adoption, foster care, support for moms in lots of different situations. 

Western Kentucky is blessed with resources that do this, including @lifehousemurray in Murray and @_hopecenter in Mayfield. Those are great places to send your money and diapers, recommend to moms expecting or raising little ones, and keep in your prayers. 

If you know someone fostering, we have Partners In Care Foster Closet that offers clothes and supplies to western Kentucky foster families. No strings attached. 

I will forever be an open book about adoption, so I’ll be happy to talk about that with anyone who desires to know more. I even wrote a book about our adoption stories: bit.ly/PeaceInTheProcess #linkinbio 

My three kids have life because three women chose it for them. Those decisions changed my life for the better, and that’s only one piece of a much bigger story. 

#prolife #chooselife #adoptionislove #momlife #authorlife #livingfaithfully #PeaceInTheProcess #reallife #unplannedpregnancy #adoption #family #sisters #siblinglove #currentevents #roevwade #lifematters
Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I've read 40 books. That pace is well beyond my usual number for the year. Last year I read 62 total. I don't join challenges, plan what I'm going to read next, or even have a goal. But I still love keeping track. 

Some things to know about my reading habits: I like actual books, but I've been reading often on my waterproof Kindle Paperwhite. I introduced audiobooks into my life this year and especially enjoyed some memoirs while I was driving around while the kids were in school. I will quit books if I can't get into them, and I've done that a few times this year. I almost always have a book (or books, hello, Kindle) with me, you know, just in case I happen upon some time to read. Here are some other tips for making time for books and reading more.

Today #ontheblog I'm sharing the list of the 40 books I've read so far this year. #linkinbio What else do I need to read this year?

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #librarybooks #bloggerlife #amreading #favoritethings #choosingJOY
The third installment in Abby Jimenez’s The Frie The third installment in Abby Jimenez’s The Friend Zone series may have been my favorite in this enjoyable rom-com series that also takes on some serious topics. (See two previous #KHTreads posts for the other two!)

I was reading it on my Kindle, but then I was early to pick up one of my kids … and realized I forgot my Kindle. I swung by the library and read a few chapters in print while I waited. I couldn’t waste reading time! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #reallife #momlife #romcombooks
We’ve taken Cate on two mission trips to Guatema We’ve taken Cate on two mission trips to Guatemala with our family, but sending her with our @hardinbaptistchurch family still felt like a big deal. I’m so thankful for the influence @cbright2, @j.essicalouis, @maggiehelms, and others get to have on my girl during these important high school years.

Cate and her friends got to help host a block party, serve at a local church, work in community gardens and at a foster home, and see some Chicago sites. Through it all, I’m thankful she could draw nearer to Jesus and experience ministry in a new way. 

#livingfaithfully #momlife #firstborn #churchlife #88daysofsummer #missiontrip
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2022 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM