Need ideas for meals to make ahead/freeze

[Anonymous]

We have someone coming in to help us cook and clean as I get ready to have my 3 rd child. She is here once a week and cooks a few meals that we can put in fridge/freezer. Imhaving trouble coming up with ideas for meals that will keep well- we've kind of exhausted the lasagna/meatballs/shepherds pie route. Would appreciate any suggestions you all may have!

[Anonymous]

Maybe chili?

When I was expecting, I froze meat for tacos/fajitas. The recipe is from Cook's Illustrated. Works with ground beef or turkey.

Beef Filling

2 tablespoons vegetable oil or corn oil
1 small onion , chopped small (about 2/3 cup)
3 medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
table salt
1 pound 90% lean ground beef (or leaner)
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons vinegar (preferably cider vinegar)
Ground black pepper

1. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat until hot and shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes; add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, spices, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook, breaking meat up with wooden spoon and scraping pan bottom to prevent scorching, until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, and vinegar; bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently and breaking meat up so that no chunks remain, until liquid has reduced and thickened (mixture should not be completely dry), about 10 minutes. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.
2. Using wide, shallow spoon, divide filling evenly among taco shells; place two tacos on individual plates. Serve immediately, passing toppings separately.



Not exactly what you're looking for, but one of my favorite, quick-and-easy meals is putting a rub on skinless chicken (I use legs) and baking them. This is the rub - you can put less sugar in than it calls for. The measuring is time-consuming, but you can make it in bulk. Great with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dip.

2 tablespoons smoky Spanish paprika
2 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon chile powder
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon celery salt
1 teaspoon oregano, crushed

[Anonymous]

I call this Fiesta Turkey Pasta:
1. Brown 1+ pounds ground turkey in 1 tablespoon oil
2. Add chopped onion, red/green bell pepper, saute for a few minutes more
3. Add 2 cups of salsa and 1 cup of frozen corn and heat through (I usually nuke the corn first to thaw it).
4. Add garlic powder, salt, pepper to taste.
5. Mix in 1/2 - 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (optional).
6. Serve over pasta of your choice. For me, DH, and DD, this makes 2 meals, we eat half the day I make it and freeze the other half. I only freeze the turkey mix and not the pasta -- the pasta gets a bit mushy so I just make some fresh when we have the leftovers.

[Anonymous]

Grilled Chicken - I use McCormick marinade
Muffins freeze well and you can pull the number you need out for a quck snack or breakfast

Have her prepare a crockpot meal put it in the fridge until the day you need it.

A salad will keep for about 5 days and you can have it on the side of many meals. then you can add - chicken or lunch meat to make it a meal.

Baked potatos take 1 hour but have her precook a few and then have them as a side - they can be microwaved or warmed in 10 mintues.

Steaks can be grilled (like a london broil) and sliced for yummy meat with a veggie or the baked potoato.

Taco meat can be made ahead of time - then tacos (or taco salad) can be assembled easily (kids usually want the meat and cheese anyway).

Pork tenderloin -- cook ahead and cut into 1 inch slices - great reheated. These are often already marinated.

Pulled pork - then you can have sandwiches (or a salad) or wrap in a soft taco.

Burritoes - have her cook and chop the chicken, make some rice. Then on the day you eat it heat the rice and the chicken in the microwave (rice may need water to heat). Make you own chipotle burrito - you can add cheese, salsa and sour cream. YuM! My kids love this.

Have her grill veggies (red pepper, onions, zuccinni, portabellas, etc) they reheat great. Also you can make a veggie sandwich with a Kaiser roll - and goat cheese.

Have you ever had baked Cauliflower. OMG! Olive oil, salt and pepper - keeps for a few days. (great side to grilled chicken)

I am so hungry now - I have to go. (Sorry - I did not spell check.)

[Anonymous]

Beef or lamb stews freeze really well.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! These are great ideas. And all stuff my children will potentially eat.

[Anonymous]

My kids like Taco lasagna-

1-2 lbs of ground beef, browned & seasoned
1 can of black beens
shredded taco or mexican cheese
2 jars of mild salsa
sour cream
Corn tortillas

Layer all ingrediants together like a lasagna - first a small amount of sauce to prevent sticking, then tortillas, sauce, meat, beans, sour cream (just random dollops), cheese - repeat. Make sure the final topping is a totilla, sauce & cheese.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, just long enough for everything to melt together.

It's really good and super easy. Now that my kids are getting older I add onions, green chilies to the meat. I try to do thin layers, so I can fit more in the pan.

[Anonymous]

Peach Glazed Pork Chops. This meal is designed to be frozen in advance and then thawed and cooked.

http://www.food.com/recipe/peach-glazed-pork-chops-oamc-163292

[Anonymous]

Google once a month mom and once a month cooking.

[Anonymous]

Buy the "Dream Dinners" cookbook. (although some of the recipes by pps look great too)