Sharing food with family and friends is one of the joys of the holidays. But if it’s your job to cook the meals, you may find yourself spending more time in the kitchen than enjoying the festivities. Not that cooking isn’t fun. However, being prepared ahead of time can make the process a lot more enjoyable.

If you’re cooking a big meal this week, take some time today to plan out your week’s food schedule. Look for dishes you can cook ahead and chart them in your calendar. You may even know about some foods that can be safely frozen several days ahead of time. Share what you know with everyone here.