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March 2013 Moms
oliversmom03
member
Who wants to start a freezer meal thread?
oliversmom03
member
So okay, I totally regret not freezing meals when Francesca was born this April, but she was born a tad bit early due toheart issues and when I found out what happened, I went through a depression, where I didn't want to do anything. I am totally regretting not freezing at least a month worth of meals now. That month was so crazy, I can't even remember what the heck we were eating. I know that I purchased a book called,"Don't Panic, Dinner Is In The Freezer," but I have not made anything from it. I know it is very early to start making meals, but I thought evryone could come together and post there favorite freezer meals. We just had another mommy request we do this for her, and I thought it would be nice to get some recipes going around so we are ready before our BIG DAYS that are ahead. I gave her about three ideas so far, but I don't do as much frozen cooking as I would like, bc I want to learn more about it. I know for freezing for an extended period of time, there is a way to do it, but I have no clue. 
I don't usually freeze for all that long. Just leftovers and stuff that will be eaten within two weeks. Any mom's that are experts in this, and want to give advice, and or recipes?
I don't usually freeze for all that long. Just leftovers and stuff that will be eaten within two weeks. Any mom's that are experts in this, and want to give advice, and or recipes? This discussion has been closed.
Re: Who wants to start a freezer meal thread?
Sounds great! I love this blog in general, but here is a link to her post on freezer meals!
https://happilyherring.blogspot.com/2012/07/getting-ready-for-baby-freezer-meals.html
I like this blogger:
https://annies-eats.com/2011/03/28/stocking-the-freezer-make-ahead-meals/
::MyBlog::
I freeze meals often. Pasta/casserole dishes freeze really well. I've done lasagna, baked ziti, stuffed shells, manicotti, eggplant parmesan and the like with good results. For most of those meals, a recipe will call for a 9x13 dish. I'll split the recipe between two 8x8 pans and bake one for dinner that night and freeze the other. You can freeze directly in Pyrex and those ziploc plastic storage containers. I've also lined Pyrex with foil, put the meal in it and the tightly wrap the foil, but the whole thing in the freezer over night and then take out the frozen foil wrapped meal and put it in a ziploc bag and label it. Soups and stews also freeze well. For those, I just stick the whole thing in a gallon ziploc bag.
I had quite a stash of meals before DS was born. I think it lasted us about a month. I plan on doing something similar before the next one is born because it makes meal planning, groceries and clean up so much easier!
I have one! Green chile chicken enchiladas
Saute half a chopped onion in a little olive oil, then mix in about 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken (2 cans of chicken if you are in a pinch), a block of 1/3 less fat cream cheese, a can of green chiles, and some chopped olives if you like olives. Split mixture between 4 tortillas and roll like burritos. Place burritos seam side down in a dish and top with a can of green enchilada sauce. Sprinkle with cheese and then freeze or bake.
I typically don't freeze a whole meal, but that may change since this is our first LO. In my freezer there's always a few packages of ground beef, turkey, chicken, and pork since it thaws so fast and can be used in anything. And lots of chicken breasts.
I make ahead pestos and sauces and freeze them in bags. Got the idea from Rachael Ray. They freeze flat and stack up taking up very little room. I've currently got homemade traditional petso, cilantro pesto, broccoli pesto, arrugula pesto, BBQ sauce, and roasted tomato sauce...I think that's it? I love the pesto to stir into pasta or top protein with, and the sauces I can put in the crock pot still frozen with the protein to slow cook all day.
Please keep me in the loop on any additional freezer meal threads. I just started this in May it has been a life saver, and wish my DH would not have told me it was stupid to do before our first LO came.
I do however need more ideas. Onceamonthmom.com is a good resource.
I love this idea. We could do something once a week.
I want to do this and am trying to convince DH that we should get a spare freezer. Our one in the kitchen is pretty small. I have been looking on craigslist for used freezers.
I typically make a meal and freeze leftovers. I am going to try a little more on a limited basis to see if it is a time saver, money saver, and that we actually eat the freezer meals.
I am starting today. I am going to make twice baked potatoes with dinner tonight and freeze a bunch of them before the final bake to see if this is something that would work for us.