On Sun, 12 Mar 2006 18:41:27 GMT, (Curly
Sue) wrote:


My issue is that I don't like using
plastic disposables (bags, etc.) on a routine basis, but there appears
to be no suitable reusable freezer containers of that type. Most other
things can go in the reusable containers.

I wash out ziploc bags and re-use them many times. (Unless they've had
meat or tomato sauce or something like that.)

I'll use them for salad stuff for a while, then maybe cheese, muffins,
breads, etc. They are easy to wash, and if you turn them inside out
they dry nicely.

Jo Anne

"~patches~" wrote in message
...

I've have become quite frugal regarding freezer space. We have an 18 cf
freezer in the garage, 7 cf in the house and the SBS freezer section. DH
wants to eliminate the 18 cf. I freeze a lot of vegetables and we buy
meat in bulk so I can't see it.

We bought a standalone freezer when I bought the first lamb, and since then
it's been pretty much full all the time. Stuff rotates in and out, but I'm
always finding some need to buy something either because it's on sale, it's
seasonal, or I have to drive a distance to buy it. Or when I make things in
bulk.



DH likes being in the kitchen. I don't like the messes he makes since he
is not a clean it up as you go cook. Some of his dishes are better than
what I make and it makes a welcomed break. I think together we work
nicely. I do the same on Sundays except freeze some of the leftovers. I
find cooking to be a great stress releaser myself and I get very antsy if
I have to go a few days without cooking.


I've actually been trying to cook in smaller quanities instead of planning
on a lot of leftovers. Roasts and things like that, I always end up with
leftovers, but that's okay, because the next meal is something different.
But now that I have the time to cook, and I've been in the mood to try
different recipes, I want to make something new every day. So even if we're
doing leftovers, there's usually something new on the plate -- even if it's
just an appetizer.

As far as cooking as a stress reliever, I know what you mean. I find it
relaxing and somehow energizing at the same time.

My mother, on the other hand, used to like to make soup when she was mad. I
think it was something about hacking up the vegetables. She didn't get any
calmer, though. I remember coming home from school one day and there were
three different pots of soup cooking, and she was still whacking away at
vegetables. I knew it was going to be an unpleasant evening.


Yep! I'm home most days now with the exception of personal/family things
going on. Now as far as cooking I'm a little more spur of the moment.
When I was on the go full tilt and had to have food on the table for DH
and the kids, it was a lot more structured.

I'm usually thinking a couple meals in advance as far as what I want to cook
next. Sometimes it's a recipe I've read here, or sometimes it's something
from a cookbook or food TV or just something that I feel like making. Right
now I know there's corned beef in the lineup, and I've had a taste for
potstickers, so that will happen eventually.

"Curly Sue" wrote in message
...

I am not satisfied with the storage of the bread. After it cools and
I cut it up, I have some plastic containers that are just the right
size for 2-3 slices. However, the containers are very brittle when
frozen and don't last long. My issue is that I don't like using
plastic disposables (bags, etc.) on a routine basis, but there appears
to be no suitable reusable freezer containers of that type. Most other
things can go in the reusable containers.

It drives me crazy to see the TV chefs that specialize in quick meals
for soccer moms (eg. Robin Miller) open the refrigerator and pull out
zipper plastic bags into which they've put their pre-chopped stuff.
"How easy and convenient! Meal kits!" Oh yeah, don't worry what
happens once you're done with the plastic. It disappears! It goes
away! Like magic! Nothing matters but your convenience for your
little life! Smile smile smile!

Actually it wouldn't bug me as much if she was freezing stuff in
plastic bags with one of those vacuum systems, at least I can see
there is a purpose for that. But why not put chopped peppers and
onions in the 'fridge in a tupperware bowl for two days instead of
creating more landfill?

Sorry, I had to get that out of my system


Robin Miller's thing is fast and easy, and people who have that as a
priority will think that throwing out plastic bags is preferable to washing
a plastic container.

Most of her shortcuts don't seem that valuable to me. I mean, how long does
it take to cut up an onion or pepper? I'd rather have the veggie whole until
I use it. And if I'm going to cook that onion or pepper or whatever, I have
to wait for the pot/pan to heat up.

Pre-cooking some meat -- chicken breasts or whatever -- and dividing it for
use in different meals makes sense as a timesaver because you're saving the
cooking time the second time around. But a lot of people would consider that
a creative use of leftovers rather than a time-saving formula.

Actually, I don't have much objection to the few recipes I've seen Robin
Miller cook, but a lot of her do-ahead prep work just doesn't make sense to
me. Some of the meals take a while to cook, so that the minute or two she
saves cutting up some vegetables doesn't seem like it would make any
difference in the long run..