What's cooking?

The Sandbox General
1

My spouse is babysiting the grandkid a couple days a week. They handle all the food prep, so on those days they’re a bit rushed to get home and prepare the fine cuisine that I’ve become accustomed to.
So I suggested I’ll put together some nice freezer meals for us. I’ll make a bunch, package them in 2-person servings and in the freezer. then when they get home from babysitting, pop in the oven and boom, supper.

Here’s where you come in. We had a chat about what I should be making for this, and both of us had a bunch of ‘naaaaaah, not that’ comments. So, some ideas on what I should be cooking for these freezer meals please.

2

I’ve got a kid on the way so I’ve been prepping a bunch of freezer meals for once baby is born. Some things I’ve done:

  • Enchiladas
  • Cabbage roll casserole
  • Shepherd’s pie
  • Lasagna
  • Quiche
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3

If you’re venturing into breakfast, burritos can freeze well.

Empanadas if you want to get maybe out of your comfort zone with Central/South American food.

Chicken/beef pot pie

Chili/sloppy joe meat

Soups - I find mushrooms to freeze poorly. Noodles will absorb liquid, add more or cook and freeze them separately.

4

I don’t know what the first one is. Last time I made cabbage rolls, well, they tasted fine lol.
The last three have already been discarded as possibilities.

See what I’m up against lol.

5

What about spaghetti? Does that freeze well? Seems like reheating would be tasty.

6

This is the recipe I used:

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7

The sauce does.
The boiling of water, while it might take some time, at least doesn’t require an active brain to read the instructions.

8

This is your problem. If you are going to offer to do something, just do it. Don’t give veto power to someone who’s going to complain. Or, if you do, don’t complain that you’ve given veto power to someone who actually uses it.

Alternative solution - stop expecting dinner at a specific time. This eliminates the “rush” to get home and prepare the fine cuisine.

10

I agree with DTNF: spaghetti sauce freezes well. I wouldn’t freeze that pasta.

If you want frozen pasta, I’d go with something like lasagna or baked ziti

11

I’m guessing my spaghetti sauce recipe of mixing browned ground beef with a jar of Prego isn’t going to cut it.

12

My mom would stuff pasta shells then freeze them. Which reminds me: I need to stuff some shells and freeze them.

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13

Mmmmm……

14

Good choice

15

Ask chat gpt, of course:

Here are some ideas for freezer meals that you can prepare and package in 2-person servings:

  1. Lasagna - Easy to freeze and reheat. You can make a few different varieties, such as meat, vegetable, or spinach and ricotta.

  2. Chicken Pot Pie - Comfort food that freezes well. You can use store-bought pie crusts to save time.

  3. Stuffed Peppers - Fill bell peppers with a mixture of ground meat, rice, and vegetables.

  4. Beef Stew - A hearty meal that reheats beautifully. Include potatoes, carrots, and peas.

  5. Chicken Enchiladas - Roll up tortillas with shredded chicken, cheese, and enchilada sauce. Freeze in individual portions.

  6. Chili - A classic dish that freezes well. Make a large batch and freeze in 2-person portions.

  7. Baked Ziti - Pasta with marinara sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and ground meat or sausage.

  8. Shepherd’s Pie - Ground meat with vegetables and mashed potatoes on top.

  9. Quiche - Great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Fill with your favorite ingredients like ham, cheese, and spinach.

  10. Teriyaki Chicken and Rice - Marinated chicken with rice and vegetables.

  11. Pulled Pork - Slow-cooked pork shoulder that can be served with buns and coleslaw.

  12. Casseroles - Like tuna noodle casserole or chicken and broccoli casserole.

These dishes should reheat well and provide a variety of flavors and textures to keep things interesting.

16

The gf lasagna that I posted in page 9 of the AO recipe book which has been reprinted in the first page of the GoA recipe book has a link to a gf lasagna recipe that freezes well…if you use regular old gluten noodles then I make no guarantee

17

My yeast for dough batch #1 of 2 is proofing beautifully.

The couple who introduced Jaspess II and me is getting married themselves. We’re having them over for dinner after they finish some fittings and such tasks, so I’ve been commissioned to make two homemade pizzas from scratch like I do. (One margherita, one pesto chicken.)

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18

Both batches are rising, margherita sauce is simmering. Just need Jaspess to come home with the basil so I can make the pesto sauce. (Out in the boonies finer things like specific herbs can be hard to come by, especially if you want them to also be good.)

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19

Basil thrives with minimal attention here. I like to plant some in the spring here as I can go snip what I need anytime I want until fall.

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20

Yesterday, i reversed-seared several Spencer’s (aka boneless ribeye’s) for an intimate get-together ( not a party!) so tonight I’ll resear the last one.
Spent $300+ on the Spencers and scottish salmon. I hope everyone enjoyed it.