Popping in real quick with a post I already had mostly written weeks ago. Pre-planning for the win!
Today is the first day I’ve felt like a normal human being since Eddie’s birthday. I was up at a normal hour (without feeling exhausted), showered, got dressed in real clothes, and even ventured out to run some errands with my little man. This afternoon we are heading to my place of work so he can meet all the friends he made while in my belly.
Before Edison was born, I took advice from many mamas and prepared some freezer meals. I’ve been a little stingy with them. And that’s dumb, because they’re there for us to eat, not hold on to – but I might “wish I had them later.” Ya know? ha.
I picked out 6 recipes to make. We always have leftovers whenever I cook, so I knew that if I simply froze them into smaller portions, 6 recipes would really stretch. And stretch they have! And oh, the convenience. And knowing that there isn’t a ton of preservatives in what we are eating. Yes, it was a lot of work (and a bit of an investment) on the front end, but it has paid off ten-fold. No doubt.
I simply “googled” popular freezer meals to compile the list here:
Chicken Enchiladas (different from my own recipe, I wasn’t sure how the condensed milk in mine would freeze…?)
Chicken Spaghetti
Sour Cream Noodle Bake
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole
And what has become our most very favoritest of all:
Homemade Creamy Cheesy Broccoli Soup.
Oh. This soup. Craig and I both enjoyed a bowl out of the pot before I froze the remainder of the first batch. It’s so delicious. And equally as delicious after it’s been frozen.
Homemade Creamy Cheesy Broccoli Soup
5 c chicken broth, preferably homemade (I used canned)
1 c onion, pureed or finely chopped
3 c finely chopped fresh broccoli
1 c chopped fresh broccoli, medium sized for texture
1 c grated carrots
3 large cloves garlic
1 bay leaf (I omitted, because I didn’t have one!)
1/4 c butter
1/4 c flour
1 c half and half
Dash of garlic salt
1 c shredded Gouda cheese
1/2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Head on over to Happy Money Saver’s page for the how-to! You won’t be disappointed!
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Another of our favorites is the Sour Cream Noodle Bake. But, shhhhh – Craig doesn’t like sour cream. So, I simply labeled it “Burger Noodle Bake.” It’s delicious. Craig loves it (so do I)!
I probably won’t be back before Christmas – so enjoy your time with friends and family. We are lucky to have my parents in town from Texas to celebrate Eddie’s first Christmas with us. It’ll be one for the books, no doubt!
What are some of your favorite freezer meals?
our midwest nest 