Dream Dinners type places?

[LoveBWVVBR]

Does anyone here go to a Dream Dinners type place to make meals for the freezer? I am considering doing this right before I have DD#2 in Sept. so we have plenty of frozen dinners put aside. We have a locally-owned place like Dream Dinners and also a franchised place I think. It's $207 for 12 meals that feed 5-6. We're a family of 3, so I'm thinking that they can be split into 24 meals Anyways, are these places worthwhile for a situation like when you're about to have a new baby? Also, is the food good? One other thing...it looks like they schedule preparation times, and it sounds very social. Am I going to feel like a dork if I go by myself? I don't think that any of my friends would want to try out a place like this. As it is, I'm the only one who cooks at home every night

Also, about how much freezer space do I need to free up to hold the 12 meal package I mentioned above?

 

[Brenda in CA]

I've been quite a few times a little over a year ago. I love going as the mess is all there and they clean up after you. However, it is pricey and I just couldn't justify the cost (dh wasn't very happy either).

I would suggest getting the cookbook called Don't Panic - Diinner's in the Freezer or doing a search on the internet for "once a month cooking". I've found a lot on the internet that I can do. What I like to do is find a recipe then make 2 batches of it - one for dinner that night and one for the freezer. Do that for a week and you have an extra week's worth of meals in the freezer. Much more cost effective!

 

[Todd&Copper]

I mentioned a place like that on a message board (not sure if it was here ont he DIS or somewhere else) and a good number of the responses were that the food just wasn't very good and it wasn't something people seems anxious to do all of the time. Can't speak from personal experience, though.

 

[My5Mouseketeers]

I have done this many times. I like it.

It is cheaper than ordering out, but more expensive than cooking at home. I don't know the shop that you will be going to, but we have a "Simply Dish" here that I go to 2-3 times a year. They have a lot of steak, shrimp, pork tenderloin recipes that are really good. I normally cook a lot of chicken and turkey sausage recipes. So it is a nice change for us.

The only draw back for me is that most of the recipes have to thaw for a day in frig. they don't microwave well, so that means it takes a little pre-planning. I normally do 1 or 2 "freezer meals" a week and fill in the other days with my normal recipes (plus left over buffet night!)

It is a nice compromise for our family.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

I've been quite a few times a little over a year ago. I love going as the mess is all there and they clean up after you. However, it is pricey and I just couldn't justify the cost (dh wasn't very happy either).

I would suggest getting the cookbook called Don't Panic - Diinner's in the Freezer or doing a search on the internet for "once a month cooking". I've found a lot on the internet that I can do. What I like to do is find a recipe then make 2 batches of it - one for dinner that night and one for the freezer. Do that for a week and you have an extra week's worth of meals in the freezer. Much more cost effective!

Thanks! I just ordered that book and also "Super Suppers" from half.com . I'll give them both a try to see if I can do this myself more economically.

Did you need to buy a lot of storage containers for your freezer meals or can they be stored in freezer baggies and foil?

 

[Pigeon]

I do lots of freezer cooking myself. I did one of the Dream Dinners trials and was underwhelmed. The food was OK, but I could do it much, much cheaper myself, with better quality food by working with sales.

 

[cntrygal]

once at dream dinners and once at another place., called dinner me quickly The food wasnt bad, not up to my own coking skill, but it fit the need at the time. i did this around the time that my mother died, i did this so i would not have to spent the time cooking and could be with her. it worked out perfect for us, i dont think i would use this on a regular basis, but it kept me my kids, my stepfather and who ever else was there, fed. Plus it gave me a couple of hours escape, away from drs, cemo, and the sadness

 

[java]

I go to one around here. A small one store type one- not a chain. I LOVE it. She gets the best meats and produce from restaurant suppliers. The meat in her meals is better than what I can get at my local store- so I don't mind paying a bit more _ ours run about $24 a meal that would feed about 6 .

I do go with a group. It has turned into a fun night out- we bring some wine and chat the 2 hours away as we make our meals. But we book private nights now- In the past we would go to the open sessions and it was fine- just less loud. (we didn't blab as much) so I don't think you'll feel out of place if you go alone.
And I bet if you mention it you could find a handful to go with. Ours started with 4 now we are up to 12 that go!! Sometimes more if somebody brings their mother along. I use it for those emergency nights when I would have caved and ordered takeout. My family likes the meals though. The menu is very family friendly and healthy. Not all places are like that.

Our place will also let you buy already assembled meals for a $25 surcharge- so if you wanted to just pick up some ready made it will just cost more.

I begrudgingly went and I am so glad I did.
I'll private message you the link to the website so you can see what ours offers.

 

[loveabargin]

Thanks! I just ordered that book and also "Super Suppers" from half.com . I'll give them both a try to see if I can do this myself more economically.

Did you need to buy a lot of storage containers for your freezer meals or can they be stored in freezer baggies and foil?

I organized a "Girlfriend Dinner Swap" where we all made freezer meals for each other. We all made a list of 3 meals we made well and listed the major ingredients. Then, each person emailed me and let me know which ones they wanted of the other ladies ...this way no hard feelings with anyone...I matched them all up and let everyone know how many of each they had to make. They all brought them to my house the same day and I exchanged them for them. It was fairly simple really. We had 5 ladies, it was very manageable for a first run.

 

[clh2]

There is also another cookbook: Fix,Freeze, Feast

This is their 2nd book. I do have to say, I like their first book bette, The Warehouse Gourmet,, not many of the recipes changed. The 2nd book just doesn't have pictures, and I need pictures!!!

The 2nd book is available through bookstores like Barnes and Noble, and I think it is less than $15. Great recipes, just no pictures.

I have found that freezer bags work best for most of these types of entrees. They take up the least amount of space vs. something like gladware. Although, there are some recipes that are layered, which just get assembled in 9x13 pans, I use aluminum pans for these.

 

[Karlzmom]

Does anyone here go to a Dream Dinners type place to make meals for the freezer? I am considering doing this right before I have DD#2 in Sept. so we have plenty of frozen dinners put aside. We have a locally-owned place like Dream Dinners and also a franchised place I think. It's $207 for 12 meals that feed 5-6. We're a family of 3, so I'm thinking that they can be split into 24 meals Anyways, are these places worthwhile for a situation like when you're about to have a new baby? Also, is the food good? One other thing...it looks like they schedule preparation times, and it sounds very social. Am I going to feel like a dork if I go by myself? I don't think that any of my friends would want to try out a place like this. As it is, I'm the only one who cooks at home every night

Also, about how much freezer space do I need to free up to hold the 12 meal package I mentioned above?

I have a standing monthly appointment at Dinner My Way, our local store...I don't know how I managed before it and have no idea what I would do without it! For my family, I find that I SAVE money, as there is no waste whatsoever, no gas spent going here and there and no "little extras" finding their way into the basket. The other bonus, is that its automatic portion control....so the weight loss bonus has also been great. I feel better about actually having real food on the table for dinner and the longest its taken me is 30 mins from the time I come in the door.

As for space, most dinners come in stackable foil pans or zippy bags, so I find that I really don't use that much space, no more than all the frozen junk that used to be in my freezer....

 

[Karlzmom]

I have done this many times. I like it.

It is cheaper than ordering out, but more expensive than cooking at home. I don't know the shop that you will be going to, but we have a "Simply Dish" here that I go to 2-3 times a year. They have a lot of steak, shrimp, pork tenderloin recipes that are really good. I normally cook a lot of chicken and turkey sausage recipes. So it is a nice change for us.

The only draw back for me is that most of the recipes have to thaw for a day in frig. they don't microwave well, so that means it takes a little pre-planning. I normally do 1 or 2 "freezer meals" a week and fill in the other days with my normal recipes (plus left over buffet night!)

It is a nice compromise for our family.

to get around the thaw problem, I pull the next night's dinner during the dishes! I never forget, and its all set to go when I get in....[of course I will cop to missing my pull on the nights DH does dishes and I'm brain dead, but i have found that a number of the dinners can be done from frozen]

 

[mudman]

I have tried 3 different chains of these make your own dinner places. I love the concept, but all the food lacked quality and flavor.

It's just not worth it in my opinion.

 

[kirstie101]

I have used Dinner My Way and My Girlfriends Kitchen. I liked Dinner My Way just fine and used them until they stopped sending out coupons in the mail. Just recently My Girlfriends Kitchen opened up. I use My Girlfriends Kitchen whenever they have a coupon for 2 free meals when you buy 6. This makes it $17 a meal and they do have a good 6 servings in them so 2.83 a serving. They food tastes better in my opinion than Dinner My Way. So I'd say I go about 3- 4 times a year total. Its nice to have something different in the freezer ready to go that I don't have to put a lot of thought into. They clean up your mess, and I don't waste money running into the grocery store to pick up one item here and there.

 

[Tandyc]

I did an online search of our library. They mailed me 5-7 books that delt with make ahead meals. Many of the books were very informative about what type of freezer space you will need, what type of storage containers are best, and how to plan for your cooking event. A day is spent deciding which recipes and how many of each, then how much food to purchase and where to get the best deal on bulk food. One book even had a spread sheet on expanding recipes. Then a day is set aside for shopping and getting it all into fridges and freezers to be ready for your cooking day. Some of the books suggested alot of prep work be done before your cooking day, (chopping, browning meat, ect.) Then there was a lot of advice on how to pump out tons of food in one all day cooking day.

I read and researched and did a smaller version of a-month-of meals-in-a-day and it was great! I did many marinaded meats for summer bbqs and some of our staple foods we eat often. (Spagetti sauce, taco meat, roast chicken meat cooked and off the bone) It was a long day, but very productive and our Summer has been much more relaxed to have a freezer full of dinners just waiting.

I will do it again before school starts, for our very busy football season. With two boys playing school ball and traveling, dinners are always a challenge.

Good luck and take it slow it is a huge undertaking, but well worth it!

Tandyc

 

[Cindy B]

The Dream Dinners around here closed up and it was only in business for less than a year.

 

[purplegirl247]

We have Let's Eat here and my friends and I really enjoy it. I enjoy doing it every other month or so because not only do I have a "pop (in the oven) and go" meal, but I find myself making things that I wouldn't ordinarily make: spinach pesto meatloaf, zesty turkey burgers with sweet potato fries, stuff like that. Makes for a nice change.

 

[MrsPete]

It is cheaper than ordering out, but more expensive than cooking at home.QUOTE]This is a good assessment. It's not as cheap as plain old cooking at home, BUT convenience is worth something too -- and with Dream Dinners you don't have to plan the meal and ingredients, nor do you end up with a couple half-used items leftover. From a financial standpoint, it's not a fantastic bargain, but neither is it an over-the-top extravagance.

We find that in most cases the 3-person meal size is fine for the four of us -- assuming, of course, that we add vegetables and bread. I have two girls ages 11 and 14 who are moderate eaters.

I would suggest getting the cookbook called Don't Panic - Diinner's in the Freezer

I have a couple frozen-dinner type cookbooks, and this one's my favorite! I never put together bunches of different meals at once; rather, I do "batch cooking". If I'm going to cook pork chops /stuffing, I make 3-4 of the same recipe and freeze the extras. However, I never get a freezer full of a variety of meals unless I go to one of these places.

 

[DebMcDonald]

We have two places locally. www.easy-dinners.com and also www.makeandtakekitchen.com. They both recently went up on their prices and are now $150 for six large meals. The meals are plenty big enough for my family of 5. Two of my kids are 4 & 7. I definitely love the concept and I can make my six meals in about 1 hr, but my husband has not been overly happy. He feels they are a little bland for his taste, though you can adjust the spices accordingly. Now that they have raised their prices I am re-evaluating it. But in your situation I would say definitely do it, it will be one less thing to worry about every day and more time to sit and cuddle on the couch. The meals themselves have been good. You definitely need a good amount of freezer space because some of them come in 9 x 13 metal pans and some come in freezer bags, but depending on how many meals you make in the pans that could eat up alot of freezer space.

 

[SILLYANDI]

I have done DD and My Girlfriend's Kitchen and can get away with a 3 portion meal for our 6 member family. I simply add 1 more chicken breast or pork chop, etc when I get home. Our family liked most of the DD meals, none of the MGFK meals. I am very fortunate, my kids are not picky eaters-the flavors were always strong and somewhat exotic compared to what i prepare at home.
While I enjoy the adult time while preparing the meals and the convienence of taking it out of the freezer and having dinner in 20 minutes, I couldn't justify the price anymore.
I make alot of my own meals and freeze them now, there are several websites that have great recipes (google freeze ahead meals or oamc). Typical meatloaf, chicken with bottled marinade in a ziploc bag, stuffed shells, stuffed cabbage those types of things are what I do on my own.