KITCHEN FITNESS

Keeping dinnertime as simple as possible requires some planning ahead.  A short period over the weekend or after dinner while someone else is cleaning up the dinner dishes can make all the difference in the world.

Here is something you can try that has worked for me very well.

PRE-COOK AND FREEZE LARGE BATCHES OF RICE

 

 1.  Precook and freeze your own long grain rice.  It's cheap and easy. You can mix different kinds as long as they require similar cooking times.  I mix long grain brown with wild, 3:1 approx.


Method:


In a large skillet or pot with a tight fitting lid pour 2 cups of long grain brown rice, or the mix you choose
Add half teaspoon of salt (optional) and a bit each of onion powder and garlic powder
You can use real diced onion and garlic if you like
Mix 3 cups water or stock or mixture with 1.5 cups tomato juice or orange juice or whatever flavour you like
Pour this 4.5 cups of liquid over the rice, stir to mix
Bring to a boil with the lid on, turn down to a low simmer and cook until all liquid is gone
I usually set the timer for 30 minutes and then check it and keep resetting for another few minutes each time
When the liquid is absorbed (often about 40 minutes cooking time total) turn off the heat and let it sit
I stir it up a bit with a fork to fluff it and let it sit for an hour or so or whenever you can get back to it
Then I freeze it in containers or zip lock freezer bags that hold just enough for my family


You can experiment with flavours by using different stocks.  You can add some cooked veggies to it when you re-heat it for a meal.


To use I take it out of the freezer in the morning to have it thawed by dinner.  Put it in a microwave safe bowl, add about 1 tablespoon of liquid and microwave on high until hot, stirring part way through cooking time.  A minute or two should do it.


You can double this or do two different batches with different flavourings at the same time.  Just label the containers so you know which is which in the freezer.

And while all this is cooking you can throw together a meat loaf or a casserole or do a couple of other chores you want to get out of the way.

Try to do something like this once a week, always cooking in bulk and freezing.  Teach your kids or if they are older try it together.  It's good for them to see you learning something new.  Let them do it and learn together.

Within a few weeks you will find you have enough variety in the freezer to significantly lighten your load at dinner time.