The Barbarock Blog

When Barbara was a young mother, she often had to work many hours a day, so a day off at the holidays with her family was a rare treat.   She learned early on to prepare as much of the holiday meal ahead as possible so she could enjoy the day without spending it all in the kitchen.  If you’ll be cooking over the holidays,  take a page from Barbara’s book and prepare as much of the food in advace as possible.

Here are a few of Barbara’s ideas for foods to prepare ahead:  (1) chop up celery, bell pepper, and onions and freeze them in bags a week ahead of time, (2) hard boil eggs several days in advance and keep them in the refrigerator until they’re needed, (3) make and refrigerate sweet potato pie filling a few days ahead of time and then put it in the crust and bake it when you’re ready, (4) get greens and beans ready to cook–wash them and put them in plastic bags so they’ll be ready to cook immediately.

By doing more ahead, you’ll have more time at your holiday celebration to put up your feet and enjoy the day with your family and friends.