CROCK POT WHATEVER!!

Crock Pot Whatever

Ground beef or stew meat.  I ALWAYS have both on hand.

In a Tupperware "cooker/stacker" (or frying pan if you don't have one - just drain the grease) pre-cook (in microwave about 8-9 minutes) ground beef (or stew meat) with dried onion flakes & some seasonings (I use homemade "Red Flame Seasoning" minus the MSG & extra white salt -- also in cookbooks).  The grease drops into the bottom. Breakup chunks, microwave till cooked through.  Put in zip lock bags.  Try to expel as much air as possible. Sandwich size is just over 1# cooked. Quart is about 2# cooked. Store in freezer.

     In the morning, empty one bag into crock pot, add sauce, broth, soup, chili beans, etc.  Limitless possibilities.  Also on top of the stove (last minute) any of the above and add pasta, veggies, etc.

  Favorites "Stroganoff, Taco Soup, spaghetti.

Chicken chunks

Bake fresh chicken breasts (you can get 6-8+ half breasts on one cookie sheet) in 350 degree oven about 1 hour.  Cool slightly.  Cut into pieces.  Put one half breast in zip lock bag. Try to expel as much air as possible.

          In the morning, empty one bag into crock pot, add sauce, broth, soup, chili beans, etc.  Limitless possibilities.  Also on top of the stove (last minute) any of the above and add pasta, veggies, etc.

  Favorites "Angel Chicken" or "Sweet & Sour Chicken" over rice.

     This has saved many calls from kids... "what's for dinner"?  Also, the kids can turn it on later in the day, if it doesn't need to cook all day.

     If you can't use them, that's fine, also.

From the Kitchen of Diane P.