Freezer Meal

Instant Pot Freezer Meals: Chicken Paprikas

Dear Sis,

I’m so glad I had this in the freezer during your visit. It can be an extra challenge to get dinner on the table in time when I have company. Its always nice to have a few freezer meals set aside for these hectic times:)

Chicken Paprikas

Serves 4-6

Prep Ingredients:

2 lb. chicken thighs cubed

1 onion, chopped

2 T paprika

2 T tomato paste

1 gal freezer bag

Serving Day Ingredients:

1 c chicken stock

1/2 c sour cream

8-12 oz egg noodles (prepared and buttered)

Prep Instructions:

  1. Date, label, and copy serving day instructions onto freezer bag with a permanent marker.
  2. Combine all ingredients in prepared freezer bag. Freeze for later use.

Serving Day Instructions:

  1. Add stock and freezer meal to instant pot.
  2. Pressure cook 8 minutes. Natural release 10 minutes. Quick release remaining pressure.
  3. Simmer to reduce sauce to desired thickness. Stir in sour cream.
  4. Serve over buttered noodles. 

Pairing Ideas: simple side salads and possibly fresh dinner rolls.

Back to the Instant Pot Freezer Meal Directory

Dinner is served!

Love,

b

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Instant Pot Freezer Meals – Minced Beef Stroganoff

Dear Sis,

Tonight we tried another instant pot freezer meal. This one is pretty yummy like all the rest! I’m on a winning streak.

Minced Beef Stroganoff

b
Instant Pot Freezer Meal
Print Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Preparation Ingredients

  • 1 (1-gal) freezer bag
  • 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
  • 1 lb. mushrooms diced
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 T avocado oil
  • 2 T parsley flakes
  • 1 T Worcestersire sauce
  • 2 t minced garlic
  • 1/2 t thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste

Serving Day Ingredients

  • 1 (8 oz.) tub sour cream
  • 1/2 c beef stock
  • 1/2 c red cooking wine
  • 1 (12 oz.) pkg. egg noodles

Instructions
 

Preparation Instructions

  • Date and lable freezer bag.
  • Heat 1 T oil overmeidum heat. Brown beef, drain if needed. Cool on a plate.
  • Heat another T of oil. Saute mushrooms, onion, and garlic until excess moisture is cooked off mushrooms. Pour onto a plate to cool.
  • Combine cooked ingredients and remaining preparation ingredients in prepared freezer bag. Seal and save for later use.

Serving Day Instructions

  • Combine bag contents, stock, and wine in pressure cooker pot. Seal and pressure cook 8 minutes. Natural release 10 minutes, quick release.
  • Stir in sour cream. Serve over buttered egg noodles with a side of green beans.
Keyword beef stroganoff, instant pot, freezer meal

Return to Instant Pot Freezer Meal Directory

Love,

b

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Instant Pot Freezer Meals – Beef Vegetable Soup

Dear Sis,

These freezer meals have been so handy! We normally have to wrap up homeschool by three in the afternoon to start dinner, but we can school all the way to 4:30 PM with these instant pot freezer meals, which is inevitable on days we don’t begin until well after lunch:)

Beef Vegetable Soup

b
Instant Pot Freezer Meal, Beef Vegetable Soup
Print Recipe
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

Preparation Ingredients

  • 1 lb stew beef 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 lg potato chopped and blanched
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 carrots peeled and sliced
  • 2 ribs celery diced
  • 1 c tomato sauce
  • 1 c frozen green beans
  • 1 c frozen peas
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 1-gal freezer bag
  • 1 1-qt freezer bag

Serving Day Ingredients

  • 3 c beef stock

Instructions
 

Preparation Insturctions

  • Date, label, and copy serving day instructions onto one of the 1 gallon bag.
  • Place frozen vegetables in qt freezer bag, seal. Place remaining ingredients into labeled gallon bag, press out air and seal. Place both bags into another gallon freezer bag. Freeze for later use.

Serving Day Instructions

  • Add gallon bag and stock to instant pot. Pressure cook 10 minutes., natural release.
  • Stir in frozen vegetables. Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches.
Keyword instant pot, freezer meal, beef vegetable soup

Back to the Instant Pot Freezer Meal Directory

Dinner is served!

Love,

b

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Mac n Cheese… Can You Guess the Secret Ingredient?

Dear Sis,

Today we made Macaroni and Cheese with a secret ingredient. One would never guess it was butternut squash!!!!!

 

Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese
Serves 8
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Ingredients
  1. 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and chopped
  2. 2 c chicken stock
  3. 2 t dijon mustard
  4. 2 c shredded Gouda
  5. 3 c shredded Cheddar, divided
  6. 1 c whole milk
  7. 3/4 c greek yogurt
  8. 1 pound mini penne, cooked
  9. 2 T butter, melted
  10. 1 c Italian breadcrumbs
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 and grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  2. Simmer squash in stock for 15 minutes. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth.
  3. Stir in mustard and 2 c each gouda and cheddar until melted and smooth. Stir in milk and yogurt until smooth.
  4. Stir in cooked pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour into prepared casserole dish.
  5. Top with a mixture of breadcrumbs, remaining c of cheddar, and melted butter.
  6. Bake 20-25 minutes until bubbly and warmed through.
Notes
  1. When smaller batches are desired, I used two 8x8 pans and freeze one for later. Don't bake the one for the freezer until it is thawed and ready to go on serving day.
Adapted from The Ultimate New Mom's Cookbook by Aurora Satler & Allison Childress
Adapted from The Ultimate New Mom's Cookbook by Aurora Satler & Allison Childress
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

This is my new favorite mac n cheese recipe! Though I probably still use my old one on time crunch days:)

Love,

b

Twice Baked Potatoes to Freeze and Bake

Dear Sis,

I made this recipe back in February when we were helping the Jackson Grandparents move, but neglected to post it at the time:) I made it again tonight with Marinated Flank Steak.

Twice Baked Potatoes to Freeze and Bake
Yields 10
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Ingredients
  1. 5 russet potatoes
  2. 1 sweet potato
  3. 3 c frozen broccoli florets, thawed and chopped
  4. 1/2 c sour cream
  5. 1/2 c salted butter
  6. 1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
  7. 1/2 lb. uncured turkey bacon, cooked and chopped (optional)
  8. ground pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400. Wash and vent potatoes with a fork. Wrap sweet potato in foil. Place all potatoes in the oven 1 hour to bake.
  2. Increase oven temperature to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil. Cut potatoes in half. Scoop flesh out with a spoon and place skins on prepared pan. Discard sweet potato skin.
  3. Mash potatoes with sour cream, butter, and with half of cheese until smooth. Fold in half of broccoli and bacon, if using. Fill potato skins with filling.
  4. Top with remaining broccoli, cheese, and bacon, if using. Sprinkle with ground pepper.
  5. Bake potatoes 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and filling is reheated.
Freeze and Bake Instructions
  1. Do not bake. Place assembled potatoes in foil pans, wrap in foil, and label contents with name date and instructions.
  2. 1. Thaw the potatoes in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
  3. 2. Follow baking instructions above, adding more time if not quite heated through. Cover with foil, if cheese begins to brown before heated through.
Adapted from From Freezer to Table by Polly Conner and Rachel Tiemeyer
Adapted from From Freezer to Table by Polly Conner and Rachel Tiemeyer
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

Love,

b

 

Chicken Burritos to Freeze

Dear Sis,

Today I started the day bright and early. I originally planned to try a new recipe for Chicken Burritos to Freeze, but forgot I needed chili in the recipe. Chili I was supposed to make before the Burritos. To self-correct, I ended up making 4 pans of Chicken Burritos and 4 batches of Chili to Freeze. It was a much longer duration on my feet than I had anticipated, but I got the job done. 

When making Chili, I realized that my recipe has evolved since I posted it a few years back, so I thought I’d take the time to repost it.

Brandy's Chili
Serves 8
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Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
  2. 1 onion, chopped
  3. 1 T minced garlic
  4. 1 (24 oz jar) tomato sauce
  5. 2 (15 oz cans) kidney beans, rinsed
  6. 1 (14.5 oz can) diced tomatoes
  7. 1 T chili powder
  8. 1 T cumin
  9. 1 t oregano
  10. 1 t pepper
Instructions
  1. In a large stock pot, brown beef with onion and garlic. Drain grease if needed.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 1 hour.
Slow Cooked Option
  1. 4-6 hours on Low
Adapted from Chili Stew
Adapted from Chili Stew
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Brandy's Chili to Freeze
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Ingredients
  1. 4 (1 gal) freezer bags, labeled
  2. 6 lb. lean ground beef
  3. 4 onions, chopped
  4. 4 T minced garlic
  5. 4 (24 oz jars) tomato sauce
  6. 8 (15 oz cans) kidney beans, rinsed
  7. 4 (14.5 oz cans) diced tomatoes
  8. 4 T chili powder
  9. 4 T cumin
  10. 4 t oregano
  11. 4 t pepper
Instructions
  1. Brown beef 1 1/2 lb. at a time with 1 onion and 1 T minced garlic. Drain if needed. Cool a bit before placing in a freezer bag. Repeat 3 more times, with remaining ingredients.
  2. Add 1 jar sauce, 2 cans beans, 1 can tomatoes, 1 T chili powder, 1 T cumin, 1 t oregano, and 1 t pepper to each bag. Seal.
To prepare freezer meal
  1. Thaw completely in fridge. Simmer 1 hour on the stove top or slow cook for 4-6 hours on low.
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Once my 2 c of chili was ready, I was able to finish the burritos I’d started a few hours before:)

Chicken Burritos to Freeze
Yields 28
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Ingredients
  1. 4 square foil pans
  2. 6 T unsalted butter
  3. 1 onion, chopped
  4. 1/2 green pepper, chopped
  5. 1/2 c unbleached flour
  6. 3 c chicken stock
  7. 1 (10 oz can) tomatoes & green chilies, undrained
  8. 1 t chili powder
  9. 1 t cumin
  10. 1/2 t garlic powder
  11. 1/2 t salt
  12. 1/2 jalapeno pepper, chopped
  13. 2 c chili with beans
  14. 1 (8 oz pkg.) cream cheese
  15. 2 rotisserie chickens, deboned and shredded
  16. 28 uncooked flour tortillas
  17. 6 c Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
  1. In a stock pot, melt butter. Sauté onion and green pepper. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in broth. Simmer. Stir in can tomatoes and chillies, seasoning, and jalapeño. Cube cream cheese and stir in until melted and smooth. Stir in chicken.
  2. Cook tortillas according to package instructions and keep warm.
  3. Place a scant 1/2 c of filling and a scant 1/4 c of shredded cheese in each tortilla. Roll up and place in greased pans. Each pan holds 6 across and then one burrito along the bottom edge.
Adapted from Taste of Home
Adapted from Taste of Home
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Love,

b

Memorial Day 2019

Dear Sis,

I like to make a special treat and cook out on Memorial Day. It was a perfect opportunity to test another recipe for Evelyn’s birthday picnic next month:) 

Watermelon Rice Krispy Treats
Yields 12
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Rind Ingredients
  1. 3 T salted butter
  2. 4 c mini marshmallows
  3. green food coloring
  4. 4 c crisp rice cereal
Watermelon Ingredients
  1. 3 T salted butter
  2. 5 c mini marshmallows
  3. red food coloring
  4. 5 c crisp rice cereal
  5. mini semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Grease two round cake pans with butter.
  2. For rind, melt butter and marshmallows in a microwave safe bowl for 60 seconds. Stir until smooth. Stir in color. Stir in cereal. Press half mixture around outer edge of each cake pan.
  3. For watermelon, melt butter and marshmallows in a microwave safe bowl for 60 seconds. Stir until smooth. Stir in color. Stir in cereal. Press half mixture into center of each cake pan. Sprinkle each watermelon center with chocolate chips and press them in. Stand until set.
  4. Turn each pan out on a board and slice into 6 pieces, just before serving.
Adapted from Thrifty Fun
Adapted from Thrifty Fun
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
While I was in the kitchen, Josh mowed and trimmed for me. William played most of the time, but also got a chance to help. The mower stalls a lot when a two year old is holding down the bar:)

I’ve finally got my burger recipe perfected, so I guess it is time to share it:)

Cheesy Chive Burgers
Yields 12
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Ingredients
  1. 3 lb. ground beef
  2. 3 c shredded Cheddar Jack
  3. 1/2 c fresh parsley, minced
  4. 1/4 c fresh chives, minced
  5. 3 cloves garlic, minced
  6. 1 1/2 t hickory salt
  7. 1 t ground pepper
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients until well mixed.
  2. Press into a dozen burger patties.
  3. Grill, panfry, or layer between waxed paper and freezer for later. Thaw in fridge before cooking.
  4. Serve with buns, cheese slices, and all your favorite burger fixings.
Adapted from From Freezer to Table
Adapted from From Freezer to Table
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Happy Memorial Day!

Love,

b

Moving Party

Dear Sis,

We are safely home from a very fun weekend, helping my mom’s parents move into their new home. They sold their home of 50+ years on the 21st and closed on their brand new, minimal care, carriage home. We spent the weekend unpacking and clearing away boxes. It was also a family reunion of sorts, mom and her boyfriend Brain, mom’s younger brother Uncle Glenn, Jamie, Nate, and Evelyn, plus William, Josh, and I were all enjoying catching up while we worked. 

As the pregnant lady, I coordinated meals, because lets face it… food is a huge priority for me right now:) We even tried my new baked oatmeal freezer meal recipe.

Baked Peach Oatmeal
Serves 4
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Ingredients
  1. 2 (8x8 inch) foil pans
  2. 3 c old-fashion oats
  3. 1/2 c dark brown sugar
  4. 1/4 c flax meal
  5. 1/2 t salt
  6. 1 t cinnamon
  7. 1/2 c butter, melted
  8. 1/4 c maple syrup
  9. 2 eggs, beaten
  10. 1 c whole milk
  11. 1 (10 oz) pkg. frozen peaches
Instructions
  1. Combine dry ingredients. Drizzle with melted butter, and stir to combine.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together syrup, eggs, and milk. Stir wet mixture into oat mixture.
  3. Stir in peaches. Pour mixture equally into two greased pans.
  4. Wrap pans in plastic and foil. Label, date, and write cooking instructions on each pan.
Cooking Instructions
  1. Thaw completely in refrigerator.
  2. Preheat oven to 350.
  3. Bake 20-30 minutes until mostly set.
  4. Serve with additional milk.
Adapted from Freezer to Table
Adapted from Freezer to Table
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

The pictures are from a Friday night steak dinner at my dad’s and his younger brother Frank’s house.

(right-left) Grandpa Carmin, William, Evelyn, Brandy, Josh, and Uncle Frank

William was trying to pick Evelyn out of my lap. I told him he’d have to sit to hold her. His first words when I put her in his lap… “Heavy Mama.” There is only about 10 pounds between Evelyn and him. 

Love,

b