raisingirl
- 22
Freezing Tips for Busy Moms: How to Keep Your Food Fresh and Easy to Prepare
- Thread starter raisingirl
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Discussion Overview
The thread focuses on various tips and experiences related to freezing food, particularly aimed at busy moms. Participants share personal methods for freezing meals and ingredients to simplify meal preparation.
Discussion Character
- Anecdotal
- Opinion-based
Main Points Raised
- One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions freezing parsley in ice cubes to keep it fresh and seeks additional quick tips and easy recipes.
- Another participant shares a resource for freezer meal recipes, suggesting it may be helpful.
- One participant notes that ring fillings can be frozen and easily prepared by scooping onto crescent rolls before baking.
- A participant expresses excitement about preparing a chicken and broccoli mixture to freeze in quart-sized ziplocks for easy dinners.
- One participant describes their process of making and freezing spaghetti sauce and pasta in serving sizes for convenience.
- Another participant shares that they freeze extra meatloaf, chicken, and burritos for quick meal options.
- One participant discusses cooking and freezing hamburger in portions to save time on meals, emphasizing the use of freezer paper to prevent freezer burn.
- A participant mentions finding a file with freezing tips specifically for cookies, hoping it may be useful.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Views differ on specific freezing methods and recipes, with no clear consensus emerging on the best practices for freezing food.
Contextual Notes
Participants share personal experiences and methods for freezing food, reflecting their individual cooking habits and preferences.
Who May Find This Useful
Members of the consultant community, particularly those looking for practical tips on meal preparation and freezing techniques.
Karen Hodge
- 147
Jan,
Try this site. There are lots of recipes for freezer meals. Hope you find it helpful.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/30DayGourmetFreezerCooking/
Try this site. There are lots of recipes for freezer meals. Hope you find it helpful.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/30DayGourmetFreezerCooking/
smspamperedchef
Silver Member
- 1,228
chef_kimmo
Gold Member
- 2,969
Things we do at our house for freezing.
I make my own home spaghetti sauce and always tend to have way too much. We usually make extra pasta too. Take the pasta noodles and save wrap in plastic wrap in what ever you want as your serving sizes. The noodles will microwave very easily.
You can also take the sauce and freeze as well. If you line the Prep bowls with plastic and then fill with the amount of sauce you want for a serving then freeze, you can pop out the sauce once it is frozen.
Another thing to freeze to help with dinners is to make extra meatloaf (make in the mini loaf pan) and freeze the extras.
Chicken is great frozen. Make extra when you cook something you like and freeze the amounts needed for casseroles or to add to a salad.
Burritos are good to freeze too. If you make a roast or have chicken and have extras roll it in tortillas along with cheese, and maybe green chilis. I roll them individually in plastic wrap. I microwave it enough to thaw and then maybe cook a little in skillet so it doesn't get too tough in the microwave.
Along the burrito idea - you can scramble eggs with sausage, left over ham, bacon add some cheese and roll in plastic. You have great breakfasts on the go.
There is a couple ideas we do regularly.
I make my own home spaghetti sauce and always tend to have way too much. We usually make extra pasta too. Take the pasta noodles and save wrap in plastic wrap in what ever you want as your serving sizes. The noodles will microwave very easily.
You can also take the sauce and freeze as well. If you line the Prep bowls with plastic and then fill with the amount of sauce you want for a serving then freeze, you can pop out the sauce once it is frozen.
Another thing to freeze to help with dinners is to make extra meatloaf (make in the mini loaf pan) and freeze the extras.
Chicken is great frozen. Make extra when you cook something you like and freeze the amounts needed for casseroles or to add to a salad.
Burritos are good to freeze too. If you make a roast or have chicken and have extras roll it in tortillas along with cheese, and maybe green chilis. I roll them individually in plastic wrap. I microwave it enough to thaw and then maybe cook a little in skillet so it doesn't get too tough in the microwave.
Along the burrito idea - you can scramble eggs with sausage, left over ham, bacon add some cheese and roll in plastic. You have great breakfasts on the go.
There is a couple ideas we do regularly.
nikked
Gold Member
- 2,129
My freezing tipsCook your hamburger before freezing; separate into 1 lb. portions (approx) and freeze. All you have to do is add it to sauce, helpers, etc. Saves us from eating out many nights!
To avoid freezer burn, use FREEZER PAPER. I separate my meat into portions, and wrap in freezer paper; label the item with a permanent marker, place in ziploc style bag, and freeze. The bags are reuseable without washing, because raw meat has never touched the bag, and I NEVER have freezer burn on my meat.
I thought I might have a file on freezing but I don't...who's gonna make one!?
To avoid freezer burn, use FREEZER PAPER. I separate my meat into portions, and wrap in freezer paper; label the item with a permanent marker, place in ziploc style bag, and freeze. The bags are reuseable without washing, because raw meat has never touched the bag, and I NEVER have freezer burn on my meat.
I thought I might have a file on freezing but I don't...who's gonna make one!?
nikked
Gold Member
- 2,129
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best foods to freeze for busy moms?
Some of the best foods to freeze include cooked meats, soups, stews, casseroles, fruits, and vegetables. These items can be prepared in advance and stored in portion sizes, making meal prep quick and easy during busy weeks.
How can I properly freeze fruits and vegetables?
To freeze fruits and vegetables, wash and cut them into appropriate sizes. Blanch vegetables in boiling water for a few minutes before cooling them in ice water to preserve color and texture. For fruits, consider slicing and tossing them in a little lemon juice to prevent browning. Then, spread them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to airtight containers.
What containers are best for freezing food?
Use airtight containers or freezer bags specifically designed for freezing. Glass containers with airtight lids, heavy-duty plastic freezer bags, and vacuum-sealed bags are excellent options. Ensure that you leave some space for expansion when freezing liquids, and label each container with the date and contents.
How long can I keep food in the freezer?
Most cooked meals can be stored in the freezer for up to three months for optimal quality. However, many items can remain safe to eat beyond that time if kept at a consistent freezing temperature. Always check for signs of freezer burn or off smells before consuming.
What are some quick meal ideas using frozen ingredients?
Quick meal ideas using frozen ingredients include stir-fries with frozen vegetables and pre-cooked chicken, soups made with frozen broth and veggies, or casseroles using frozen meat and pre-cooked rice. You can also blend frozen fruits into smoothies or bake with frozen berries for quick desserts.
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