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Make ahead-meals cut the stress out of dinnertime by allowing you quality time to relax with your family. No one feels like cooking, after a day on the go, however, our families must be fed. With a little careful planning, you can serve delicious, nutritious meals without all the stress.

Crock-pot

The crock-pot is king of the kitchen when it comes to make-ahead meals. It's almost like magic. Load the ingredients in the morning and when you come home its done, complete with gravy or sauce. What could be simpler?

Try a pot roast with potatoes, carrots, onions, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms bell pepper and seasonings of choice. Place everything in the crock-pot, add one cup of coffee and go about your day. You will return home to an aroma, which will bring them to the table, on time. Serve with brown-n-serve rolls.

Cold weather calls for foods to warm you up. Place ingredients for chili in the crock pot in the morning and serve up steaming bowls full with cheese for topping, crispy crackers and a side salad of tossed greens. The salad can also be prepared ahead and stored in a zip-lock bag.

Cook a pork roast with barbecue sauce in a crock-pot while you are working. Serve on a toasted bun with make-ahead potato salad.

Casseroles

Casseroles are another way to cut the stress out of dinnertime meals. Most casseroles can be stored in the freezer for several weeks and retain their flavor and nutritional value. Thaw them in the refrigerator while you are about your busy day and reheat when you return home.

Baked Potato Night

Scrub potatoes the night before. Prepare toppings such as steamed broccoli, grated cheese and crumbled bacon. Store in the refrigerator with ranch dressing, butter, sour cream or other favorite topping.

Start your oven preheating as soon as you come home and toss in the potatoes. As the potatoes bake, make some toasty garlic bread. In one hour, you will have a sure-fire crowd-pleasing meal.

Other make-ahead meals

Marinade chicken and vegetables in zesty Italian dressing. Try Japanese eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, onions, etc. Grill everything and cut to bite sized pieces. Toss with penne pasta, chopped basil and fresh mozzarella cheese. This is delicious served hot or cold and can be kept in the refrigerator for several days.

Make burritos or tacos with make-ahead fillings. Shred lettuce, chop tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and peppers, re-fry leftover beans, grate cheese and fry chicken, beef or pork strips. Store each item in its own container. Then simply reheat the meat and beans and allow each family member to build their own meal. Great fun as well as being nutritious.

Try to involve all family members in make-ahead dinnertime prep by delegating duties to each. Dinnertime should not be stressful. It's a time for families to come together and share. Just a little planning gives your family quality time for bonding and warm memories to keep forever.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Kay.
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