Freeze! It's easy meal prep time.

Lately, I've been trying to be better about utilizing my freezer as a tool for planning ahead. Some nights when I get home from work the last thing I feel like doing is chopping onions or browning hamburger. I also hate spending twice as much money on fruits and vegetables during the winter months. Here are some of my tips for making meal prep easy, all year round!

Onions: Strap on a pair of goggles and get it over with!
For many people, one of the least exciting ways to spend time in the kitchen is chopping onions. I like to chop several sandwich-size freezer bags full at once to get it over with. You can measure the contents by cups or whole onions, whatever you prefer. I have somehow been blessed with tear ducts that are not overly affected by onions, but that is not the case for many people. My advice: wait until no one else is home (or until the kids are napping) and strap on a pair of swim goggles. You may look goofy, but it will make the process less painful. I've also heard that popping a whole onion in the freezer for about 10 minutes prior to chopping or running hot water while chopping decreases the nasty effects.

Ground beef: Bulk up your meal planning power with bulk cooking!
I got this idea from Mission:Organization. Our freezer is stocked full of beef throughout the year as my dad is a beef farmer, but it had never occurred to me to store some of it cooked. When I have the time, I cook two or three times as much beef as needed for a meal and pack the extra into freezer bags. The two best tools for the job: The Pampered Chef Micro Cooker and Mix'N'Chop. Let the microwave do all the work.

Sweet corn: A sweet surprise any month of the year!
This summer I froze sweet corn so we can enjoy during the coming winter months what is usually a summer treat. It's a simple process, and if you have a helper you can pack up several dozen ears in no time! First, remove the husks and silk. Place the ears into boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then remove with tongs directly into cold water to stop the cooking process. Place the ears on a clean towel to dry, then remove the kernels with a sharp knife. Some people have sterilized a nail and driven it through a wooden cutting board to pierce the cob and hold it in place while cutting. I simply cut the bottom of the cob to create a flat surface. Place the kernels in freezer bags and lay flat in freezer. Stay tuned for a truly amazing Paula Deen recipe for homemade creamed corn.

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Apple & Potato Peeler

Apples: Even frozen ones can keep the winter blues away!
Ok, so my favorite ways to eat apples (crisps, bars, pies, etc.) probably won't keep the doctor very far away, but they sure are yummy! Like sweet corn, freezing apples is a simple process. An especially helpful tool is an apple corer/peeler/slicer. These nifty little devices are available at cooking and hardware stores, and online at places like Amazon.com. I haven't tried it yet, but the device can also be used to peel and slice potatoes. As you core, peel and thinly slice the apples, place them immediately into cool water mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Then strain the apples out of the cool water and place in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Remove the apple slices and place them directly into a freezer bag with a quarter cup of sugar. Then seal the bag and turn the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved and lay it flat in freezer.

Simple steps like these can be a saving grace on a weeknight when you don't have much time or energy to make supper. Who knows, you may even have time to indulge in a glass of wine!