Power Cooking: Thinking Outside the (Ice) Box

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses various approaches to power cooking, particularly focusing on meal preparation that can be done in bulk and frozen for later use. Participants share personal experiences and resources related to freezer cooking, including recipes and tips for assembling meals efficiently.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares an idea about gathering friends and family to prepare meals together at home, aiming to save costs compared to commercial meal assembly services.
  • Another participant mentions a version of the power cooking show that focuses on chicken recipes, highlighting their health benefits and cost-effectiveness.
  • One user recommends the "30 Day Gourmet's Freezer Cooking Online Manual" as a valuable resource for recipes and tips on freezing meals.
  • Another participant expresses enthusiasm for the resources shared, noting their positive experiences with freezer cooking in a group setting.
  • Several participants discuss their local areas and share light-hearted comments about their communities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best methods and resources for freezer cooking, with no clear consensus emerging on specific recipes or techniques.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and resources related to freezer cooking, reflecting their individual approaches and preferences without implying any official guidance.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants interested in meal preparation strategies and those looking for community-shared resources on freezer cooking may find this discussion beneficial.

buckeyefan08
buckeyefan08
Messages
611
So my SIL had an idea...
When the girls in my cluster and I were talking about the power cooking shows someone mentioned a place where you can go "assemble" like 12 dinners in a matter of about two hours. The idea is they do all the prep work and clean up and you choose from a "menu" of things to make. Then you can customize your meal. (ex: we don't like mushrooms so I could leave those out but I could add extra cheese if I so choose.) The only problem is for me to make 12 meals it would cost like $200! SIL and I think we could probably do it cheaper at home. Invite all of our friends & family (we are all busy families with young kids, sports, PTO, jobs etc.) We could each prep certain things and when we all get together we would have all the ingredients needed and prepped to assemble and then freeze. On a busy night we could just pull it out of the freezer and reheat as directed.
Our problem is finding things aside from casseroles that will freeze and reheat well. Does anyone have any good ideas? I need help thinking outside the (ice) box!
Thanks!


Sorry it was a long post!
 
there is a version of the power cooking show that my Director has done...I will go search for it and be back to post if I can find it!


found it! all of the recipes are for chicken, which is healthier and usually less expensive!
 

Attachments

Chef Meg, the powercookingshow doc. is great, thanks for sharing it! Lisa, Just checked to see where Windham, Ohio was ....way up north east from me. I'm just south of Columbus in buckeyeland!
 
Check out Welcome to 30 Day Gourmet's Freezer Cooking Online Manual. . . They have really good recipes for freezing and all sorts of tips about it too. You can read the archived newsletters and there are a ton of recipes and tips in those also. I have done freezer cooking for a long time and it's really a great concept :thumbup:. Hope you enjoy the site.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Thanks Ruthie! This site is great! I'll read more tomarrow and get started planning! For now it's off to bed!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Thanks to you too Meg those recipes look great!
Robyn- I'm really surprised you found it on a map! It's a little hole in the wall. We have a four pump gas station, small grocery store and a Dollar General. Three stop lights but they have turned two into flashing lights! Pretty soon they will just take Windham off the map all together! LOL!
 
You're so welcome! I thought it would be perfect for you. I have the cooking manual and it is used a lot. About 10 ladies from our old church in Michigan wanted to do this and I ordered the manuals for all of us and we had loads of fun with it. Many of them still do this even after I moved to Indiana years ago. I use a lot of the tips in my Power Cooking shows from there.
 
chefruthie said:
Check out Welcome to 30 Day Gourmet's Freezer Cooking Online Manual. . . They have really good recipes for freezing and all sorts of tips about it too. You can read the archived newsletters and there are a ton of recipes and tips in those also. I have done freezer cooking for a long time and it's really a great concept :thumbup:. Hope you enjoy the site.
Click to expand...


Great site Ruthie! This is very similar to how I do my freezer meals too! What a great resource!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is "Power Cooking: Thinking Outside the (Ice) Box"?

"Power Cooking: Thinking Outside the (Ice) Box" is a cooking approach that encourages home cooks to prepare meals in bulk and utilize their freezer effectively. It emphasizes planning, prepping, and cooking in batches to save time and reduce food waste while providing delicious and convenient meal options for busy families.

How does Power Cooking benefit busy families?

Power Cooking benefits busy families by allowing them to prepare multiple meals in one cooking session. This method saves time during the week, reduces the stress of daily meal preparation, and ensures that healthy, homemade meals are readily available, making it easier to maintain a balanced diet despite a hectic schedule.

What tools or products from Pampered Chef are recommended for Power Cooking?

Some recommended tools from Pampered Chef for Power Cooking include the Rockcrok® line for versatile cooking, the Quick Slice for efficient vegetable prep, and the Freezer Meal Kit for organizing and storing meals. These tools help streamline the cooking process and enhance the overall experience of meal prep.

Can I use any recipes for Power Cooking?

Yes, you can use a variety of recipes for Power Cooking. However, it’s best to choose recipes that freeze well and can be easily reheated. Many Pampered Chef recipes are designed with this in mind, making them ideal for batch cooking and freezing.

How can I get started with Power Cooking?

To get started with Power Cooking, begin by planning your meals for the week or month. Choose recipes that suit your family’s tastes and gather the necessary ingredients and tools. Set aside a dedicated time for cooking, and prepare multiple meals in one session, labeling and storing them in the freezer for future use.

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