Being busy doesn’t mean having to sacrifice the comfort of a home-cooked meal. Over the weekend, my sister shared in our group chat how she spent her quiet Saturday morning, not relaxing, but cooking. With a large mug of coffee in hand, she focused on meal prepping for her family’s busy school season. Soon, their days will be filled with tumbling practice, soccer games near and far, and the endless social activities that come with having teens.
By planning and preparing ahead, she reduces the need for takeout and gives herself more time to cheer her kids on from the sidelines. She has prepared a variety of dishes, from complete meals like lasagna and tater tot casserole to bases for soups, like chicken noodle (adding the noodles fresh while reheating). Although we are in different seasons of life and have a very different background in cooking, our family always comes together where there is food.
Batch cooking can make busy times so much easier! Spending a little time on meal preparation now can give you a lot more time with family later. The time it takes to make a large batch of tomato sauce is almost the same as a small batch. Think of it this way — in a commercial kitchen, we do not make tomato sauce for every order. That takes too much time, and time is important.
Making meals ahead of time doesn’t mean you have to lose the freshness, either. When preparing many meals ahead, it is helpful to make a list, so you remember what is in the freezer. I also label and date everything! This may be a habit from being in a commercial kitchen, but it is a lifesaver. We also use the FIFO (first in first out) method in commercial kitchens. Keeping a habit of rotating the old to the front or top will make it easy to rotate stock and keep it tasting fresh and not freezer burnt. Another great way to keep food tasting fresher longer is to use a vacuum sealer.
It is easy to grab a go-to comfort food out of the freezer and pair it with a little something fresh. It doesn’t take much to make a nice, simple and fresh salad to go with your already prepared lasagna or casserole. A simple salad vinaigrette over greens and vegetables can make a meal feel complete. The traditional French formula for a balanced vinaigrette is: 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil. However, many modern recipes tend to add more vinegar or acid. Use this formula as a guide to make something new and tasty for your family. See the recipe below for inspiration.
There is nothing better than being able to come together with the people you care about and enjoy a meal — even at the busiest of times. My sister shared her tried and true tater tot casserole recipe, a longtime family favorite, and I’ve included an easy vinaigrette recipe to elevate any salad. We hope these recipes bring comfort and ease to your dinner table and inspire you to cook a meal to enjoy with your family!
Tator tot casserole
This tater casserole has been a family favorite for years. It’s simple to make, kid-friendly and the perfect comfort food for a hectic evening.
Ingredients
2 lbs. ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option)
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. chicken soup base
1/2 cup milk
1 family sized can cream of chicken soup (26 oz.)
8 oz. shredded Colby Jack (small bag)
32 oz. bag frozen tots
Optional: Sprinkle the tots with chipotle ranch seasoning or seasoned salt about 25 minutes into baking for a little extra flavor.
Instructions
In a medium pan, brown beef and drain off excess liquid. Stir in garlic powder and onion powder (to taste). Add soup base (this is where your salt comes from), and mix thoroughly.
Stir in cream soup and milk; mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into a greased 9x13 casserole dish.
Top with shredded cheese. Layer frozen tots on top. They do not need to be perfect!
Bake uncovered at 375° for 35-40 minutes.
Freezer notes: to freeze, prepare the casserole through step 3. Cover tightly, and store for up to 3 months in the freezer. When you are ready to bake, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Simple vinaigrette
With just a few pantry staples, you can whip this up in minutes.
Ingredients
1/4 salt
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/4 cups vegetable or olive oil
1/2 cup grated parmesan
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a jar with a tight lid. Shake well. If you’re not eating immediately, store in the refrigerator.
About
Lincoln Land Community College offers credit programs in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management and Baking/Pastry, and non-credit cooking and food classes through LLCC Community Education.
Cooking or food questions? Email epicuriosity101@llcc.edu.