by Gordon Hamilton

Created on: June 29, 2009

There are a couple of dangers which we have to take account of when considering taking the stress out of dinnertime with meals made ahead of time. We have to ensure that by making the meals ahead of time, we are not going to allow them to become contaminated in any way and we have to ensure that they are still going to be edible and hopefully tasty.

The best and safest way of taking the stress out of dinnertime with meals made ahead of time is to make different dishes in large portions and freeze them in portions which are suitable for one meal. Meals made ahead of time in this way could include such as stews, Chilli con Carne, soups and a whole host of other one-pot wonders which can simply be allowed to cool before being packaged in small plastic containers and popped in the deep freeze. There is no need even to thaw many of these meals beforehand when the dinnertime at which they are to be eaten arrives. They can simply be popped out of the carton in to a pot or pan and heated at first very slowly until they begin to defrost and then at a more moderate heat until they are thoroughly reheated. Please note here that the word, "Thoroughly," is of paramount importance!

Another way in which we can take the stress out of dinnertime with meals made ahead of time is by preparing salads. Vegetables such as lettuce, tomato, cucumber and a whole host of others can be washed, prepared and refrigerated. A chicken can perhaps be poached the night before and again allowed to cool before being carved and refrigerated to be enjoyed with the salad at the following evening's dinnertime.

A piece of roast meat is an excellent idea to take the stress out of dinnertime with meals made ahead of time. It can be roasted the night before, cooled and refrigerated and then served the following evening as one would cold cuts of meat. Beef and ham are two excellent types of meat which work well in this way. If desired, the beef can be served with some quickly prepared warm gravy or the ham or pork with some warmed apple sauce. Potatoes as an accompaniment can be made virtually as the table is being set.

It is imperative that we remember food safety at all times when we are considering taking the stress out of dinnertime with meals made ahead of time. If we are in any doubt as to the safe use of certain ingredients and how to such as reheat them, we must not take the risk. One such ingredient is rice, as for rice to be safely eaten cold or reheated, it has to be cooled rapidly or potentially life-threatening bacteria could very well form.

There are therefore an infinite number of ways for taking the stress out of dinnertime with meals made ahead of time and if one simply sits down some evening and has a brainstorming session - perhaps with the assistance of Google? - the time savings which can be achieved can be spectacular. As long as the prime consideration is of course always adhered to: safety first at all times.

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