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Post by lynsee on Jan 15, 2012 10:55:07 GMT -6
What is your favorite meal to make ahead of time and store in the freezer?? Please share ideas and recipes! I'm looking to cook and stock up as much as I can in the next few weeks before baby comes!! Thanks!
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Post by sharon on Jan 15, 2012 11:11:32 GMT -6
My two standards for this are pasta sauce and salmon croquettes. I did this before Ian was born, and also for my best friend when she had her daughter. For the sauce, I start with meat for protein or not. I saute garlic and onion, and meanwhile, purree some veggies in the Cuisinarte. I typically use kale, mushrooms, cauliflower, sweet peppers. But you can use anything - especially things your family does not eat but will be good for them, because they won't be able to tell they are in there Once the garlic and onion is sauteed, I add cans of plain tomato sauce (we use Muir Glen), the veggies, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme. Then I simmer the whole thing for a long time until the flavors all blend and it just looks "saucy." Once cooled, I put 2 cups at a time in freezer bags. Then when I need a quick healthy meal, in the time it takes to boil water and cook some whole grain pasta, I can thaw out and warm the sauce. I just run a little warm water over the bag, or place it in a bowl of warm water, just until I can get it out of the bag, and then warm on the stove. The croquettes are a version of Mark Bittman's recipe. I can get you the exact proportions if you want them, but it's salmon, sweet potato, bread crumbs, egg, parsley, mustard, salt, pepper. I think that's it. You can do them burger size, but we usually do them more nugget size. They freeze great and you can just thaw out exactly as many as you want that evening, just popping them in the toaster oven to thaw and warm.
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Post by lynsee on Jan 15, 2012 18:08:48 GMT -6
Yes, please share your croquette recipe! I've never had anything like that before!
So far I ahve 4 lasagnas, 1 tator tot hot dish, 1 chicken casserole, and a few batches of meatballs in the freezer. A good little stock!
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Post by sarahisis on Jan 15, 2012 21:14:45 GMT -6
chicken noodle soup and chili
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Post by sharon on Jan 16, 2012 7:19:30 GMT -6
Salmon Croquettes:
1 to 2 cups salmon (can be leftover fresh, or canned) 1 to 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes (I often serve them as a side dish the day before I'm making this, and just make plenty so there are leftovers) 1/2 cup minced onion 1 tsp minced ginger and/or garlic 1 egg 1 tsp dijon mustard 1/2 to 1 cup purreed or chopped veggies: carrots and kale are our usual, but you could probably use whatever salt and pepper about a cup of bread crumbs canola oil
Beat the egg and add half the bread crumbs, letting them soak and soften. Chop or Cuisinarte the veggies and add them. Add everything else and mix well. Add as much of the other half a cup of breadcrumbs as needed so the mixture becomes stiff enough to form into croquettes.
Heat a small film of canola oil on high in a pan. Once hot, form croquettes in whatever size you prefer and cook about 5 minutes on each side.
Can dip them in ketchup (yuck! but kids like it that way sometimes), soy sauce (Ian's preference), sour cream with dill, tartar sauce, etc.
Once cooked you can freeze them and then just put the number you want to eat straight from the freezer into the toaster oven until warm.
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Post by sharon on Jan 16, 2012 7:21:35 GMT -6
I should add - I do them nugget size for easy dipping and kid-friendliness. But you can do them burger size and even serve on a bun if you like.
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Post by irish on Jan 16, 2012 8:07:50 GMT -6
Thanks for sharing Sharon, they sound delicious!! Can't wait to try them!
Sorry, Lynsee...I'm useless with freezer dinners!
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Post by bethw06 on Jan 20, 2012 15:49:15 GMT -6
Soups, sloppy joes, maybe getting a deli chicken and shredding the meat and freezing some of the meat for chicken salad sandwiches or chicken enchiladas or tacos.
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kkj
Bronze
Posts: 55
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Post by kkj on Jan 20, 2012 16:18:23 GMT -6
Campbells soup has a chicken enchilada recipe that freezes well and is souper yumo.
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Post by clarksgirl on Jan 23, 2012 12:03:32 GMT -6
I am actually working on this as we speak Lynsee!! Here is my list I have put together and am going to get started on. Meatloaf - mix ingredients form loaf and freeze in foil lined loaf pan until frozen than transfer to ziploc or container of choice. Lasagna & Meatballs - you have Fajitas - put dry ingredients in bag, followed by veggies, and add raw chicken last. The day of cooking put in crock pot on 6-8 hours on low (saw this on a freezer site that is was ok to freeze chicken in chunks in bag if you choose or added day of your choice) Crack Potatoes (side dish) - www.plainchicken.com/2011/01/crack-potatoes.htmlA super easy crockpot recipes I have: Pork for Sandwiches - 1 Beef Roast, 1 cup ketchup, 1 can of coke - or- 1 Pork Tenderloin, favorite bbq sauce, 1 can of root bear
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Post by love on Jan 23, 2012 14:56:13 GMT -6
Let's dish is a great way to stock up. I lets dish once a month (usually make 8 or the 12 entrees) you set everything up. Pop them into your freezer and cook according to what the bag says. It is expensive but worth it. I usually will give a new mom 4 freezer lets dishes upon arrival of baby. It is so nice to eat great food and all you have to do is heat it!
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Post by love on Jan 23, 2012 14:56:42 GMT -6
Sorry I got off topic.....
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Post by megan1201 on Feb 21, 2012 23:16:26 GMT -6
Bumping this up -- I have some girlfriends coming over on Thursday night to help me stock my freezer with meals to have on hand while on bedrest and for after the baby comes. Anyone else have some great make ahead freezer meals? I found this blog that has some awesome recipes, but looking for a few more still. amandathevirtuouswife.blogspot.com/search/label/freezer%20cooking
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