Crystal and Jessica are at it again, working to inspire all of us to save time and money by preparing some foods in advance with an April Freezer Cooking Day.
This is going to be especially important for me to do right now with all four boys being involved in our home school musical in April. Plus spring soccer season is just about to come into my life at full force. Meal times are likely to be rushed many nights this month as we head out to practices, games and rehearsals.
Therefore, I must be organized. I must plan ahead. I must put some ready to grab food in the freezer. I must not panic.
Ugh, but I must make four animal costumes in the next 3 weeks.
Okay, I can do this. I have a plan (for the cooking, not for the costumes). Do you want to hear about it?
Each day this week, I’ll be making a little extra food to freeze. By the end of the week, I should have all kinds of food in the freezer to keep me from panicking while I attach black spots to white sweat pants so that I can make my eight year old look like a dalmatian puppy.
Here’s what I’ll be working on:
Corn Dog Muffins x 2
Sloppy Joes x 3
Here’s what I need to do to prep:
- Soak oats/flour for breakfast cookies
- Soak dough for apple pies and pizza pockets
- Soak beans for burritos
- Make whole wheat tortillas for burritos
- Thaw five pounds of ground beef for enchilada bake and sloppy joes
- Thaw/grate cheese for burritos and pizza pockets
In addition, I’d like to also prepare the following to simplify my life:
- Homemade Chewy Granola Bars
- Ranch Dressing Mix x2
- Italian Dressing Mix x2
- Bunches of carrot sticks
I’ll post the results of my efforts (again, for the cooking, not the costumes) at the end of the week!
Good luck, with the cooking, the costumes and the soccer. You sure are going to be busy!
Whew! I’m tired from reading all that. :) I have been enjoying my freezer meals from earlier in the month and can’t wait to make another batch. We are super busy right now too…hang in there! And please post pics of your costume-making progress!! :)
It seems like you just did a bunch of freezer cooking, but I know with a family of 6 the food goes fast. I’m so inspired. I’m freezer cooking this week too!
Amazing! I need to remember this for when MY life is about to get crazy.
I want to hear about the play! :)
Laura, I wondered – have you ever tried making pierogies? I made them from this recipe (http://pittsburgh.about.com/od/recipes/r/pierogies.htm) a couple of weeks ago and they were a BIG hit in our home. They also freeze beautifully. This recipe calls for white flour, but I have a feeling you could work your magic with a half and half mixture or even all whole wheat. Just an idea – blessings on your preparations for the coming weeks!
Way to go planning ahead!
As impressed as I always am by Crystal and Jessica’s freezer cooking, your method of making extra with every meal is the only way I can ever manage to do it. With 2 & 3 yo boys, it seems impossible to find time to do a full day of cooking.
It does work though! I’m due to have a baby any day now and my freezer is packed with nearly 2 weeks of dinners.
We are taking out homeschool spring break this week — so cooking for the freezer would be a good idea. And Laura, one tip for costumes — heat-n-bond. It comes in several weights, so if you need flexibility, use a lighter weight. You can get small rolls, like tape, or large pieces (or even yardage) you cut out yourself. It’s quicker than sewing and holds up pretty well!
The last time you did some major freezer cooking, I did a bit myself. It was icky out and the perfect way to kill time. I think that pizza pockets are in my future…the dry ingredients are already measured ;) They’re a great, quick supper!
Laura–we love your breakfast cookies but mine always end up like cakey little mounds. How do you get yours to look like cookies? Do you flatten them before you bake them?
Love your site!
I have read a lot on your site about soaking for grains, is this necessary for ground flax seeds?
I’ve been grating some cheese of my own lately. I got it on sale, froze some, and have grated it for a few meals. Aren’t you proud? p.s.- It’s on sale again and I will be stocking up :)