Desprately seaking make-ahead meal recipes

[femalephish]

I'm trying to keep a rhythm to my day and find that my daughter and I have the time and mood for cooking in the morning. I would love some recipes that I can make in the morning and then pack some up for DH to bring to work (he works nights) and then have for DD and I for dinner. (either heated up or that can be eaten cold.) All I have so far is a quinoa recipe that I love to keep in the fridge and eat cold  or mix with warm sauteed veggies. Actually, all I really DO for cooking is saute. It's great- but you have to eat it right then.

I'm a little microwave-phobic, I'll use it, I just haven't used it much, so I'd love any tips on reheating in the micro since I'm clueless! Thanks,

-Courtney

[BetsyS]

I love chicken salad.  Like, a crazy, over the top, unnatural love.  LOL

Sometimes I roast chicken (my favorite).  I usually do a whole chicken or bone-in chicken breasts.  If I don't have time for that, I'll poach (put in pan with water at a simmer about halfway up until done) boneless skinless chicken breasts.  The key for either method is to not overcook the chicken, or it will be dry.

There are lots of variations.  The old classic--mayo, celery, and some seasoning salt.  I then riff from there.  I like to add madras curry powder (not the real Indian stuff--just the American stuff), craisins, sometimes nuts, and chopped pineapple or grapes.  Sometimes, I add cilantro, jalapeno, cumin, lime juice.  Serve that one with tortilla chips.  Lots of nuts are good in this, as is most fruit.  It's also good with basil and lemon or basil and tomatoes (but that's more of a summer thing). 

I pack leftovers for dh's lunch everyday.  His favorites are soupy, stewy things (they reheat well), anything wrapped in a tortilla, and salads.  For the salad, I'll do a base of lettuce, then add some protein (meat, beans, cheese), then a treat ingredient (artichoke hearts or mandarin oranges or whatever), then another veggie.  Add dressing.  This formula, if you will, makes it easy to pack a lunch when I'd rather not be thinking.  LOL.  And, you can make your supper/his lunch early in the day.  Then just toss at serving time. 

Some soupy/stewy things we like are lots of soups--Italian wedding, gumbo, potato, tomato, vegetable, split pea, lentil, chicken noodle, 15 bean.  One dish meals--INdian curries, Thai curries, Spanish rice (with ground beef added usually), chicken and rice, etouffee.  Today, I packed chicken pot pie.  When I made it last night, I baked off a separate piece of the pie crust, so I heated the filling in his thermos, then he ate the crust sort of like a cracker alongside.  He said it worked well for him.

[puffingirl]

Spanakopita (spinach pie) works really well as a make-ahead since you can eat it cold or just warm it up quickly in a toaster oven or microwave.

Chicken and wild rice salad is also a big hit here--chicken, cooked wild rice, celery, shredded carrots, a nice dressing and toasted almonds.  Keeps for up to 3 days and is best eaten cold.

For our chicken salad I make it with yogurt, curry powder, salted cashews, celery and grapes.

[allnaturalmom]

If you do dairy, a lasagna is a great make ahead meal. You can put all kinds of veggies and/or meat in there to make a complete meal. You can freeze it for another day (in large or single serving portions) or put it in the fridge for later. Limitless options. Reheat in the oven or even on the stovetop w/a little extra sauce. 

Oh I just remembered... I have also seen a great vegan lasagna, too, so even if you don't do dairy there are still some possibilities.

gl

hth