Help Wanted: Ricotta Bake, Freezing, and Make Ahead Lunches

I wonder if your ricotta was full fat, or one of the low fat versions. I think it would make the difference.

I used the full fat version. They also have a nonfat version that would never appeal to me. Sometimes TJ's products are a little different from mainstream ones...I may try a regular grocery store ricotta instead.

So many great ideas in here. I used loooove bento boxes pre surgery, so I'm definitely on board.

One of the lunches I really like to take is turkey meatballs with a little homemade spaghetti sauce. Yummers!

I also make small sliced steaks and put them in containers to grab and take for lunch.

Every Sunday I cook a bunch and prepare lunches and usually a dinner or two for the week. Since a have an hour and a half commute (thats just one way), it helps me out a lot during the week.

Ceci

How do you make your turkey meatballs? I wonder if I could manage it.

I either do 1 or 2 pounds of turkey meatballs at once. I mince onions and add to the turkey meat then add 1 egg, basil, oregano, garlic and season salt. I make small meat balls (about an inch across) you can bake them or fry them in olive oil - totally your choice. I don't add bread crumbs to the meatballs because I don't need those empty calories.

For the spaghetti sauce, I take tomatoes and take out the core (the top and middle part) and then I make a cross on the bottom of the tomatoes through the skin. You take the tomatoes and dip them in boiling water for about 10 seconds then dump them in ice cold water. The skin peels right off then. Make sure you get rid of all seeds inside as they can be bitter. Then cut up the tomatoes in small pieces and cook with onions, garlic, basil, thyme and whatever spices you like. I usually cook the sauce down for about two - three hours. I know there are several good videos on you tube about making good spaghetti sauce. I also usually add the meatballs to the sauce for the last hour or so because it really makes both taste amazing!

And seriously look at some of the videos on youtube for some great how to recipes, there is some good and even great ideas there.

Please let me know if you have any other questions, I love to cook :)

Ceci

WWWHHHHAAA! 

Peeling fresh tomatoes and ending up with sauce.  HECK YEAH!

This is going to be an adventure. I tell ya...now that I make yogurt I think I am Queen of the Kitchen!  I'm going to try this. 

Thank you!

Or... If you are like me you can use crashed tomatoes from a jar. ...

I make an egg casserole bake that makes 8 servings and it freezes well.

I also make large batches and freeze chili, and other casseroles.

This does help me plan out ahead and grab and pack in my lunch boxes the night before.

Do you have a recipe you would share for your egg casserole?  Thanks!