12/8/08

2 for 1 Cooking - During the Holidays!

Last week when I planned out my menu for our annual progressive dinner, I was thinking ahead.

I purchased all the ingredients for the 3 dishes that I would be serving - salmon, potatoes, and green beans, doubling the proportions in my mind.

As Hubs and I started preparing the main course for our progressive dinner the day of the party, we doubled up on all of the recipes, using my 2 for 1 cooking plan.

2 for 1 Plan
• Marinated twice as much salmon, storing in a Ziploc bag
• Cooked a huge pot of parsnips, rutabaga and potatoes (so big, I had to get my canning pot out!)
• Marinated a very large package of fresh green beans, also storing in a Ziploc bag

Then we decided which family we wanted to invite!

And they said, yes!


2 for 1 Table Setting
Using the exact table setting from the night before, I pulled out clean napkins and changed it up a bit.


by adding RED ...


and a special homemade gift ...


2 for 1 Cooking
Why not enjoy the same dinner for the 2nd night in a row? The food was prepped, so all we had to do was follow through with the cooking!


• Broil the salmon
• Roast the green beans
• Heat up the potatoes

Bake Costco’s frozen bread – 350 for 23 minutes


Fresh spinach salad


Hot Apple Ring
My daughter made an Apple Ring using our canned Apple Pie in a Jar, because we knew “apples” were one guest’s favorite! This time she sprinkled the top with cinnamon and sugar before baking.


And then she served it hot, with vanilla ice cream!


Back to my “2 for 1” cooking concept, the idea of cooking double portions and freezing has been around for a long time. Women love to “cut corners” and save on time. I find it extremely helpful as a working mom because time is so precious to me and I have to be organized!

Have you thought about doubling your cooking to cover 2 events in a row, especially during the holiday season?

(Did you know that broiling salmon is a great way to cook it in the wintertime? Any kind of marinade works!)

30 comments:

Christy said...

When can I come for dinner?

Are you going to share your marinade recipe by any chance?

Shell in your Pocket said...

Wow..what a great idea!! You are so great..I was away for the weekend and told some of my girlfriends about your blog..you are easy, festive and make it look like a "snap"!
Love it!
-sandy toes

Unknown said...

I love Salmon. So when are you having it again? Can I come over?

LyB said...

Everything looks delicious! I wouldn't mind eating any of that two nights in a row. :)

Simple Daisy said...

Oohh...it all looks fabulous!! I just love entertaining especially during the holidays!!

~j~ said...

i need to remind myself to do that more often, it makes life so much easier, thank heaven for zip lock bags for just that reason!
love the look of that salad..yummy.
xo
j

Wendy said...

So delicious to the eye AND the tummy. Thanks for sharing these great entertaining ideas with me! I loved your previous post -- what a great son you have.

Blessings of the season...

Jules from "The Roost" said...

I wish I lived next door to you! wonderful idea!

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

What a great idea, especially for this time of year!

Betts said...

I doubled almost everything I cooked in my last month of pregnancy. That way, I'd have lots of food in the freezer when I didn't feel like cooking after baby came.

Miss G said...

yea for wearing aprons! I have a whole collection. Some that I got for only $4 a piece in Massachusetts several summers ago. A big ole box to dig through! Now that was fun. Thank you for your comment on my blog.

I really like this idea about 2 for 1 cooking and will have to remember to try it. Thanks! Kelly

The Tin House said...

Oh Sandy, when I'm feeling blue, I just need to visit you and I feel the joy in your heart.

Lisa x

Kirstin said...

Great idea.. I will often do that when I make meals for other people. And sometimes events, though not as often.

Live.Love.Eat said...

Awesome idea! I don't do it much because there is always something new I want to try. But lately I am doubling upquite often to give away.

Grace said...

Yummy! What a great idea~ I love how you just tweaked the centerpiece & place settings from the night before! :)

There's a Kreative Blog award waiting for you at my blog! :D Thank you for all your wise & thoughtful posts!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Our Whistlestop marinade is the best on salmon!
Great job... I need to be a better planner.

Linda Lou said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog, my mouth is watering just looking at all that wonderfully appetizing food, you are so creative!! I will continue to read and learn from your blog!!

Sheila said...

That looks so yummy!

I always cook twice as much, too, and then freeze so that I have leftovers. It works even with company!

But I must tell you, I just can't stand parsnips and rutabagas. And I have tried, believe me I have tried.

It's very depressing.

Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!

Elizabeth said...

I love the idea of 2 for 1. I will try that this month.

Stop by if you like to read uplifting Christmas stories. I'm sharing these throughout the season.

God bless,
Elizabeth

Lisa said...

I am a new fan of your blog from Christine and I LOVE all of your hints and recipies. My pampered chef round stone is so not seasoned to perfection yet so I guess I must get cooking! You make entertaining look so effortless. I am trying not to loose my joy this holiday season...thanks for the reminder.

A new fan...

Lisa

Robin said...

Wish I could have been one of the lucky guests!! Looks delicious and such a good idea!!


Blessings,
Robin

Salmon is one of our favorite dishes.

Ms. Tee said...

We did this a long time ago and it was so much fun. I'd love to do it again~ Everything looks great! :)

Christine said...

Everything looks wonderful...thank you so much for sharing with us...big hugs and you are awesome!

~nanashouse~ said...

You have taught me so much! I love the idea of using the same table decorations but just changing out the colors. Pure genious!!

shelbi said...

yes, it all looks divine!! and the marinade is a secret recipe??? hint hint :)

Anonymous said...

I just did it with pizza dough for when we go out and our children stay home.

I also am tripling my bar recipe when I make them for my daughter to take to a party tonight, for me to take to a women's event tomorrow and to have for family holiday eating later.

Donnetta said...

I have done this in the past but thanks for the reminder as I finish out this season!

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

I have never done this type of doubling specifically - what a great idea! I usually do the doubling where you put one in the freezer.

I must say - this is fantastic and I never would have thought of it :)

I LOVE salmon! Daniel doesn't though :(

-Andrea

Jen said...

That apple ring looks wonderful. I may put this on my menu this week...

Anonymous said...

will you share how how you got the words on that "coaster" tile? Did you stamp with Stazon ink, use rubons, or just what did you do? I'd love to make some (economical) gifts for valentines. Those coasters would be perfect with "valentines/love" sayings.
Thanks so much. I've just found your blog and am working my way back thru old posts. Love it!! :o)