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Sunday is Cook-Ahead Time

By
Home Stager with Transition Stage LLC

As I get used to my new schedule, I'm starting to put some new habits in place. One of the most enjoyable is "cook-ahead" time on Sunday. I try to make at least one good meal that will generate some leftovers during the week. Knowing that Herb will pitch in and make dinner on weeknights takes some of the stress off me. I enjoy cooking, but sometimes our weekends are just a bit too full to get much done in the kitchen.

However, yesterday, I was a cooking fool! I made a roast chicken for our Sunday night dinner, with a plan for the leftovers to make another dinner during the week. At the same time, I started a beef stew in the slow cooker. And, finally, I dedicated one burner on the stove to a recipe I came across in a magazine for a cannelini bean and kale soup.

The chicken is an easy and tasty Sunday dinner. I cut up parsnips (lovely and sweet-tasting), carrots, onions and garlic. With a dash of butter in the bottom of a cast-iron casserole, I put in a layer of vegetables, and added the rest to the inside of the chicken. I put the chicken in the pot, and put salt and paprika on top, then put the cover on and stuck the pot in the oven at 400 degrees for about 2 hours.

The vegetables were tender and flavored with the gorgeous taste of the chicken, the chicken was juicy and delicious, and once I added some roasted cauliflower I had cooked the night before, we settled in for a wonderful Sunday night dinner.

I wish everyone a great start to your week!

Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Judy, it sounds like you are transitioning well ;). Hope you manage to keep staging too. Love to read your posts.

Oct 17, 2011 03:57 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Sally - Oh my! It took me a minute to remember that Canadian Thanksgiving is a very different date from the American one. I had a vision of some very old turkey!!  LOL

Oct 17, 2011 04:41 AM
Judi Boad
ACCURATE REALTY GROUP - Seattle, WA

Hi Judy~ I'll be back tomorrow for the Kale soup recipe! It's that time of year where a hearty bowl of soup hits the spot for dinner, and the bonus is, it's even better the next night!

I tend to have a strategy of Sunday dinner becoming other meals throughout the week as well! Just got a new crock pot to prepare fall and winter meals in, it even came with a mini version to keep gravy and sauces warm!

I was happy to see you had a post up today! I've been missing you in the rain.

Best regards from Seattle,

Oct 17, 2011 05:35 AM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

Judy, Sometimes, Chief Cook will roast a chicken and a pot roast at the same time....boy, does that smell good.  And, then we have a variety for the week.

Oct 17, 2011 06:23 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Judy -- it sounds as if you are uber-organized(no surprise) and adapting well to your new schedule.   Very smart planning.   

Oct 17, 2011 08:16 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Judy, how is your new job going? I'm doing some design freelance but haven't found anything more constant that I would like. And you bring back memories.... as I worked for many years in NYC and had to come home to kids and homework, cooking on Sunday was the only way to go.

Oct 17, 2011 11:11 AM
Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

So good to see you on AR.  I love crock pots, so nice to start dinner in the am and come home to it.  You made me sooo hungry, I was thinking about passing on dinner too late, too tired.

Oct 17, 2011 11:38 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Janice - Thank you! I'm getting used to the strange working hours, and am feeling less tired as time goes by. I hope to be posting more regularly again. I'm still doing a few small staging/organizing projects as I can fit them in.

Oct 18, 2011 12:10 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Judi - Great to see you, too! I'll be posting the soup recipe today. It's funny - I think I just bought that same crock pot, because mine came with a little "mini-me" version as well. I agree that soup is perfect for this time of year. I love the warm heartiness of it when it's cold outside.

Oct 18, 2011 12:13 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Ron - It's just wonderful to have such delicious food cooking all at the same time, isn't it? Nothing like having the whole house filled with delightful scents of cooking.

Oct 18, 2011 12:14 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Michael - Thank you - nice compliment! I do tend to be several steps ahead of "now" time pretty frequently. I have to make very conscious efforts to let go of the "doing" and just relax now and then. Whenever I remember to do that, it feels pretty great!

Oct 18, 2011 12:16 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Ellen - It's going nicely - thank you for asking! The people, both on staff as well as the patients coming in, are all really nice, which makes it pretty fun to come to work. Oh yeah - cooking ahead happens for a whole variety of reasons, doesn' t it? I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that you find steady and creative work.

Oct 18, 2011 12:18 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Liz - Thank you - and thank you for visiting. Crock pots are a wonderful invention. That and our George Foreman grill keep our kitchen cooking!

Oct 18, 2011 12:19 AM
Gail C. Harris
Resource Network, LLC SFR, AHWD, ACRE, SMAR Board Director - Chesapeake Beach, MD
Reach the BEACH with Gail C. Harris (cell: 703.868

You have a new job?  I've been hit and miss lately, been busy with other things.  I haven't seen you much  lately here, though maybe that's why.  Glad you like the new job.  I love the recipe. :) Thanks.

Oct 18, 2011 12:41 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Gail - Yep, I took a job managing a dentist's office, and it's four 12-hour days (Mon-Thurs), so getting prepped on Sunday becomes essential. It's so nice to see you here, and I'm glad you like the recipe! I just posted the soup recipe a few minutes ago. Enjoy!

Oct 18, 2011 12:44 AM
Laura Sargent
Carolina One Real Estate - Mount Pleasant, SC

I keep thinking someday I will be this organized when it comes to food... but that day has not arrived.  I guess your house smelled a bit like Heaven on Sunday!

Oct 18, 2011 04:28 AM
Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Judy, too bad I can't post recipes anymore.  But, your cooking spree sounds as if it was very successful.

Oct 18, 2011 06:15 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Laura - It does take a bit of prep work, but since I like to cook, it doesn't feel like a big deal most weeks. And I'm very lucky because my husband Herb will pick up the slack when the weekend's been too busy for me to cook ahead. You're right; the kitchen smelled divine on Sunday evening!

Oct 18, 2011 11:23 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Suzanne - Well, that's intriguing... Why can't you post recipes anymore?

Oct 18, 2011 11:24 PM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi valerie - It's one of my favorite ways to cook chicken. It comes out so moist, tender, and very, very tasty!

Oct 18, 2011 11:25 PM