Order a pizza.

Anonymous wrote:I like the idea of the marinated meats in bags because you can take them out the morning and grill them that night.

You can freeze these flat. Obviously transport them in a cooler and when you get to the beach put them in the fridge--don't refreeze meat.

Do TV dinners instead of cooking ahead.'cheaper than eating out and more fun.

Anonymous wrote:Omg, your going to the beach, don't cook ahead of time.
Go, relax and EAT out.
You can't be so cheap. I have never heard of people bringing precook end food like that

Seriously??? She's cooking, I'm assuming, because it is a way to make the entire beach trip possible. This is a way to get the family to the beach and not spend all the $ eating out. This isn't about being cheap, its about a budget. I'd be willing to bet that there will be a few meals out and I bet they are budgeting for those meals out by eating some meals in.

You know, whatever well-off world you're living in, try to step out of it, even if for a moment, and realize that everyone doesn't have $$$ to toss around like you.

Anonymous wrote:Omg, your going to the beach, don't cook ahead of time.
Go, relax and EAT out.
You can't be so cheap. I have never heard of people bringing precook end food like that

No kidding. Reminds me of this...

http://www.theonion.com/articles/mom-spends-beach-vacation-assuming-all-household-d,33431/

Precooked food

Omg, your going to the beach, don't cook ahead of time.
Go, relax and EAT out.
You can't be so cheap. I have never heard of people bringing precook end food like that

08:34 again.

you could also double up on what you make this week. Try chicken caccatori... it makes a great meal and freezes/thaws great. Just add rice and there's a full meal... veggies and all.

Do you feel like taking a croc pot along? That might make things easy as well. You can toss in the ingredients before you go to the beach and when you get back, dinner is done!

Lasagna... you can do all the prep and put it right in the oven (think Stouffer's style)

Spaghetti Sauce (then all you need to do is make the noodles and a fresh salad)

Spinach Dip (Freezes great)

Homemade Brownies (my sister did this for me when I had my son... the batter was in the pan... all I had to do was toss it in the oven).

I did two frozen pre-prepared meals for the beach. The first was chili, but planned to eat it on the first day (when we were traveling and only at the beach for an hour or two). Otherwise, after a day at the beach, chili isn't always appealing.

The second was I marinated chicken and froze it. I think I got the advice here to freeze immediately, and then let the marinate sink in as it defrosted. It turned out pretty good. The other thing you could do is cut up chicken in whatever form you need it to make an easy dinner and freeze it.

I also resorted to hot dogs for one night. My son loved them. I could freeze them before to help keep the cooler cold (along with the chili and chicken) and it made for a super easy night.

I like the idea of the marinated meats in bags because you can take them out the morning and grill them that night.

I think enchiladas will freeze well and still be tasty after a day at the beach.

I like the idea of meal starters like cooked ground beef, taco ground beef, cooked shredded chicken, that sort of thing. Then you add fresh ingredients and have a meal.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/menus-holidays-parties/mhplibrary/everyday-meals/resolution-stock-your-freezer-with-easy-dinner-starters

French toast casserole would be great for breakfast or even dinner one night. You could also do some pulled pork or chicken for tacos, sandwiches, etc.

The main problem with most of my freezer standbys (baked ziti, meat sauce, etc) is that they're pretty heavy and probably not what you'd want to eat after a hot day at the beach. So I'd prep a bunch of proteins in ziploc bags with marinades - chicken with taco sauce/seasoning, beef strips with teriyaki sauce, and then a bunch of bags of veggies (broccoli, peppers). You can use all this stuff for quick stir-fries, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, etc. With frozen rice and canned beans it'll take just 15 mins or so to throw together and is pretty light.

We go for our annual week at the beach in three weeks. Problem is, I have time this week to do some prep, but not the week right before. So I'd love to make a few things now that I can freeze and take along to minimize vacation time spent in the kitchen.

I'm stumped - I have a couple of freeze ahead dinner standbys, but am looking for a few more, as well as lunch/appetizer ideas too.

Easy transportability is a must! Thank you!