I always buy two pounds of ground beef at a time. I used to stick one pound in the freezer, and then never remember to thaw it until it was time to cook dinner. Browning a pound of frozen beef just isn’t fun. I hate getting it in the pan, scraping it off as it slowly cooks, and trying to chop it into pieces with my plastic spatula.

I have non-stick cookware, so I have to use a flimsy plastic spatula. Don’t tell me about teflon; I already worry I’m poisoning my family with it! We received all our teflon pots and pans for our wedding six years ago, and I don’t think Ed will let me switch to stainless steel yet. Especially with the way the economy is going. Plus, then I’d have to learn how to really cook. Non-stick cookware has saved dinner several times.

Last week, I changed my routine. I browned one pound first, drained it, and stuck it in the freezer, ready to go. Then, I browned the second pound and made…what did I make with it? Tacos, I think. No, it was sloppy joes. This is what happens when I blog at night to post for the next day. Less distractions from the children, but my brain doesn’t work right. Oh, who am I kidding, my brain never works right, which is why I may have future posts with the same title! This method of browning the beef before I put it in the freezer may seem obvious to you, but I had an “ah-ha moment.”

For dinner tonight, I made Tater Tot casserole. I didn’t have to brown the beef first! All I did was thaw it a little in the microwave, and put my casserole together. Not only was the casserole easier to assemble, but I had less dishes to clean up afterwards. Now, why didn’t I think of that sooner?