Small little freezer and food to go in it.

16 years ago

I've decided this is the year to get my MIL (who is 86) a small little freezer and fill it with pre-cooked, frozen food. (We're calling it Happy Holidays, as it's the gift that keeps on giving.) Since I do this a lot for us anyway, (so we can eat something homemade when my energy is low) it will be easy to incorporate a few extra meals here and there to include for her. She always loves coming here and going home with a food care package, so this seems like the right time for that. I'm including lots of little meals with some extra fat (she is very thin and could use a little building/bulking up) like cheese, or sour cream...even a bit of butter! I know she likes my cooking, and is always so appreciative of anything we do like that, it feels like the time is NOW.

In my planning, I'm having no trouble with casseroles, pasta choices, meat, soups or bread (muffins, garlic, waffles and dessert), but am wondering most what kind of vegetables I can make to include. I don't typically make frozen vegetable meals unless it's a twice-baked potato with broccoli and a protein, or they are included in a casserole. If I find fresh vegs, isn't this the way to go? I'd like to include some sides to go with things like a slice of meatloaf or a small pork chop, and think everyone needs greens! How would it be to roast them al dente for freezing and reheating? This is probably the only thing I have the least experience with freezing (as I tend to make fresh vegetables), and any help in this department is appreciated!

Here's the little freezer I've picked, as it seems ''just right'' for my Goldilocks syndrome. Her current freezer isn't big enough for more than an ice-tray and just a few little items, yet this doesn't seem so big I can't keep it going. I'm telling her it's only for cooked/prepared food, or that which she buys herself, as my BIL will show up with an entire quarter beef (thinking he's being helpful. It would never occur to him it's a drag to cook for one, or be overwhelmed by the sight of a lot of meat sitting in your too-small freezer!)

Here is a link that might be useful: Small little freezer

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Comments (9)

chancesmom
16 years ago
I have no veg suggestions but think this is a wonderful idea. I will look forward to other's suggestions and maybe copy them!
triciae
16 years ago
Spinach is a good veggie to use in frozen entrees. Things like spinach/ricotta lasagna roll-ups in something like a gorgonzola sauce freeze excellent...we've got some in our freezer now. As a side dish, spinach sauteed w/a bit of shallot, mushrooms, garlic, & a bit of lemon zest/juice also freezes very well.

I think it's wonderful you're doing this for your MIL & the little upright freezer looks perfect.

/tricia
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teresa_nc7
16 years ago
I found some vegetable recipes in my personal chef manual that might be suitable. Although I have not personally made these recipes, they sound good to me and I know they have all been made and frozen by personal chef for their clients.

Half Moon Squash Saute - makes 4 servings

1 large zucchini, or two small
1 large yellow squash, or 2 small
1 bunch green onions
2 tb olive oil
1 tb dried thyme or any dried herb
1 cup chicken broth
s&p to taste
2 cloves garlic pressed

Cut squash in half lengthwise, then into 1" slices to make a half-moon shape.
Slice onion, with tops, into thin slices.
Put olive oil into a large non-stick pan on medium heat. Add the squash, onion and herbs. Saute only 5 minutes. Season with s&p to taste. Add chicken broth and press garlic into the mixture and cook all until liquid is reduced.

Note: do not overcook.

Place in a freezer container suitable for the number of servings you need at one time or put in an appropriately sized ziplock bag.

Heating: Stir fry in a non-stick pan until hot through or in the microwave 2-4 minutes, stirring until steamy hot.

Bavarian Red Cabbage

1 small head red cabbage, coarsely sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
3 tart apples, core and quarter
2 t. salt
1 cup hot water
1 1/2 t. sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
3 TB bacon drippings or butter
flour

Place all in crock pot in order listed. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Stir well, Thicken with a slurry of a little flour and water.

Package in serving size needed in a freezer container.

Heating: vent lid and microwave on high until hot, stirring half way through the heating time.

Lemon Broccoli - 4 servings

1 head broccoli, florets
1/2 stick butter
3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

Microwave cook the broccoli with a little water until just barely cooked, turning dark green. Melt the butter in a pan, add the garlic and heat for one minutes, add the lemon juice. Toss with the broccoli.

Freeze in an appropriate container.

Heating: microwave on about 5-9 minutes, until steaming hot.

Easy Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes- 4 servings

4 large sweet potatoes
maple syrup
butter
cinnamon

Peel, slice and cook potatoes in microwave with a little water or pineapple juice. Dot with margarine. Drizzle with the syrup and sprinkle on cinnamon to taste.

Package according to serving size needed. Cool and cover

Heating: vent lid of freezer container, heat gently in the microwave until hot, being careful not to overheat or the syrup may burn.
kathleenca
16 years ago
Claire, you are a thoughtful DIL. Great idea, & the freezer is small enough that your MIL won't feel overwhelmed.

I wouldn't think there would be anything wrong with buying small packages of frozen vegetables, single or mixed, for some variety once in a while. They could be broken up into individual servings, & provide backup for those times when you may not have enough of your own time.
claire_de_luna
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you for the recipes Teresa; I will put them to good use!

Tricia and Janet, Thanks for the support. I appreciate it.

Kathleen, That's a great idea. Just breaking up a frozen bag of something into individual portions is a great idea. If I use the FoodSaver to pre-portion them, I won't have to worry about freezer burn.
rachelellen
16 years ago
Since you're trying to get a bit of weight on her, how about making a cheese sauce and a cream sauce and freezing them in small quantities? Then she could take a portion of whatever frozen veg she likes and add the sauce of her choice before zapping it.
Islay_Corbel
16 years ago
What about some veggie tarts? Those should freeze and re-heat well. ALso, timbales of purÃ¯Â¿Â½ed veggies, rÃ¯Â¿Â½sti.....
cynic
16 years ago
I'm all for shortcuts and frozen veggies are fine. If she will do canned stuff too that would compliment and you could concentrate more on the main dishes. Lasagna, Mac & Cheese, macaroni hotdish, even some prepped garlic bread to go with it. Frozen spaghetti sauce if she would cook the pasta?

Don't forget plenty of ice cream, pie and cake!
claire_de_luna
Original Author
16 years ago
Rachelellen, I always add cheese and other things that help make up a thick sauce when I'm putting together a casserole dish. I think she would prefer that anyway, rather than having to pull out a separate sauce, although that's a good idea. I'm going for the KISS principle here, as I remind myself of what I think would be easiest for her.

Islay corbel, Great idea! I'd have try one or two out on her first, to see if a vegetable tart would go over. (She's an old-fashioned country cook, so I'm not entirely sure at this point.) It may be that she would prefer to open up a can of vegetables...I don't know yet. Even if she wouldn't, I think I might like that!

Cynic, exactly! Those are all things I have planned, including chicken pot pies, lasagna, meatloaf, etc. etc. I'm also including some cheese-free meals for the times it would be better to lay off dairy in case of a sinus infection, which she seems to battle quite often. I want to be mindful of fixing her something that won't promote mucus! I'm planning to include some pint jars of home-made chicken broth, with some shredded chicken portioned for each jar.

We went and looked at the freezer this afternoon. It's actually smaller than I expected, which is good for her, and won't be hard for me to keep filled. DH is going there this week and will scope out the space to make sure she has some to accommodate this. (I'm so happy to have a good idea figured out. Last year we gave her taxi service for the bad weather months, which she was thrilled about. I think this will be a hit as well.) The plan is to drop it off when we take her home after spending Thanksgiving with us. That should give me a little time to cook!

Small little freezer and food to go in it.

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chancesmom

triciae

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Small little freezer and food to go in it.

Comments (9)

chancesmom

triciae

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