March/April meals

March seemed to be a VERY busy month for everyone and so we didn't exactly have the time to do the meals that month. I know, personally, that we really missed it! We did finally get together this last Friday. Thank you Mom and Marcy for doing the shopping!

I thought it went really well. We only made 7 different meals this time but we were able to split them into smaller meals. By the way, from now on, if you find the meals are too big, put that on the blog so we know to split them into smaller bags for next time!

Below is listed the different meals we had this time. Feel free to comment as you go! See you next month!

Burrito's

This was our new one for the month. What did everyone think? How did they cook for everyone? Did you enjoy them? What would you do different next time? Do you want to make these again? How many meals did they make?

Green Bean Chili

Did you try it with the rice? Just mix the rice right in and you will be surprised at how great it is. Everyone still like this one?

Nicole's Speghetti

Was it as good as usual? Anyone getting bored of it yet? Want to still have it next month?

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

These are great because they are a quick microwave dinner. What did everyone think this month? Mom, you got all the extra pineapple, was it too much?

Green Enchiladas

This seems to be a family favorite. It is very easy for us to make. Do you want to make it again next month? Everyone still happy with it?

Ham and Cheesy Potatoe's

We skipped this last month. We decided to switch it month to month with the cream cheese chicken. So how was it? Do we want to do it again next month or switch it for the cream cheese? By spliting it in half, did everyone still have enough for their dinners?

Beef Stew

This is a new one. It was a little time consuming to make but it smelt delicious. Let us know what you thought of it! Also, what did you think of the potatoes? How did they do in your freezer? Were there any problems with them?

Beef Stew

2 pounds stew meat
5 carrots, sliced
1 onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, sliced
3 potatoes, chopped
1 quart stewed tomatoes
1 whole clove
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon peppers

Place all ingredients in crock pot. Stir. Cover. Cook on low 10 hours or high for 5 hours.

Place in a freezer bag.

To serve: Thaw. Heat up. Serve with cornbread or sourdough bread.

IT'S TIME!

Alright ladies (and BJ this time!) are we ready? Next week is coming up fast. I believe the plan is next Wednesday, the 25th at Mom's house, usually around 9am.

We are looking for any new meal ideas you might have or want to try this time. Also, what ones would you like to see back again this time. Mom and I do the shopping on Tuesday so we need recipes and ingredients before then to be able to get all that we need too. Let me know ASAP!

2/09

Friday the 13th baking day!!

We had a lot of fun, as usual! We made 9 different dishes. It tooks us from 9:30 am to 4 pm. That is a little longer then we like. Next time we need to either only do 8 dishes or maybe do different dishes. Our goal is to be done about 3pm. The picture above is Blair making the pizza dough. She had never made it before and, dispite some technical difficulties, she did a great job. We forgot to warn her to either oil or flour her fingers before empting the bowl, opps! Sorry Blair, but it makes for a great picture!

Mom was our can girl this month. She opened most of the cans. Way to go Mom!

This is a shot of Blair stiring something!

Christy was at her usual post, after making some dishes, of labling and packaging each dish as it finished.

This is a good action shot of Marcy pouring the pineapple juice.

2/09

Blair's Mac and Cheese Bake

First time making this one!

8 oz dried macaroni

6 slices white sandwich bread

unsalted butter

1/4 cup yellow onion, diced

1/4 cup all purpose flour

3 cups whole milk

2 oz fontina cheese

3 oz gruyere cheese

6 oz extra-sharp white cheddar cheese

2 oz parmigiano - reggiano cheese

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

Cook pasta so that ouside is cooked but inside is underdone. Make bread crumbs with bread and butter (tear bread into tiny pieces and coat evenly with butter).

Cheese sauce: melt 3 tablespoons butter in 4 quart pot over medium heat, add onion and cook about 5 minutes (until translucent). Whisk in flour and cook until bubbling, not browing. Add milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer until thickened (about 4 minutes). Add fontina, 2/3 cup gruyere, 1 2/3 cup cheddar, 1/2 cup parmigiano-Reggiano. Stir until completely melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper, nutmeg and cayanne.

Assemble: mix noodles and sauce. Place in baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese that is left and top with bread crumbs.

To Freeze: We placed it in a foil, throw away, baking dish. Topped with 2 layers of foil. We did not add bread crumbs. We left that up to each person to make and add on their own so they wouldn't get too soggy.

To Serve: Thaw. Bake 375 degreese for 20 to 25 minutes covered. Remove cover and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until bread crumbs are browned or crispy.

2/09

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This is a new one. How did you like the pre-packed meatballs?

2 cans (8 1/4 oz) pineapple chunks (or tidbits)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 - 1/2 green pepper - cut up and saute

Drain pineapple - save juice - add enough water to juice to make 1 1/3 cup liquid. Combine liquid, brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar and soy sauce. Microwave on high 8 to 10 minutes, stirring twice with wisk, until mixture is thick and glossy.

To Serve: Cook meatballs - add pineapple, green pepper and sauce. Cook in microwave for 3 to 4 minutes. Serve over rice.

Freezer directions: We bought pre cooked meatballs, divided them and put them in quart baggies. We put sauce and veggies together and into a quart baggie. We made rice and put into a quart baggie. Placed all baggies into a gallon freezer bag.

2/09

Christy's Tortillini Soup

This is a new one. What did you think? Mom got a great deal on the tortillini's!

1 pound ground beef

3 1/2 cups water

1 can diced tomatoes (don't drain)

1 can condensed French Onion Soup (we are thinking next time of using dry package french onion soup and make your self because it is cheaper. Next time we will try that)

1 package frozen cut green beans (9oz)

1 package cheese tortellini (9oz)

1 zucchini chopped

1 teaspoon basil

Cook beef, drain. Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes.

Freezer directions: We did not add tortellini when preparing. We just put on the package to add tortellini and cook for 5 minutes. We packaged in containers with tight lids. We found there was too much liquid to freeze. We are going to lessen the water next time and add water to it when we serve it.

2/09

Christy's Green Bean Chili

Same as last time except we added 2 cans of black beans. What do you think? Do you like the black beans? Would you like more beans? Different beans?

2/09

Hawaiin Chicken

Had last month. Is there enough chicken this time? Is there enough sauce? Was there enough for your whole family?

2/09

Susan's Green Enchiladas

These were good last time. Did we add enough cheese this time? Was 10 enough?

2/09

Pizza Toppings

Alright girls, do we dare try pizza crusts again? Bread next time? Are there any other toppings you would like to try? Let it be known!

2/09

Cream Cheese Chicken

Always yummy. We usually have this one every time. Are we sick of it yet or would you like to have it again next month. Let me know once you've had it!

2/09

Nicole's Speghetti

Made the same as last time. Hope you enjoy!

Time Again!

A New Month, A New Meal!

So, we are getting close to February and it is time to schedule a new frozen dinner day. Post what days work for you and we will try to coordinate. Also, be thinking about the meals we've had and the meals you want to try for this next month!

Mom pointed out that I forgot the green enchiladas. I don't have the recipe, Mom can you add it in the comments, but feel free to comment about it!!

Green Enchiladas

If I have forgotten any recipes, please let me know and I will add them. Thanks!

Butternut Squash

I don't have the recipe but I wanted you to be able to comment!

Nicole's Spaghetti

2 cans crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)

2 cans stewed tomatoes (28 ounces)

1 can tomatoes with garlic (14 ounces)

2 cans tomatoes Italian (14 ounces)

2 big cubes of beef stock (no water added)

1 package Italian Season mix

1 pound ground beef

1 pound mild/medium Itialian Sausage

Garlic

1 smal onion chopped

OPTIONAL:

mushrooms

green peppers

corn

any veggies desired

Brown beef and sausage. Add onion, garlic and veggies as cooking to soften.

Put all ingredients in crock pot. Heat for 2 hours. Let cool. Place in Freezer bag.

TO SERVE: Thaw. Place in crock pot. Simmer on low all day or high for a couple of hours. Serve over noodles.

Green Bean Chili

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) French-style green beans, drained

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Mexican stewed tomatoes

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1/2 cup salsa

1 Tablespoon chili powder

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

In large sauce pan cook beef, green peppers, onion and garlic ove medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 30 min or until heated through. Place in freezer bag.

TO SERVE: Thaw, heat, serve with bread or in bread bowl.

PIZZA

Pizza topings desired in separate, small baggies. Some choices:

shredded cheese

olives

pepperoni (regular or turkey)

ham

pineapple

sauce

sausage

mushrooms

green peppers

Put all small baggies in one freezer bag and freeze.

TO SERVE: Make pizza dough. Use desired toppings. Bake according to pizza dough instructions. Enjoy. (next time we might have dough included!)

Sarah McKay's Whole Wheat Bread (or Half Wheat/Half White)

BLEND:

9 cups whole wheat flour

3 Tablespoons yeast

THEN ADD:

6 1/3 cups very warm water

Blend 1 minute. Turn off mixer and cover for 10-13 min. to sponge. Should rise to about double.

Make 1 cup of oatmeal while waiting for sponge to rise. (about 1 cup boiling water to 2/3 cup oatmeal--instant or regular)

AFTER SPONGING ADD:

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup honey

1 1/2 Tablespoons salt

1 cup freshly cooked oatmeal

2 heapings tablespoon Vital Wheat Gluten

RUN MIXER, THEN ADD:

6 cups flour, 1 cup at a time. (If making 1/2 wheat, 1/2 white bread, use white flour at this step) Flour should be added until the dough starts to pull away from the side of the bowl. Knead for 7 minutes.

FINALLY:

Preheat oven to warm/lowest setting (turn on oven for about 5 min, then turn off)

With oiled hands, turn dough out onto oiled counter. Divide and gently shape into 6 loaves. Spray Pam in your 8" x 4" loaf pans and place loaves in pans.

Place pans into warm oven. Let rise for about 20-25 minutes. Leaving loaves in the oven, turn on the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 25 min. Remove from oven. Let stand 5 min. Remove loaves from pans and place on cooling racks. Cool completely before packaging.

Cheesy Ham and Potatoes

1 bag frozen shredded hash browns (2 pound bag)

1/2 cup minced onion

2 cans cream of celery soup

1 cream cheese (8-ounce)

1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded

1 1/2 cups cubed ham chunks

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Soften cream cheese and cream together with soup. Stir in onions, ham, cheese and pepper. Break apart hash browns. Gently stir into cheese mixture. Place in gallon freezer bag.

TO SERVE: Thaw. Place in greased baking dish. Bake covered for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Uncover and top with cheese. Return to oven until cheese is melted.

Hawaiian Chicken

6 boneless skinless chicken pieces

1 package dry onion soup mix

1 cup pineapple apricot jam

1 cup russian salad dressing

Arrange chicken in greased baking dish. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake 45 min. at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Place in freezer bag.

TO SERVE: Thaw. Heat. Serve with rice.

This was our tester meal. What did you think?

Cream Cheese Chicken

1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix

1 stick butter or margarine (1/2 cup)

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1" strips)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cream cheese (8-ounce)

Turn crock pot on High. Place butter in crock pot. When melted, add Italian salad dressing mix, mix well. Add chicken and stir. Cover and cook for 2 hours. Remove chicken to plate to cool. Add cream of chicken soup and cream cheese to pot. Stir to melt and mix well until smooth and creamy. Remove sauce from crock pot and let cool. Place chicken and sauce into gallon freezer bags.

TO SERVE: Thaw. Heat. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or hot buttered noodles.

WELCOME FAMILY!

Our blog will post monthly, as we have our dinner prep days. I will list each dinner as a separate post. As you eat your frozen dinner's then get on the blog and post your comments on the specific meal you ate. We will rate them and determine which ones to continue doing the following month and which to not do. Be honest, we won't get our feelings hurt. Try everything so we can get good feed back.

I am also including the recipe with each entry so that Connie, who can't be close, can try them if she wants to and comment on them also. If you have other friends who might want to try it, go ahead!

I don't actually have the recipe's yet from Mom so I will post each menu item tomorrow after I go to her house. Thanks everyone.