1.    Invite 4-6 friends to join (make sure you all get along because you will be spending 4 to 5 hours together each month).

2. Decide who will be the first host. The host is responsible for picking the recipes and doing all the shopping.

3. When choosing a recipe make sure you pick something that will freeze well and can be proportioned (things like soups, lasagnas, marinades and stuffed meats work well).

4. Choose your recipes and then multiply them by the number of people in your club.

5. Shopping. Join Costco or Sam’s Club. You can buy in bulk and will save a ton of money! Buy the large jars of minced garlic and spices. We bring them to every cooking club until they are gone… it will save you plenty in the long run.

6. When you get home make a list of things you need chopped, sliced and diced. You will probably need something like… 8 cups of onions and 15 cups of cheese… chopping and grating things at once saves you lots of time.

7. When everyone arrives assign tasks and get to work. It usually takes us anywhere from 4 to 5 hours depending on how many recipes we have that month.

8. Storage. You can use anything from glass bake ware to glad disposable freezer containers to gallon freezer bags… it depends on what you are making. In our club the host sends out a list of what type of storage will be needed and everyone is responsible for bringing their own. As soon as we finish preparing the meals we divide them up, label them with dates and cooking instructions, and then put them in coolers or bags that we have all brought for easy transportation. The meals go directly into the freezer when we get home and stay there until they are needed later that month.

9. Meals. We generally get around 8 meals to feed a family of 4-6 (but with leftovers it is more like 16 or more meals). Total outlay of cash for each participant for all the meals is approximately $65.00 to $75.00. A bargain!

10. Snacks. The person who is hosting the following month brings snacks for the group. We have done our cooking club on a weekend and during the week, both work great so it is something stay at home moms and working moms can both enjoy.

Delicious, fun and budget friendly!! If you need ideas for recipes check out our recipe sections!!

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