Prep ahead and freeze recipes

[tink_n_pooh]

In an attempt to save money, eat better, and make my life easier I decided I am going to try to prep as many meals as possible so that I can freeze it all together and then just cook or toss in the crock pot as needed, this is sometimes called "dump" cooking. I found 2 websites with helpful recipes and ideas

http://whenthedinnerbellrings.blogspot.com/2011/06/super-easy-way-to-getting-meals-ready.html

http://melissafallistestkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/freezer-cooking-slow-cooker-meals.html

Have any of you tried this before? Success? Failure? Tips? And I would love if you would share any recipes

 

[ilovepete]

I have. I did big ones in preparation for both of my kids to have things to eat while they were newborns but not have to cook it. Then I do it whenever I get a chance since then. Be sure to write down what you have so you remember to use it when you are meal planning. It really does help take the stress off some of those busy days!

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I checked out those web sites. Neat idea. I think the key to any type of cook ahead/make ahead dinner is to have a plan. You need to know what recipes you are making, versus trying to cook "on the fly" when you walk in the door.

I chop up all the vegetables the night before, and pull out any frozen meat. I put all that in the fridge. Then when I walk in the door I do not have to think, just move. this works for casseroles, stir fry.... You could also dump it all in a crockpot before you leave for work.

Remember too that onions, chopped, can be kept in the freezer in individual bags, as can peppers and even minced garlic, so lots of prep work can be done at once and frozen, but you don't have to have a particular meal in mind at the time.

Buy meat on sale and freeze.

My other time saver is my huge binder of favorite recipes. These are NOT recipes to try, but tried and true. That way I don't have to dig around, or remember which cookbook has which recipe.

Have you bought the Fix it and Forget it Cookbook yet? It is a must have. Yes some recipes will not appeal to your family but it helps you learn what all you need to put in the crockpot (how much liquid, how long to cook) for success.

Have fun!

 

[honeydiane1953]

The cooking websites suggest u find a day and cook all day long and freeze meals. Use double freezer bags and squeeze all of the air out of the bag and stack food flat so u can have lots of room. They also say don't run errands as u will not get near as much done. This one lady did this all day long on Saturdays then Sunday and the rest of the week is a dream. Just add maybe a salad and bread and thaw out a casserole. If I were young and worked I would try this. I am retired now but STILL remember those nights of being hungry and kids STARVING lol.

 

[DanaAustinChelsea]

I love freezer cooking! It's so convenient & really helps cut down on my dining out budget too.

The two sites that I found most helpful:

http://lifeasmom.com/features/freezer-cooking-days

and

http://moneysavingmom.com/recipeshttp://moneysavingmom.com/recipes

 

[bettymae1121]

I've done that in the past but have gotten away from it recently. I want to start doing it again. Will have to start doing it again, I'm going to get very very busy in the next few weeks!

Anyway, i'll cook and dice chicken then freeze, you can use that for dozens of things (just heat and add to salad if you're really up a dinner creek with no paddle!). Also fry up ground beef with onion and/or bell peppers to have on hand for tacos, chili, pasta sauce.

I've bought packages of pork chops and chicken breasts and broken them down into two-chop/breast bags, filled with marinade, then frozen. When I want to make them, I pull them from the freezer in the morning, they marinate as they thaw and I have DH grill them up outside while I make some simple side dishes on the stove. You could bake them too if you don't feel like grilling.

 

[encinc]

I'd like to do the same thing. I actually posted a thread about a week ago looking for recipe ideas. Those websites look great. I'm planning to put together a dozen or so meals over labour day weekend. What I make will likely be based of whatever meat is on sale that week. I like to make some vegetarian meals too, because we're trying to cut down on how much meat we eat.