Another kitchen gadget that I wanted to talk about before I get into posting recipes is my vacuum sealer. This is probably one of my favorite and most used kitchen machines.

Cooking for two without having leftovers is nearly impossible since every recipe feeds at least four people. Being that it is only my husband and I, we quickly realized that having the same dinner three nights in a row in an attempt to be as economical with our groceries as possible was not very satisfactory.

About the same time is when I realized that by freezing the leftovers into two person servings we can enjoy them later on and still feel like we are eating a variety of meals.

Just as exciting is when we found out that when thawed and re-heated our leftovers, they tasted as if I had just cooked them! We have found this method of storing leftovers useful not only for those days when we need to whip up a quick dinner but also found them amazing for camping! Talk about an easy meal plan!

By following the method to vacuum seal meals below, you will find your freezer full of delicious meals and side dishes!

• Allow your food to completely cool before placing it in the vacuum sealed bags
• Portion each bag so that it has enough to store a meal for at least two people
• Place your bag in the vacuum sealer and let it work it’s magic!
• Don’t forget to label and date each meal to make for a quick reference
• Store in your freezer! (We usually eat ours within a month or two)

I also thought I would list some foods that I have successfully vacuum sealed that I have been asked if they are vacuum seal worthy:

• Mashed potatoes
• Roasted vegetables
• Spaghetti sauce
• Chili (gets even better with time)
• Cooked pasta in sauce
• Rice dishes
• Taco meat

Honestly, I have not come across a meal yet that has not froze well. That is why I love this method of storing food!

When you consider the money you save by being able to make your food last longer and doing less grocery shopping, the small investment in one of these machines is well worth it.