Thursday, August 29, 2013

More Freezer Foods



Okay, here is the list I keep on my fridge of all the dinners for one and a half to two months (we eat with my husband's family once a week, we eat out once a week, and maybe with my family every other week). I fill in the little bubbles as we eat them. There are two bubbles, because I have two of everything made (or on hand). 


list hanging on fridge

August-September Cooking List
O O Sloppy Joes: French Fries, Fruit Salad
O O Spaghetti: Bread, Salad
O O Nachos: Chips, Taco meat, Queso, and the fixins
O O Meatloaf muffins: Corn on the Cob, Baked Beans
O O Beef Fajitas: Tortillas, Sour Cream, Queso, Chips Salsa
O O Frito Pie: Chili, Fritos, and the fixins
O O Hamburger(Grilled): French Fries, Fruit Salad
O O Steak(Grilled): Corn, Baked Beans
O O Hot Dogs(Grilled): Chips, Fruit Salad
O O Lasagna: Bread, Salad
O O Sweet BBQ Chicken: Mac and Cheese, Fruit Salad
O O Teriyaki Chicken: Couscous, Stirfry veggies
O O Creamy Italian Chicken: Salad, Bread
O O Honey Garlic Chicken: Rolls, Green Beans, Fruit Salad
O O Balsamic Glazed Drumsticks: Couscous, Broccoli
O O Applesauce BBQ Chicken: Mac and Cheese, Fruit Salad

 Here is my freezer. Top shelf (you can't see) has my steaks and hamburger meat. The next shelf has one of each frozen meal (at least the ones we haven't eaten). The third shelf also has one of each meal. The bottom shelf is Adam's lunch shelf. I also like to by those long french loaves of bread from the bakery and split them in thirds and freeze them. They defrost super quick and easy to turn into a side.The door and bottom bin has my frozen veggies.


Easy frozen beef dishes:

Spaghetti: Nothing fancy here just spaghetti packet, ground beef, and tomato sauce and stuff.... Adam doesn't care for the jarred stuff as much.

Taco meat: same thing pretty basic, just seasonings and beef.

Beef fajitas: This is my only beef recipe where the meat is not cooked ahead of time. Cut the beef (skirt or flank steak) into strips, some fajita seasoning(I split my recipes in two so I put 1/2 packet in each bag, 1/2 to 3/4 cup water (per freezer meal), slice up a couple bell peppers (I like two use to different colors) and toss them in the bag(s), and slice up an onion and toss that in too. That's it!  Super Easy!


Chili for Frito Pie:
  • 2 pounds Ground Beef
  • 3 cloves Garlic, Minced (optional)
  • 1 can Tomato Sauce
  • 1 can Ro-tel
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Oregano
  • 1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
  • 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
  • 1 can (14-ounce) Kidney Beans, Drained And Rinsed
  • 1/4 cup Masa (corn Flour) Or Regular Corn Meal
  • 1/2 cup Warm Water

Preparation Instructions

Brown ground beef with garlic in a pot over medium-high heat. Add tomato sauce, Rotel, salt, oregano, cumin, and chili powder. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes.

Add drained and rinsed beans. Stir to combine, then cover and simmer for another 20 minutes.
Mix masa with water, then add to the chili. Stir to combine and simmer for a final 10 to 15 minutes.

Let cool, bag, and the freeze. Took reheat, I left mine thaw out on the counter, run under warm water, or overnight it in the fridge till dinner time the next day and then pour it into a pot and warm it up.


Sloppy Joes:
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 2-1/2 pounds Ground Beef
  • 1/2 whole Large Onion, Diced
  • 1 whole Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced
  • 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 1-1/2 cup Ketchup
  • 1 cup Water
  • 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • Worcestershire Sauce, To Taste
  • Salt To Taste
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste

Preparation Instructions

Add butter to a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Drain most of the fat and discard.
Add onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft.
Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili pepper, dry mustard, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add Worcestershire.

Really there are so many things that you could freeze (soups, stews, casseroles, enchiladas, just browned meat, or grilled chicken patties...). This are just some of the meals that my pretty picky family enjoys.

No comments:

Post a Comment