Meals that freeze well?

16 years ago

I'm trying to think ahead when baby comes (about a month away) and plan some dinners to freeze, but I've never really done that before. So what are the "rules"? I know certain things don't freeze well, maybe milk based sauces?

This baby will be a spring one, so big pans of lasagnes and things don't seem "weather" appropiate, but it's really all I can think of. I want to breastfeed if possible, and last time, Olivia did not like spaghetti sauces or chili lol whoops!

I figure if anything, we'll throw stuff on the grill or easy dinners like that, after baby arrives.

So any ideas? Or better yet, who wants to come live with us and be our cook?? and nanny LOL

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Comments (13)

paula_pa
16 years ago
I've been thinking along the same lines since my baby is due July 3rd and I'm not going to want to pop frozen dinners in the oven in July. The grill will probably be my friend too. I might freeze some taco or sloppy joe meat and grilled chicken (for salads or pasta dishes). I'll keep some frozen fish on hand. It defrosts quickly and cooks quickly.

DH worked nights the first few months of Nick's life so I never had to worry about proper dinners really. This will be different since I have to feed DH and Nick every night too.
okwriter
16 years ago
Do you eat BBQ? If you cook/bake some sliced or chopped BBQ beef or pork, it can easily be warmed in the microwave for sandwiches. Add in a salad or some chips or a can of pork 'n beans, and it's a meal!

I love your idea of grilling. I put frozen HB patties or frozen sausage things (sp? - kiobalsa?) on the grill, and they are done by the time I get a few side dishes ready.

I think stew is good any time of year. Good for you, too!

okwriter (the most UNcreative cook on the face of the earth)
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slowlane, I make brownie mix from the King Arthur Flour recipe on their website, as well as this whole grain pancake "mix". I just use regular whole wheat flour. They also have recipes for biscuit mix and a quick mix that can be used to make muffins. Homemade Whole-Grain Pancake Mix These pancakes are just shy of 90% whole-grain; and they're absolutely delicious, featuring the sweet-nutty taste of oats and wheat. This recipe comes courtesy of Susan Reid and Susan Miller, two of the authors of King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking. Thanks, ladies! 4 cups King Arthur white whole wheat flour 1 cup King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour 3 1/2 cups old-fashioned or rolled oats 3 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons baking powder 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 cup vegetable oil Pancakes 1 cup homemade mix 1 cup buttermilk, or a combination of plain yogurt and milk; or 3/4 cup liquid whey 1 large egg 1) To make the mix: Grind the oats in a food processor until they're chopped fine, but not a powder. 2) Put the flour, oats, and all other dry ingredients into a mixer with a paddle. Mix on slow speed, and drizzle the vegetable oil into the bowl slowly while the mixer is running. 3) Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature, or indefinitely in the refrigerator or freezer. To make pancakes: Whisk together 1 cup of mix, 1 cup of buttermilk (or a combination of half plain yogurt and half milk; or 3/4 cup liquid whey), and 1 large egg. Don't worry if it seems thin at first: the oats will soak up the milk, and the mix will thicken a bit as it stands. 5) Let the batter stand for at least 20 minutes before cooking. Heat a lightly greased griddle to 350�F (if you've got a griddle with a temperature setting; if not, medium-hot will do). 7) Drop the batter onto it in 1/4-cupfuls (a jumbo cookie scoop works well here) to make a 4" diameter pancake. If you have English muffin rings, use them; they make a perfectly round, evenly thick pancake. 8) When the edges look dry and bubbles come to the surface without breaking (after about 2 minutes, if your griddle is the correct temperature), turn the pancake over to finish cooking on the second side, which will take about 2 minutes. 9) Serve pancakes immediately, or stack and hold in a warm oven. Yield: a batch using 1 cup of the mix will make about 5 to 8 pancakes, depending on size. Recipe summary Hands-on time: 20 mins. Baking time: 4 mins. to 8 mins. Total time: 60 mins. Yield: 10 cups dry mix; enough for 50 to 80 pancakes Tips from our bakers ◦If you're not in the habit of having buttermilk around, reconsider: you can freeze leftover buttermilk, in 1-cup portions, for future batches of pancakes. And if you don't have buttermilk, but do have buttermilk powder, add 1/4 cup buttermilk powder to the dry mix along with 1 large egg and 1 cup water or milk. ◦These pancakes hold in a low oven for half an hour without getting tough or rubbery, and they're more than willing to act as a vehicle for any kind of fruit addition. A partial list of combinations that have made successful appearances so far: peach, raspberry, banana-walnut, cheddar-apple, blueberry, and cranberry-apricot. ◦Do you enjoy making your own Greek-style, thick yogurt by draining plain yogurt through a strainer? If so, don't discard the drained-off whey; it's a great stand-in for buttermilk in this recipe. Since it's thinner than buttermilk, you'll want to use 3/4 cup whey in place of the 1 cup buttermilk called for. ◦Variation: Add 1 tablespoon orange juice to the dry mix along with the buttermilk. We've found that the acidity and sweetness of the orange juice helps mellow the tannic taste some people perceive in whole wheat flour; while the pancakes won't have any orange flavor, they may taste slightly milder to you, if you're not a fan of whole wheat flour (but still want to get more whole grains into your diet). I agree about the soup base/bouillion/etc in most of the dry soup "recipes", the sodium level is astonishing. I think some people here found a lower sodium alternative "base" but I don't much like any of them, they taste fake to me. Good luck. Annie
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I agree its not only hard cooking for one its hard to eat healthy and not waste money and food especially on fresh fruits and veggies. I think it takes some thought and (my pitfall) a lot of planning since often when you buy something its more than you can eat and doesn't always freeze well by itself. So if you buy a big stalk of broccoli, separate some for eating and make a casserole for freezing, or certainly try to figure which is cheaper, frozen or fresh?. A bag of applies for fresh fruit may be a better deal than single applies but can't eat the whole bag before mushy? Make pie for freezing. Eggs on sale? Again, eat some fresh then make something freezable (is quiche freezable?) A couple of thoughts, Rachael Ray always mentions when using frozen spinach what a good deal it is since you get so much packed in the box for the price. Its good for you so you could google casseroles with spinach (I had a friend in college with no money, he ate one meal a day, spaghetti and spinach). Also lentils, and beans are high in protein and all sorts of good for you things. Back in the day people only ate meat a couple of times a week and ate things like lentils flavored with a chunk of salt pork or soup bone. Dr. Oz on Oprah was just talking about this very thing, cut back on meat and eat more lentils and beans (actually I think his wife is a vegetarian) You can search these forums, I'd search the cooking forum and even ask this question there for favorite recipes (actually I think there was a recent thread on depression food). You can check your library for older cookbooks, the kind that don't use a bunch of expensive ingredients. I imagine there are books on eating on a budget too. You might also keep your eyes out for someone in a similar situation - perhaps you can buy some things in bulk and split them. Last, you might look at the rest of your budget, how much do you spend on cleaning supplies when baking soda and vinegar would work? Do you have an Aldi's near you?
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ruthieg__tx
16 years ago
If you google once a month cooking or go to the Once a week cooking forum here at Gardenweb, you will find lots of good recipes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Once a week forum
naughtykitty
16 years ago
This might be a perfect time to try one of the easy meals places; Super Suppers, Dream Dinners, etc. 1st timers usually get a pretty good discount and you can get some great ideas of things to make on your own to freeze.

Here is a link that might be useful: Super Suppers
bearcat_va
16 years ago
Thanks for asking this question...I'm not the best cook but I can certainly do a few simple things to freeze. Teresa and I will have to have a cooking day before the babies are here! (Paula, come on down from PA and freeze 'em up with us) LOL!
casey_nfld
16 years ago
Homemade mac & cheese freezes well. It's pretty well the only thing I make and freeze.
irishdancersgram
16 years ago
I help in the kitchen at our Meals on Wheels and almost any dinner can be frozen...We use the 3 compartment trays and make up extra meals, seal them and freeze them. Usually in the winter, we will send our 1 of these meals to be used for emergencies but other times of the year, we have people that need them for the weekends...They can last up to 3 months if sealed properly and just need popped into the microwave....When you have the time or now while you're preparing dinner, make up a couple to keep on hand....
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
16 years ago
I like to make Pot Pies and freeze them.

I also, freeze:
Meatloaf
Scrambled Hamburger for quick casseroles and tacos.
Stewed Chicken for quick casseroles and salads.
Sliced Ham freezes very well.
Gayle
grittymitts
16 years ago
After my Mom died, I lived 75 miles away & only got to go see my Dad once a week. I cooked enough extra every night for a full meal, and froze it. When I went to visit him on Saturdays I took 7 dinners he could pop in the oven. My Sis took him lunch each day & always included salads. Sweet SIL dropped by with a hot homemade breakfast, so he was well fed.
Linda Wayman
16 years ago
Recently someone here said they froze leftover pizza and it froze well.
All I ever freeze is meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, cooked and crumbled ground beef and lasagna. We rarely have any left over pizza or I would try that.

Linda
Adella Bedella
16 years ago
I love to mix my meatloaf with the raw ground meat and freeze it ahead. I pop it in the oven for an hour when I want a homecooked meal.

I use frozen cooked hamburger and chicken for Hamburger/Chicken Helpers and Rice-A-Roni meals. The back of the boxes usually have additions you can make to make them a full meal. Frozen or canned veggies make great easy sides.
liz
16 years ago
Sorry Teresa...all the KT cooks are at my house cooking for me till my right arm decides to kick back in and do what its supposed to do...LOL

I didn't cook anything ahead before this surgery...but I bought a whole bunch of those rotelli frozen packaged dinners...hubster and my son can throw it in a pan and we have a decent meal in a few minutes...another thing my hubster does is go to the grocery store which has a fabulous deli and buys cooked veggies...it's a bit expensive but since I really can't put together a good meal with one arm, it's been a wonderful thing...

I can't wait to see your new baby!! Is big sister getting excited?...If she's anything like my older son was...she'll be a godsend...he would run and get me things and was just a great little helper...it made him feel needed!
susan_on
16 years ago
Shepherd's pie, and chicken tettrazini.

Meals that freeze well?

Comments (13)

paula_pa

okwriter

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