Freezer Meals
Do you feel like dinner time is a stressful hour in your home? Freezer meals might just solve your problem! I used to go with friends and make a pile of freezer meals for the family and it helped me make it through some rough dinner times when the kids would hang on my legs!There’s a website that gives a complete Once A Month Menu Sampler Here.
The authors were asked: What are your top three favorite recipes in the new Once-a-Month Cookbook Family Favorites—and why?Mary Beth answered:
1. Country-Style Ribs (This slow cooker entrée provides great aroma-therapy!)
2. Corn Soup with Basil, Avocado, and Crab (This delicious soup proves that frozen entrees can be both elegant and delicious.)
3. Penne in Cream Sauce with Sausage (My son Drew keeps asking me when we’ll have this one.)
Mimi answered:
1. Lemon Chicken (It’s so fast and tasty! Great for unexpected guests; it can be on the table in ten minutes.)
2. Uptown Joes (Great for picnics or ballgames in wide-mouth thermos.)
3. Beef Pot Roast (I love this one for its smell. There’s nothing like coming into a house that smells good.)
So here are two of the recipes they recommend:
Lemon Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Mix all ingredients and place in a 1-gallon freezer bag, label, and freeze.
To serve, place in microwave-safe dish and cook in microwave on high power for 5 minutes. Baste the chicken with the juices, turn, and microwave for 3 more minutes. Serves 4.
Country Style Ribs
Salt and pepper to taste
4 1/2 pounds country-style pork loin ribs
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped green bell peppers
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup red wine
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth
2 cups chopped green bell peppers
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup red wine
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
2 cups beef broth
Salt and pepper meat and place in a 1 gallon freezer bag.
Combine all the other ingredients and pour into another 1-gallon bag. Label and freeze, with the two bags taped together.
To serve, thaw the ribs and place into a slow cooker with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours – the whole house will smell wonderful! Serves 8.
Walk with the King!
I find the Once-a-Month spaghetti sauce to be delicious. When our younger granddaughter was born, I went to spend a couple of days helping out when she and her mommy came home from the hospital. I took along my OAM cookbook and did a mini cooking marathon, leaving a bunch of prepared dinners for her in her freezer. She ate them most of the month, and it helped her so very much. Since I am trying to eat more vegetarian meals, I wish they had one for vegetarians.
Is that a picture of your freezer? If so, I am seriously impressed. I love freezer meals…makes a busy time of day so much easier.
Winning this would be great! I have three little boys under 5. A friend of mine recently suggested I try OAMC because she said it really does make life easier. Some other mom friends and I are thinking about getting together at our church to do this, using the church kitchen since it's bigger than our's! Thanks for the giveaway!
cherylannhackett@yahoo.com
This cookbook would be great for me, cooking these days is not the same as before our youngest was born. I have been so much busier these last two months!
Aimee M
Wow – this looks great! The author's answers to your questions totally sold me on the cookbook!
This sounds like such a great idea! Our evenings have suddenly gotten busy, with the kids doing choir and gymnastics at night; and I find myself gravitating towards convenience foods (which aren't cheap or healthy). I'll have to check out that website; and I'm definately going to try the Lemon Chicken recipe. Yum!
I LOVE this idea of once a month cooking!!! This would really make the dinner time rush not so rushed. For some reason even though I am organized and scheduled in everything else throughout our very busy day this is an area I really struggle with! If something woul be waiting in the freezer that would help so much. I cannot wait to try the crockpot rib recipe! Thanks for this great and very helpful blog-keep up the good work!!
frugal_momma@yahoo.com
Sounds delicious! And it looks like it might make that 4-6 pm time slot a bit less angst ridden, for all of us!
Thanks for the contest!
rahastings@juno.com
I would love to win this book! I love freezer cooking but usually do it every two weeks (and not for every meal). I am also pretty impressed with that freezer! That's not how mine looks! 🙂
I have never heard of that book, but my freezer looks like that! I like to stack my ready made foods flat. I usually don't see other people doing it flat like that. I thought I was the only one…lol. I enjoyed my visit. Thanks for the yummy souding recipes.
Ooops…I forgot to leave my email. Thanks for doing the giveaway.
Gr82bhome42@yahoo.com
What a great idea to have freezer meals! I work part time afternoon shifts at the hospital and alot of times my husband and 3 children are on their own for supper. Would be nice to just pull some meals out of the freezer and put them in the crockpot so he wouldn't have to mess with making supper after a long hard day at work! Plus he runs the girls to dance classess, soccer practices, etc. while I am at work. Would definately make life alot easier!
heatherburrier@yahoo.com
I purchased their 1st book 10 yrs ago. I just happened to make the Mexican Stroganoff last night for the freezer. I would love to win the new book. Thanks.
I would love this! A great idea and solution to a lot of frazzled evenings running around trying to put together a good, healthy and hot meal for my kiddos! IT is so hard to plan ahead when you work full-time – some days its good just to be on time (which is hardly ever and when we are – we doing the on time dance!! Ha)
Would LOVE to win this one. A great idea with the busy holiday season approaching. 🙂
What a great idea. I would love to win the book. I wish my freezer looked that good.
dvolkman@bright.net.
The recipes look good and the cookbook sounds great!!! Thanks for the recipes and the giveaway!
I would love, love, love to win this book. I need to get back into making more freezer meals, and I could really use some inspiration!
A co-worker and I are both pregnant and are planning on cooking up some freezer meals so that when the babies come dinners will be simple. Winning this cookbook would be fantastic! 🙂
That rib recipe looks good!
Thanks so much for posting to Crock Pot Wednesday. I really appreciate your participation and great suggestions. This cookbook sounds quite interesting. I used to prepare lots of freezer meals but not so much anymore. It would be a great idea for my daughter, however. Thanks again.
Even though I don't really work outside of the home things can get very busy – and then the kids are home from school 🙂 ! Would be great to win this book and love the website!
dmlemmon@dmcibb.net
Sign me up! I'd love to win because I think I would prepare some freezer meals for friends and family when they have a new baby or surgery, or just need a break from cooking.
This is my first time to your site. I found you through Crockpot Wednesday. Just thought I would say hello and that I would love to win! I've done some freezer meals on my own, but would love to have the book as a guide.
those ribs look really good! These are good recession ideas as well.
I have always wanted to try this … after yet another night of Sloppy Joes, I think my family might just fly to Ohio and hug you if I did.
Perhaps this will inspire me!
Hi Courtney! Can family win the cookbook? I would love to have it! I haven't done much freezer cooking lately and need to get back to it! It is hard work, but it simplifies life on busy days and it saves a lot of money!
Hi, Courtney – TMTT and TT just passed me by this week, but boy was I glad to have a freezer meal in the bag (literally) when I got home at 4:15. 🙂 Such a helpful plan. The photo is great motivation. 🙂
I just found you. It is wonderful. Those recipes sound great, thanks for sharing. If you get the time, stop by and see me .
Oh, I would love to win this! I was just sitting down this morning trying to find some meals to make and throw in the freezer. As I was searching, came across your site – WOW – I am so excited and will be subscribing to your site!!!!! 🙂
I have an entire freezer just waiting to be filled!
I am just getting introduced to the idea of freezer meals. I love it, and am anxious to learn more! 🙂
Oh how I want my freezer to look like that. Please enter me.
lrohler630 at gmail dot com
ooo LOVE this!!! count me in 😉
liz
elizabethmarie83@hotmail.com
You have a beautiful blog. I would love to learn more about Once a Month cooking. Put me in the drawing. Thanks, Shonda
shondaet@hotmail.com
Hello,
I remember a long time ago James Dobson talking about this cookbook and I have always wanted a copy.
Thanks!! Your blog is great.
lise – liseatthelake@yahoo.com
Doing some weekend blog surfing via TMTT! What a great blog you have here!! I have an old version of this book I think! I love all the ideas and recipes in books like this!
Count me in for the giveaway!!
Hoped you don't mind me following you, I would love to keep up with your blog and recipes!!
Oops. I missed the Saturday deadline. LOL!!! That's ok. I'll stop by again soon
Thank you for sharing the pic of your freezer. I've done OAMC for years now….but never put the labels on the ends like that! Why didn't I ever think of it???? I am a single homeschooling mother of 3 that does daycare out of my home. So the whole 3:30-5:30 time is crazy busy with parents picking up and dinner prep. The girls and I spend time together cooking and freezing each month so that after the last child has left for the day….we can all sit down to a quiet peaceful meal together. It's our favorite time of day! LOL Thank you again for sharing! I can't wait to implement!!
Hi Courtney,
I'm requesting your permission to use the freezer photo in this post for an article I've written on HubPages.com. This photo is perfect for my content. You can see my article and how I used and cited your photo here:
http://hubpages.com/_fromblogs/hub/6-Tips-for-Safely-Freezing-Your-Homemade-Foods
Thank you for your consideration. If you would rather I didn't use your photo, let me know and I will remove it from my article.
Best regards,
Sherri
(Sally's Trove on HubPages.com)
hese ideas sound wonderful. Since I’ve been going thru health issues
the idea oh having meals stacked up in the freezer sounds wonderful.
I wish my freezer could look like that.
This is what I’ve been looking for! As a working mom with 2 kids, it’s difficult to try and get dinner ready all while trying to help both kids with homework. This will help take the pressure off! I’m so excited to know about this cookbook!
Thank you for your post and giveaway!
I have been looking for a cook book for make ahead meals! My husband and I were just talking about trying to do this!