Monday, January 12, 2009

make ahead meals

So I think this weekend I'm getting together with friends Saturday and prepping a pile of meals to freeze! Sweet! If you're not doing anything and want to share the fun come on over! (or plan to do the same thing at the same time at your own house!)

Stemmed from talk of creating a ladies club with a few girlfriends for get togethers every month, host chooses activities. Anyway, one friend brought up this store that offers meal prep I guess. (you go there and pay so much and assemble all these meals with their recipes and ingredients). But even the cheapest deal is like $25 per meal (serves 4, so not terrible I guess, but we live on like $10 a day for food for both hubby and I, for all meals, so this is really extravagent). Anyway, I said I had a cookbook that was basically the same thing doing it at your own home (called The Big Cook, good if you want to check it out). So we're going to try a couple things out at my house Saturday. My one friend A, did not feel that $25/meal was too much so was going to probably do that also. And the recipes she suggested for this weekend somewhat show that (stuffed chicken breasts and meatloaf with feta, very good I'm sure, but those would be sort of treat foods for me I think, I was going to freeze chicken with a bunch of italian dressing for marinade ya know?)

So I'm putting the call out there to you folks. Do any of you make ahead and freeze meals? If so what are your favorites? I think we're making meatballs for sure. Plus I've got a bulk pack of steaks that I need to use in something, I could just marinate them or we could do some sort of recipe with them. I don't really want stews or soups or pasta sauces, but more main course meats. If you give me ideas I promise I'll share what we did (recipes included!)

7 comments:

Angela Power said...

I LOVE Smackaroni & Cheese from Eat Shrink & Be Merry and it freezes really well. Basically a healthier version of goulash with cheese and zucchini it's one of my fav's which I HAVE to make and freeze now, thanks! ;-) Another good one from that book that freezes well is Better butter chicken = delish!

eurydice said...

i never make and freeze meals. but i'm cooking for one!

Jen said...

Hm, you stumped me when you said "no stews or soups" - because I was obviously going to say beef stew and chili!!! But you can make all sorts of chicken dishes...like a "taco chicken" with taco seasoning and a bunch of veggies...and fajita filling (with steak or chicken...you could serve it on rice or on a salad or something too)...

I don't know...I will have to think a bit (I second the ones that Angie suggested thoug!!!)

Anonymous said...

Im meatmuffins (tiny meatloafs) & meatballs all the way!
(hmmm. lottsa meat there now that I reflect upon it. who knew?)
I like your idea about doing it with friends...may have to steal that one.
Miz.

Tanya said...

Sweet and sour meatballs (or pork) and rice.

Vegetarian lasagna

Vanessa said...

Sounds like fun!

I'd make meatballs for sure...and maybe some sort of pasta casserole? Oh, and lasagna (veggie lasagna if you want).

Lucas and I freeze a lot of chili for quick meals.

Anonymous said...

I was going to suggest casseroles, which are basically baked stews, so I guess that's out.

I find I don't like that taste of meat that's been cooked and then frozen. Maybe I'm doin' it wrong...