Dumb Question - Meal Prep' Related

[mbosnz]

I'm adjusting to being back at work full-time after having been at home for the last three years!

I was wondering if any of you wise women out there could tell me your answers to two questions:

1. Could I make up the marinade for a casserole to pour over the meat tomorrow, so it marinades for the day, but all I have to do is dump it over the chops in the morning? (Contains cornflour).

1. Could I prep the veges tonight, and keep them in water in the fridge for tomorrow night?

Thanks in advance, and I know these are really dumb questions, and quite understand if anyone's eyeballs are revolving at a very fast pace!

Which vegetables are you doing? You probably don’t need to put them in water.
I’d just make the marinade and put it straight on.

Yes you can make up the marinade a day in advance.

Unless the veg will discolour in contact with air, eg. potatoes, they can be peeled and cut in advance then refrigerated in a plastic bag or box to use the next day.
When it comes to cookery, no question is stupid ...

Good luck with your dinner

1. YES
2. Depends on the vegetables, potatoes I'd say no, same as things like courgette with a high water contents. Things like carrot broccoli or green beans can be prepped and stored in fridge (without the water!)

Or just move on to frozen vegetables, just as healthy, no faf with prep just a bit more mushy.

Thank you!

Veg in a bag or box - you could put a wet piece of kitchen roll in to keep it moist.

Potatoes would be okay in a pan of water with a bit of salt.

Yes and yes. Add some lemon juice to the water to stop the veggies turning brown.

Anything potato based actually cook it the night before (chop and boil potatoes for mash, roasties etc) potato keeps much better cooked.

I quite often the meal for the night after while I'm cooking / reheating what we are having the night, and make enough to freeze another portion.

Look up 'The Batch Lady' on Facebook, loads of good ideas for having loads of stuff made ready to go for weekday family meal.

When you're next in a supermarket, take a look at the ready prepped veg shelves to get a good idea of what will keep for a few days in the fridge. Good for you if you are cooking from scratch !

Also second Ylvamoon 's suggestion of frozen veg unless you are short of freezer space.