STEP ONE: Choose 20 recipes. This will last a family of 4 about 4 weeks, (allowing for leftovers, eat-out nights, scratch cooking nights, baked potato nights, etc.) Try to have a balance of casseroles, soups, stews, pasta, meats, ethnic foods and so on.
STEP TWO: Make up a master grocery list, using a cookbook program like "MasterCook" or a simple spreadsheet. Make sure you list EVERY SINGLE ITEM you will need. Include products like aluminum foil, freezer bags and scouring pads. Don't forget simple things like flour, salt and sugar. (You don't want to run out of something on cooking day!) Once you have your list, check off the items you will need to purchase. My list changes each time because I vary my recipes, depending on what is most economical. I have to update my list each time, but it's not a big deal with a computer.
STEP THREE: Start a notebook of "your" recipes.Either copy the recipe or rewrite it on a 8x11 sheet (one recipe per page). On cooking day, you will be taping these up around your kitchen, so you don't want to have to hassle with cookbooks or recipe cards. Organize them to your liking in a 3-ring notebook. After a few months, you'll have a nice notebook full of recipes that WORK!!!
STEP FOUR: Read through each recipe and break it down into simple steps. On a sheet, list the recipe names in columns. Write the steps underneath. Do it in an order that makes sense to you. Then take similar steps from ALL the recipes and do them together.
- Example: To make spaghetti sauce and lasagna
chop onion (x cups or x pounds of onions)
grate cheese (x cups or ounces)
chop peppers
chop veggies
mince garlic
combine cheeses
brown meat and drain
make layers
add tomatoes
wrap pan and freeze
simmer
bag and freeze
STEP FIVE:
Label your items! Put a "sharpie" indelible marker on your shopping list if you don't have one. Ink pen is not legible and regular markers run. Include any preparation instructions on a piece of paper slipped inside the double bag. Be sure to write down the number of servings! (You will not remember!)
STEP SIX: On cooking day, start as early as you can and dress to WORK. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes. (I wear my hiking boots!) Have a change of aprons ready and lots of clean towels. Clear off your countertops and clutter so that you have maximum workspace. Tape up the recipes where you can see them in plastic page protectors. You will be amazed at how quickly things go together if you've done steps ahead of time (the chopping, browning, etc.)
STEP SEVEN: Evaluate how your OAMC session went.Make notes on your recipes if you want to make any changes the next time. Clean up your kitchen so that you don't have to face that mess tomorrow!
STEP EIGHT: Don't cook dinner on your big day! Order in a pizza, go to a friend's house or eat out at your favorite fast food place. If you are short on funds, save your crockpot for your evening meal so that you don't have to fix another dish. You will be TIRED!!!!
Good luck!!! Questions and comments welcome!
For more information, please see:
