Comments on: Q & A: Healthy freezer meals requested!

By: Dextress

Dextress — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000

Hi
I have many baby food recipes which you can freeze. One of them is:
When you get on to the weaning stage, you can introduce different kinds of fruits first. They are the safest. The first thing that i chose to introduce was apple. Its the best as everyone knows. So in the initial days, you can just slice up apples, make them slightly tender by warming it up in boiling water and then blending it to a smooth paste. You can also make it taste better by adding a dash of nutmeg or cardamom powder. Finally you can freeze it in those ice trays with lids on each container. once it is frozen, empty the tray in a ziplock pouch and keep it in the freezer itself. And whenever you need it, take out 3-4 cubes and microwave it till its eatable for the baby. Its a very handy tip when you have a baby. You can similarly freeze other fruit blends like banana, apricots etc. that can even be mixed with milk. Frozen baby foods like these stay healthy for pretty long, but its better if you finish those off within 4-5 days. Why take chances with your cute lil thing?

By: Carol B.

Carol B. — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000

My freezer tip has to do with how to freeze casseroles, enchiladas, lasagne, or anything that has to hold its shape. I don't have enough Pyrex dishes to store extra meals in the freezer, and I don't like using the disposable aluminum trays, so what I learned to do (from the book "Don't Panic, Dinner's In The Freezer")is to line your baking dish with foil first, and then put down a layer of plastic wrap (I think wax paper would work too if you don't like to use plastic wrap). Make sure there is enough of both the wraps to cover your entire dish. Assemble your meal in the baking dish and let it cool. Then, cover with the plastic wrap, trying not to trap air in. Cover with foil. Then "flash freeze" the entire thing for 1-2 hours. Then, simply pop the meal out of the dish, put it in a freezer bag with cooking instructions, and store in your freezer. It saves space and you can still keep a min. number of baking dishes.

By: Ann at mommysecrets

Ann at mommysecrets — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000

Very good ideas and tips - thank you for taking time to share such thorough thoughts!

By: Momoften

Momoften — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000

If you are planning to freeze cooked meat or poultry, try to freeze it in some sort of sauce or liquid. It will greatly extend how long it will keep in the freezer without tasting old. Come visit me!

By: Stacy

Stacy — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000

Have you seen Sue Gregg's Meals in Minutes?

The recipes in there are said to freeze well. I looked at it on her website but have not seen anymore than that.

Just wondering...

By: Pieces

Pieces — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000

Super post! I have found that any kind of pasta in soups gets mushy when frozen--and the broth disappears. Sometimes it is okay--the soup is more like a stew then.

Great links--I'm especially excited about the preparing for baby one with the mixes. I'm done having babies but there are lots of moms I know that could use them in a care package or gift basket.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000

Stacy, I have just been hearing so much about Sue Gregg in the last couple of weeks, so I checked out her site last night. Her stuff looks great- I may just have to try one of her books.

Pieces, I totally agree about the soup becomming stew thing. Sometimes I don't mind, but I'd rather it stay like a nice soup.

And good idea about using the mixes to give to moms! I'll have to do that with the next baby at church (no shortage of new babies at our church!). I've also used the mix for a family that had serious dairy allergies, and then they could just add their dairy substitute of choice.

By: fullheartandhands mama

fullheartandhands mama — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000

Thanks Stephanie! These are some great tips and exactly what I was looking for. I'll be checking out the links soon. For now, I'm off to make a few simple things to freeze.

Thanks for the help.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000

Stacy, good tip about cooking and freezing the meat. I've tried that before, and you're right. It's very convenient!

You're welcome, fullheartandhandsmama. Hope you get that freezer well stocked before baby arrives!

By: Stacy

Stacy — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 07:00:00 +0000

Those are very good ideas.

I am still working on freezer meals so don't have a recipe to share.

One thing I have been doing is to cook all of the ground beef and separate it into bags before freezing. This has cut down on a lot of preparation time. I can thaw in in the fridge for spaghetti, throw it in the crock pot frozen and make soup, etc.

I have also made Pierogis in bulk and they freeze very well.