Back to School: 4 Cooking Tips for Busy Families

Tips to prevent freezer burn! Credit: thebittenword.com

I don’t have school-age kids yet, but I hear it from all other parents: Once school starts, things get hectic. Those lazy summer days vanish with the heat, traded for after-school activities, homework and other commitments. Makes sitting down to a family meal all the more difficult than it already is, so who doesn’t need a few cooking tips for getting meals on the table?

Two things that I know would help me out immensely in the kitchen are Crock-Pot cooking and using my freezer more than I do. Once I get organized, I swear, I will be using these cooking tips and freezing pointers from Ortega.

4 Cooking Tips for Busy Families

1. Freeze smart. Separate appetizers, meatballs, cookies or candy on a baking sheet, freeze solid, then transfer them to a container. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from clumping together. Then thaw for a delicious cooked dinner on a busy week night.

2. Bag broths and sauces. Freeze liquids flat in plastic bags, then stand them up sideways for storage. They’ll take up less space and thaw faster for cooking.

3. Cool foods before freezing. Cooling food first speeds up the freezing process and reduces condensation. The faster food freezes, the fresher it tastes when thawed. Cool initially on the counter, then immediately refrigerate to hasten cooling. When completely cool, place in the freezer, properly wrapped.

4. Pack food tightly. Squeeze excess air out of bags to prevent freezer burn. Fill containers full, leaving a little space at the top to prevent liquids from expanding and sticking to the lid.

Are you organized enough to freeze things ahead of time? —Erin