Planning Ahead And Stocking The Freezer

When cold weather approaches, and the weekend skies are grey, it’s days like this that I love to stay inside with a warm cozy fire and cook.

And I was doing just that this past weekend — planning ahead and cooking; stocking our freezer for those haired weeknights where the kid’s sports are demanding, and cooking time is limited.

It’s amazing how many recipes can be prepared in one day, and I’m excited to share with you some new recipes as well as my old standbys that I was able to cook over the weekend and stock in our freezer.

I stared with my Ultimate Chili.  Incredibly easy to make, it’s a surprising secret ingredient that makes this recipe so delicious.  And that secret ingredient is a good Ale.  It’s this, a good Ale, that adds such depth of flavor to this chili, and will be your go to chili.  And the best part is, this chili gets better as it ages.  Freeze it for up to 3 months and you’re good to go.  I pour the chili in to gallon freezer bags for easier storage.  Lie the bags flat on a baking sheet, and flash freeze them for one hour.  Remove the baking sheet and stack the bags.  A lot of food in a small space.  All the more room for more recipes to add to your freezer.  Click here for the Ultimate Chili recipe.

Bring on the sauce!  Marinara sauce that is!

This may be the quickest marinara sauce that you have ever cooked.  The Be Fed Marinara Sauce is a staple for your freezer and is so versatile.  Top any and all pastas with this marinara sauce, along with breaded chicken and egg plant.  Need a warm dip for that delicious garlic bread?  The Be Fed Marinara has you covered.  Mmm-Mmm-Good!  Click here for the Be Fed Marinara recipe.

It’s not just dinners where I need some help with my time.  The day starts early, and let’s face it, sometimes I hit snooze a few too many times.  Knowing it so important to eat a good breakfast, I always like to make sure Mac and Caroline are well taken care of before they board their bus, and head off for a good education.  Bring on the quiche!

Quiche can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner, and no matter which meal it may be,  I love to make a Classic Quiche or four, and freeze them.  Quiche is like soups, or omelets;  you can add just about anything to the egg and cheese mixture and its almost a guarantee that your quiche will be delicious.  Click here for the Classic Quiche recipe.

Here are some additional recipes that I made ahead and stocked in the freezer this weekend:

Naturally, Mac-n-Cheese.   If I don’t have this stocked in the freezer, then I’m in deep trouble. We enjoy this recipe at least twice a month.

Same goes for Chicken Pot Pies.  My recipe makes between 6-8 individual chicken pot pies.  Serve along side a green salad and you have a very well-balanced meal.  I’ve even been known to serve these savory pot pies when Sean and I entertain.  And when that happens, I become a hero.  So, make these Chicken Pot Pies!

And one last recipe that I made over the weekend is my Pumpkin Waffles.  Mac and Caroline love these waffles.  Freeze each in separate zip lock freezer bags and pull out of your freezer as needed, and toast in your toaster or in your oven.  Quick, easy and delicious.

Though I dedicated an entire day to cooking, my freezer is now stocked and I have bought myself some time during the week.  And not only am I stocked up, but this allows me good piece of mind.

Give yourself good piece of mind.  You deserve it.  Even if you don’t have time to make all that I have made, you owe it to yourself to make two or three.  You’ll feel so rewarded and happy that you did!