make ahead meals

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Dear Sis,

Here is another great freezer meal. I think Nate would like it too:)

Chicken Cordon Bleu
Yields 12
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Ingredients
  1. 6 chicken breast, sliced horizontally
  2. 1/2 c unbleached flour
  3. 5 eggs, beaten
  4. 2 c Italian breadcrumbs
  5. 12 slices Swiss cheese
  6. 12 slices turkey ham
On Cooking Day
  1. 2 t melted butter, per roll
Instructions
  1. Lay out three shallow dishes. Place flour in first, egg in the second, and 1/2 c of breadcrumbs at a time in the third. Set aside.
  2. Roll out each piece of chicken on a cutting board until thin, approximately 1/2 inch.
  3. Bread each piece of chicken by dipping it in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Set aside.
  4. Fold each slice of cheese into quarters. Wrap each folded cheese slice into a slice of turkey ham. Set aside.
  5. Place a turkey ham wrap at the narrow end of a slice of chicken and roll up. Secure chicken rolls with toothpicks, if cooking now, or with plastic wrap, if freezing for later use in freezer bags.
Thawing Instructions
  1. Unwrap frozen chicken rolls and arrange in greased baking dish. Refrigerate until thawed.
Cooking Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Brush each roll with melted butter. Bake 45 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Adapted from Fix Freeze Feast by Kati Neville and Lindsay Ahrens
Adapted from Fix Freeze Feast by Kati Neville and Lindsay Ahrens
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Our simple sides are frozen green beans, sautéed and Rice-a-Roni pilaf. I hope this meal works well for your family too!

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

Honey Mustard Chicken

Dear Sis,

Today we tried another great and simple freezer meal.

Honey Mustard Chicken
Serves 6
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Ingredients
  1. 3 (1 gallon) freezer bags
  2. 18 chicken thighs
  3. 1 1/2 c honey
  4. 3/4 c unsalted butter
  5. 1/2 c prepared mustard
  6. 1 T curry powder
  7. 2 t salt
Label bags
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Run freezer bag under water just enough to remove frozen chicken from bag. Pour into a square baking dish.
  2. Bake 30 minutes. Separate chicken into a single layer and cook 1 hour more until sauce gets thick and sticky.
Fills bags
  1. Place 6 chicken thighs in each freezer bag.
  2. Combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until dissolved and smooth. Cool before pouring equally over chicken thighs.
Adapted from Fix Freeze Feast by Kati Neville and Lindsay Ahrens
Adapted from Fix Freeze Feast by Kati Neville and Lindsay Ahrens
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

Goes well with Mashed Potatoes and Cracker Barrel Style Carrots.

Love,

b

Sweet Meatballs

Dear Sis,

Today we had a playdate with Carter and Mama Jen. The Mama’s made two homemade meatballs dishes each while the boys enjoyed a nice spring day outside!

Sweet Meatballs
Yields 120
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Ingredients
  1. 4 (1 gallon) freezer bags
Meatballs
  1. 6 lb ground beef
  2. 3 c Italian bread crumbs
  3. 2/3 c whole milk
  4. 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  5. 1/4 c onion, minced
  6. 2 T garlic, minced
  7. 1 T salt
  8. 2 t pepper
Sauce
  1. 4 c ketchup
  2. 2 c dark brown sugar
  3. 2 c red wine vinegar
  4. 2 c Worcestershire
  5. 2 T garlic, minced
  6. 2 T onion, minced
  7. 1 T dry mustard
  8. 2 t pepper
Meatballs
  1. Combine meatball ingredients and shape into 120 meatballs.
  2. Bake meatballs in foil lined pans at 500 for 15 minutes. Cool.
Label freezer bags
  1. Thaw in refrigerator.
  2. Pour into a 9x13 dish and bake 30 minutes at 350.
Fill bags
  1. Place 30 meatballs in each bag.
  2. Combine sauce ingredients and pour it equally over each bag of meatballs.
  3. Freeze up to 3 months.
Adapted from Fix Freeze Feast by Kati Neville and Lindsay Ahrens
Adapted from Fix Freeze Feast by Kati Neville and Lindsay Ahrens
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

Goes well with rice, mashed potatoes, or mac and cheese with a side of green beans.

It would also go well with whatever your family usually likes with BBQ.

It was nice enough to eat outside again today!

Love,

b

Make Ahead Marinate

Dear Sis,

My freezer meal campaign has me reimagining a lot of foods in a make-ahead way. Any marinate can be made in a large batch and frozen in portions and thawed to use on a cut of meat, poultry, or fish later!

Brown Sugar Bourbon Salmon
Serves 2
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Ingredients
  1. 1 lb fresh salmon
  2. 1/2 c orange juice
  3. 1/4 c dark brown sugar
  4. 2 T bourbon
  5. 2 T soy sauce
  6. 1 T minced onion
  7. 1/2 T minced ginger
Instructions
  1. Place marinate in gallon size bag. Add salmon. Massage and chill 6-8 hours.
  2. Preheat oven to 350. Place salmon in a baking dish skin side down.
  3. Bake 15-25 minutes depending on thickness of filet.
Adapted from Fix Freeze Feast by Kati Neville and Lindsay Ahrens
Adapted from Fix Freeze Feast by Kati Neville and Lindsay Ahrens
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

We made a fresh batch for dinner and three additional batches of marinate for the freezer.

It was in the mid-60s today. I couldn’t bring myself to bring William in from his play for dinner, so I brought it to him!

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