The Stroganoff

We ate the stroganoff last night and it was so delicious...and all my kids ate it...it is gone except for one serving which I am gonna eat for lunch one day...
Thanks Marianne
Also the lasagna...I figured out that it would take a lot longer when Collette said she had to cook it for 2 hours after letting it stay out of the freezer all night...oops=)

Lasagna... worth the wait!

I have a similar story to Shauna's... We had the lasagna last night and it was delicious!! Todd especially LOVED it! But, it took almost three hours to cook. I set it out of the freezer for about 6 hours before I started to bake it. Then I put it in the oven on 375 for about an hour and a half and it was still icy in the middle. So, I turned the oven up to 400 and cooked it for almost another hour and a half. Altogether it took almost 3 hours to bake all the way through. But, like I said, it was worth it because it was delicious! If I may make a suggestion... try thawing it over night (I am sure it will still be partially frozen, but better than frozen solid) before baking and then cook it on 400 for at least one and a half hours... let us know how it goes. Thanks Aften for the delicious meal!

Lasagna rolls cooking time

I tried these out last night and Scott, Jeffrey and I really like them! (It's hard to please the twins right now, they are a little picky.) I wanted to let everyone know that after cooking it for 45 minutes at 350 degrees, it was still cold in the middle. I have actually had this problem before using the foil pans. Just plan on having time to cook it longer and check to see when it is done. I ended up having to pull it out and then I just heated mine and Scott's in the microwave for a little bit because we were ready to eat. We really enjoyed it and we still have some for leftovers! Thanks Aften!

Stroganoff is a hit!

Okay so I haven't gotten to try it yet but Casey LOVED it! He is a hard pleaser too! The kids all ate it and they said it was yummy! Can't wait for lunch tomorrow so I can try it! I had to work tonight at the dance studio so that is why I haven't eaten it yet. And thanks for the compliment Chansey!

Yummy Penne!

Tonight we had the Creamy Penne... It was very good. Thanks Amy! Chansey said "this is the best meal I have ever had!" I thought you would really appreciate that since you know how she is... after having her in Primary. After she said that, I thought to myself... "What about all of the meals I have been making for the last 8 years"....?! :)

We Ate 2

Ok, so last night we ate the BBQ beef, thanks Shauna...yum, I didn't add any water and it was yummy...all of it all gone...tonight we ate the pork chops from Jane, yum, all gone as well. Those were 2 very good last minute meals. I heat them up out of the freezer...the pork chops I defrosted in the microwave for a bit, but all turned out so yummy...no complaints=)
Also if any of you do the Lasagna roll ups, you have to cook them for probably 1-2 hours depending on how frozen they are still...thanks

Recipes?

So I was thinking I want to start some kind of way for us to share our recipes. I'm not sure the best way to do this so if you have any suggestions please let me know. I was thinking everyone could send them as a word attachment on an e-mail and I could compile them into one document and then send it back to everyone after every month. This way we will have a nice selection of freezer meal recipes of our very own! What do you all think? Collette, you are they only e-mail I don't have yet. My e-mail is shaunaab@gmail.com.

Add water to the BBQ Beef!

Hey everyone! I'm so glad that we are doing this because last night I needed an easy meal, so we ate the BBQ beef sandwiches that I made. I forgot to put in the instructions to add some water when you heat the meat up in a saucepan. This will help create steam while heating up. You can also heat the meat up in the microwave, but I would add a little bit of water and make sure to cover it because it will make a mess of your microwave! My family liked it, but the twins and Jeffrey wanted it with the meat on the side tonight. I don't really know what was too different, but they ate it! Enjoy!

Beef Stroganoff - Revised

After realizing that my original plan for the stroganoff was rediculous and really more work for you than necessary, I changed the way I delivered it. It's all prepared and ready to cook. Now, you don't have to open cans, or measure or mix. Just dump the stroganoff in your crock pot and let it cook for most of the day. The meat is raw so it will take 4-6 hours to cook on low (or in a pot on the stove on low) See my first "stroganoff" post for further info and serving directions...

And thank you for being patient. I am sorry it took me so long to get my meals to you. I still have Colette's and Sarah's because you gals weren't home when I came by today. But, I will call tomorrow and try to come by then.

Also, has anyone started eating their meals yet? If so, post a comment on the blog, I want to hear what everyone thinks! Don't be afraid... :)

Take a Deep Breath

Marianne you are fine. Don't stress, it is okay. Just make it when you can and get it to us but don't go crazy!

Please forgive me!

Hello again... I am writing this to apologize for not getting your meals to you today. The day definately did not go as I planned. After getting back into town last night, I had more to do today than I could possible get done. On top of that, I had to make an extra trip to the store today... I was missing something to make my meal. Also, I realized that the way I was originally going to give you your stroganoff was dumb... I decided I needed to assemble it all myself so that it would make it easier for you to prepare when you are ready to eat it. What was I thinking?! I have no idea... Anyway, I am sorry, I really was an airhead this time. I hope I didn't inconvenience anyone too much. I will DEFINATELY bring everyone's food by tomorrow! I hope you love it!

SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN

My meal is ready and frozen solid so I will try to get ahold of each of you to bring them around today. Please make sure you look at directions beforehand, so you don't end up with mushy veggies. Thanks!

DIRECTIONS:

Rice: Add to 3 cups boiling water and simmer on low for 20 minutes.
Sweet & Sour Chicken: Let bag thaw in the fridge overnight. The veggies (onions, green peppers, carrots)are currently "crisp," just barely cooked, like they serve it in the Chinese restaurants. If you like your veggies like that, then just reheat the thawed contents in either the microwave or on the stove for a couple of minutes until heated through (the chicken is already fully cooked). However, we like the veggies soft so if you prefer them like this, you'll want to actually COOK it on the stove for a good 10-15 minutes or until veggies start to change color to a more dull green. Serve on top of rice and go easy on the sauce for kids....a little flavor goes a long way. ENJOY! (note: I left the veggie pieces large so they could be easily picked out for children who may be "allergic" to vegetables!)

I am back!

Hi everyone... I was out of town until last night, so I just got caught up on all that went on while I was gone. I am sorry we couldn't meet today, but hopefully we will be able to do something fun next month. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know... I will be bringing my meal around to everyone's houses today. So, don't come to me, I'll come to you. :) And, I'll pick up my meal from you at the same time. K? Oh, and by the way, thanks Amy for already dropping off my meal... Sorry I didn't have yours ready yet. See you all soon!

I am so excited!

I am done too so I think I will just run my meals around in the morning.

Bring it On!

K girls my meals are done also. I was thinking of making the rounds in the a.m. Or maybe we could all be at someones house around the same time if most of us are done. You could all stop by mine, Aftens or Janes, since we all live in the same neighborhood and just drop them off say tommorrow around 9am or so? If not then I will just bring mine around probably. K let me know. Can't wait to taste the goodness.

Holy Pork!!

Hello girls. I have a pork cloud in my house. Shauna, I think Gold Canyon Candles should come out with a new scent: Fiesta Pork, a savory scent with a hint of green chilis, onions and fresh ground pepper. Anyways, I am finally done with my meal, when shall we distribute???

I am finished...

ok so this is the scoop, it took me about 6 hours of cooking, stirring, frying, mixing, shopping, assembling and cleaning, but I got all the meals in the freezer...Collette has her dinner already, and I am really tired...but it was actually really fun, so let me know when I can drop your dinner by...I am thinking in the Am on Monday Morning before people leave for their BBQ's if you are BBQing...what you think?

Hey guys, I'm the last one the learn the "blogging thing" (thanks to Aften!)
So I'm thinking of either sweet and sour chicken or chicken enchiladas. If anyone has a preference, please let me know.

Chicken Pot Pie

Hey Girlies, I am really excited about this so thanks for the invite. I am a little computer challenged so Aften had to help me set up this blog thing. Anyways, I am making a chicken pot pie that is really yummy and will be no assembly required. My kids like the potatoes and carrots in this dish and it is enough to fill my husband belly too! Just take out of the freezer the night before or the morning of. Then bake at 350 for about an hour. I will try to do mine this weekend and have them done by Tuesday at noon.

Tuesday

Maybe for this month we just need to run our meals around. You will need to make your meals ahead of time so they are frozen. I finished mine today. We need to have them done by Tuesday because Jane is leaving out of town on Wednesday so make sure to take yours to her before then! Lucky girl. So Marianne I really appreciate you offering your house up and wanting to have a get together but I think it was just me giving everyone really short notice. Next months will be planned well in advance. So is everyone okay with just taking your meals around this time? Sorry ladies!

Tuesday Meeting

I am thinking that Tuesday will be really hard for me and also Collette...we have big days on Monday and this whole weekend is crazy, is there a different day to meet and can we meet at noon ish...like maybe Wednesday?I dunno, I keep thinking that I have to make all the food the day we meet, but I guess I can make it today or tomorrow and freeze it and then I can just send it on its way to you all...ok so sometimes I have to sit down and really think things through before I get it...I color my hair blond for a reason=) anyway, Tuesday won't work for me...but I guess if everyone else can I can just drop stuff off...ok

Creamy Penne

This dish is really easy. I will give you the sauce that goes on your Penne. And a box of Penne Pasta to make the day of. All you will need to do is take the bag out probably the night before and put it in your fridge. Then the next day just pour it into a pot and warm it up. If the sauce is too thick you can add alittle milk to it to make it the right consistancy. Then just spoon it over the pasta. The sauce is made up mostly of cheeses and has broccoli in it so you get your veggies too!
This would be good with Breadsticks and a salad!
Can I just add I am so excited that all of you agreed to do this! I have wanted to do it for a long time and I'm so glad we are!! See next Tuesday!

Hawaiian Pork Chops

These pork chops are best grilled but also can be broiled. The pork chops will marinate in a combo of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, water, and brown sugar. I use a device called a jaccard to tenderize the meat and really infuse the marinade. The chops should be taken out a day or two before to thaw in the fridge. When you are ready to eat, toss the marinade in the garbage and then cook the pork to perfection. I usually serve this meal (and usually about two meals a week) with grilled sweet potato fries. I slice sweet potatoes into chunky fry-shaped slices (you can decide skin or no skin), toss them in olive oil and sprinkle them with kosher salt then grill. Corn-on-the-cob could round out the meal. If you have a grill, this means no using the oven in 100+ heat!

BBQ Beef Sandwiches

I'm am going to do BBQ beef sandwiches which will be made from shredded chuck roast mixed with BBQ sauce (probably Bulls Eye brand). I will give everyone a Ziploc of the BBQ meat to put in the freezer and some rolls (you can freeze those too!). All you will need to do is thaw the meat and rolls. Heat up the meat in a sauce pan when you are ready to eat, cut the rolls in half and serve! I love these with ambrosia (pineapple chunks, Mandarin oranges, grapes, mini marshmallows, 1 c. sour cream), chips, fresh fruit, pasta salad, etc. I haven't made these in awhile, but I love them and hope you all do too!

Lasagna roll-ups

Pasta, red sauce, and white sauce, with italian sausage, ricotta cheese, mozzerella cheese, parmesan cheese....YUM...need I say more...take it out of the freezer in the morning and put it in the oven when you want at 350, 45 minutes. Salad and Italian bread.

When will we get together?

My Freezer Meal

The meal I am planning on is pork tacos. My mom and I were laughing that we should call it "Pork Ole" or maybe even "Fiesta Pork." Regardless of its name, it is really tasty. My plan is to give each of the meat in a freezer bag and a box of taco shells. The meat is so flavorful and tasty, the only suggestions I can make is to garnish with fresh stuff like lettuce, tomatoes, maybe some sour cream, cheese and guacamole. As far as what to serve with it......ummmm what do you usually eat with tacos. Since it is getting hot outside, having hot steamed veggies doesn't appeal to me. We love fresh salads or I just cut up bell peppers, cucumbers and the kids love to dip them in ranch. I hope you all like it as much as we do.

Beef Stroganoff

For this month, I will be making beef stroganoff. Here are the directions...

Put the following ingredients into your crockpot in the morning on the day you want to eat the meal:

Meat (already cut and frozen), Cream of Mushroom Soup, Mushrooms (optional), Onion Soup Mix, & 1 cup of milk (not provided)

Stir everything together and let it cook on low for at least 5-6 hours. The longer you let it cook, the more tender the meat will be. If you start to cook the meal later in the day, you can cook it on high for 2 hours and then low for 1-2 additional hours or until desired doneness. Don't forget to stir the stroganoff throughout the day while it is cooking.
When you are almost ready to eat, cook the noodles and turn the crockpot off and stir in the sour cream until the stroganoff is creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste. You can mix the noodles in or keep them seperate, whatever you prefer.
Serving Suggestion: Our family loves to eat this meal with corn, rolls and a green salad with italian dressing. The flavors really compliment each other. Also, if you have kids who are picky (like I do) or ones who don't eat meat well, you can give them the noodles plain or with the sauce only.
I hope you love this meal as much as we do!

I'm So Excited!

I can't wait to get our "Freezer Meal Group" started. I think this is such an awesome idea - Thanks Amy for putting it together! I am excited to meet with everyone next week and do our first exchange. I got several positive responses when I suggested meeting at my house, so let's do that...

Let's meet at 11:00 on Tuesday May 27. Bring your kids and the meals you prepared for everyone and we can sit around and chat and let the kids play until they are worn out. Also, if you want to bring something to share (like 'Ladies Who Lunch') we can eat lunch together too! If this time doesn't work for anyone, then let us know and we can figure out how to get our meal from you.

I can't wait to see everyone!