In the past I’ve struggled with getting my meat defrosted before I need to use it. These past couple weeks I’ve finally discovered a strategy that works for me. As my meal plan is posted on Sunday, I pull out all the meats I need for it and put them in the fridge. My freezer freezes them really solid so they’re safe in the fridge all week and nothing is defrosted for at least a day or two.
My meal plans are flexible in terms of what I cook on what days.
Towards the beginning of the week I opt for the meals that use any fresh produce or dairy that needs used up right away. I also tend to the use the meats that are least critical to be fully defrosted first (like ground beef) or I opt for a non-meat meal.
Towards the middle of the week I’ll cook the chicken since it will be fully defrosted at that point and has the shortest lifespan in the fridge (beef has a higher level of acidity than poultry which makes it less likely to grow bacteria)
Towards the end of the week I’ll typically cook the beef item (if it’s not a ground beef item) since I find it most critical for it to be fully defrosted and it lasts the longest at refrigerater temperature. Otherwise I’ll cook whatever is left on the menu at that point.
- Cashew Chicken and Sesame Carrot Salad from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast, rice
- Steak with Parsley Sauce from Everyday Food: Great Food Fast, polenta, salad
- Eggs Benedict from The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, strawberries
- Baking: Dark Chocolate Cookies with Sour Cherries from Martha Stewart’s Cookies
Shared in Kitchen Tip Tuesdays, Menu Plan Monday, Tasty Tuesday.
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{ 8 comments }
Sounds like a good strategy, and your menu sounds super yummy!
Beeb’s last blog post: Free Chocolate Friday!
Looks like a great plan! Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
Liz@HoosierHomemade’s last blog post: Meals ~ May 25 – 31
What a great idea! I will have to start pulling my meats out!
Jennifer’s last blog post: Menu Plan Monday 5/25/09
That’s a great plan, and we do something similar. We pull our frozen meats out and usually buy one or two things fresh each week that get the first few spots on the menu. We also try to make things at the beginning of the week where the leftover rolls or extra grilled chicken breasts get used in another meal later in the week so that we’re using all of what we purchase and not letting it go to waste.
The meals sound wonderful, too!
Shaina’s last blog post: The Juicy Lucy – A Memorial Day Gift
Sounds like a great plan. I often forget to thaw out meat. I’ll have to consider pulling it all out at once… or maybe twice.
Amy Ellen from HealthBeginsWithMom.com
Amy Ellen’s last blog post: Top Five Household Toxins
Huh, that actually makes a lot of sense. I plan my meals monthly but tend to forget to defrost early enough. I may have to try this strategy and see how it works.
And wow, do those cookies sound good!
It’s my first time joining in WFMW, stop by if you get a chance and say hello!
Lori- Not So Superwoman’s last blog post: Works For Me Wednesday- I’m Thirsty!
I really like this idea. I try to get the meat out for my meals in the morning, but that doesn’t always happen. I’m going to give this a shot and see if it works for me too -)
mub’s last blog post: Blackie the Sewing Machine
I know you love cooking and I thought you might like to share one of your successes with Momtrends reader. Here is my link for Friday Feasts:
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/05/friday-feasts_29.html
I hope you’ll stop by with a recipe, cooking tip or menu suggestion. Have a great weekend.
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