How I Cook to Get Things Done

When I was first learning how to cook it took all my attention just to get everything on the table, hot, at the same time.

But once you’re past that stage, you find lots of time where you have a spare 10 or 15 or 20 minutes while you’re waiting for something to happen. If your kids are young, this is fantastic! You can help with homework, engage with their play, or read a very short book. 😉  But when your kids get older, you might find yourself wasting this time. Don’t!  Think ahead to the next meal or the one after that!

Tonight, I pulled out the other half of the filling for  a chicken pot pie I had made last week. I made up a fresh pie crust for the topping tonight since I didn’t have one in the freezer. (I often freeze any extra pie crust for later.)  I defrosted the pot pie filling partially in the microwave and the rest of the time on the stove on low while I made the pie crust. Poured the filling in a pie tin and topped with the crust and put in at 425 to bake for half an hour.

When I put the pie crust over the pot pie there was extra hanging over, so I cut it off and put it on a small cookie sheet and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, then baked for 10 minutes or so. Makes a great snack or dessert.

I still had some time before dinner. Potatoes had been on sale this week, $1.99 for a 10 pound bag, the best price we ever see around here so I bought a bag.  I peeled 4 pounds or so and diced, then parboiled until barely done, drained them, and flash froze on a cookie sheet. After dinner I took them off the cookie sheet and put them in a gallon freezer bag. Now we’ll have some quick and easy fried potatoes for lunch or dinner.