Favorite freezer meals

[Mama*Kim]

I'm in a massive dinner rut and am due to restock my freezer meal stash. Not a good combo. What are some of your favorite freezer meals? Extra points for vegetarian ideas.

[Treylen]

Soups and chilis are great reheated. My faves are cream of broccoli, hearty Brazilian, and chips and salsa. I've also had good luck with veggies and beans in an Indian curry sauce, veggies and fake-chicken strips in a Thai-style peanut curry, and even enchiladas (reheated in the oven). The only things I've made that haven't come out great after freezing are rice and tofu dishes. (I cook all vegan btw).

[mel j]

I've got sweet potato black bean chili and lentil soup in my freezer right now - was also going to suggest soups and chilis. I put mashed potatoes in the freezer, too.

I'm curious about your cream of broccoli recipe, Treylen

Will be watching this thread b/c I'm trying to get into freezer cooking...

[Kelsey5783]

You knowing the "nesting" phase where people say you clean your house top to bottom? Well, I hate to clean but love to cook. so when I nested I had fun cooking and freezing meals to enjoy after my DS was born. I was inspired by these recipes

http://www.marthastewart.com/274277/...y-foods#261437

my DH's favorite was the spinach pie and the empanadas. I also froze lasagna, macaroni and cheese, mole enchiladas, tomato and butternut squash soup and the chicken sundried tomate penne. Yum!

[Queen_Celeste]

I do a lot of slow cooker freezer meals. They require little effort day of, and most of them I can even cook from frozen. Here are the meat free ones I have tried or plan on trying. Some of these are not written for the freezer, so I will note any modifications you need to freeze them.

Quiona Chili http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/...noa-chili.html
In labeled gallon size freezer bag put everything except chicken stock and quiona. When you go to cook it, add 2 c vegetable broth (or chicken broth if you are just meat free not vegetarian) and the 1 c rinsed quiona. Cook the same as directions.

Paula Dean Crockpot Potato Soup http://topfoodpics.com/?p=4076
Also uses a gallon size freezer bag. Add everything except chicken broth. (I usually don't add black pepper because it will come out stronger tasting when frozen and cooked.) Then when you cook it, dump in frozen add your broth. Cook until you add cream cheese. We don't like ours as thick so we use a can of evap. milk instead of cream cheese.

Santa Fe chicken This one I made with meat, and I plan on making again without meat. http://www.chef-in-training.com/2011...ta-fe-chicken/
Don't add chicken. Double the beans and corn. I used green onions instead of scallions because they are easier to find. Then you can serve with rice like a burrito bowl or in burritos

[Treylen]

Originally Posted by mel j I'm curious about your cream of broccoli recipe, Treylen

It's super quick and easy and tastes much more complex than it really is. It's roughly about 6-8 cups of broccoli cooked in about 6-8 cups of vegetable broth with one peeled and chopped golden potato. Cook until it's soft enough to blend. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Add 1 cup unsweetened soymilk, warm up (don't boil after adding milk) and season to taste.

[Treylen]

Love the quinoa chili idea!

[MrsJordan85]

subbing

[judyjudyjudy]

This is a good idea. I feel so apprehensive because I worry that I will forget about the frozen meal or that it won't taste very good. I guess I need to do some test runs before I judge.

[Treylen]

I label everything with what it is and an expiration date of 3 months after it's cooked. Helps!