Never Eat a Cold Cookie: Big Batch Mixing for Warm Cookies Anytime

The roar of the school bus was followed by distinct screech of brakes and the squeak of the opening bus door. Someone was home from school! Soon the back door was flung open and then slammed shut. On the table sat plate of homemade cookies welcoming the hungry student. He saw them immediately and sauntered over and grabbed one. 

"Hey, these cookies are cold!" 

Guilty. I plead guilty to spoiling that young man. (Although he did grow up to become a rather nice guy.)

 But admit it. You prefer your homemade cookies warm as well.  

Make-Ahead Meatballs for Big Batch Cooking

Everyone has them. There are days that we simply don't have the time or inclination to prepare a home-cooked meal. 

The advantages to home-cooked meals are many. Usually they are healthier, less expensive and tastier. On the downside they take time and require clean-up. 

Over the years I've figured out a few ways to have a home-cooked meal without a big investment in time for each meal. (Sorry, I haven't figured out how to eliminate the clean-up.) One of the best ways is to make-ahead meals (or meal starters) by creating big batch recipes and freezing portions for later. In other words, the freezer is your friend.