We are having an unidentified casserole for lunch today. Sounds delicious doesn’t it?
I made it during one of my recent freezer cooking days, but I didn’t label it. Why didn’t I label it? Good question. I think I didn’t label it because I figured we’d eat it within a couple of weeks and I’d remember what it was. But we didn’t eat it within a couple of weeks and my brain has blocked out that memory and now I have no idea what it is.
Any ideas?
I’m thinking it might be beef enchiladas, but I’m not sure.
So, my encouragement for you today is to always label your frozen food. It helps you know what you’re eating. Duh.
Now, I also recommend that you re-use your freezer bags if possible. The labeling of freezer bags, however, can become an issue when you re-use them.
Case in point: I once filled a freezer bag with bean and cheese burritos. I labeled the bag “bean and cheese”. Later I re-used the bag store zucchini bread. I knew what it was, but of course no one else did. My husband got ready to slice some for breakfast the next day and glanced down at the bag to see what kind of bread he was to be eating. He looked at the label and of course it said, “bean and cheese”. I think he might have jumped back in shock. Sorry, Honey.
I hereby resolve to become better at labeling my frozen foods.
Would you like an update on the identification of the unidentified casserole after lunch today?
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UPDATE!!
Sure enough…it was beef enchiladas. Once I could smell what it was while it baked in the oven, I had just enough time to make a taco salad and lunch was served. Hey, sometimes surprises are fun, right?
I think it looks like the Layered Cheesy Salsa Enchiladas from your High Five Recipes. I bet it will be good, whatever it is!
I would love an update! I think it looks kinda like Lasagna!
Since it looks great, please tell! :)
An update would be awesome.
Thanks for the chuckle. I needed one after the morning we had over here!
I have done that so many times! I did figure out that if I label with a sharpie and then scrub the bag in hot soapy water with a green scour pad it will come off enough to relabel, or I try to stick the same thing back in, but its easier to scrub it off.
I hope it was tasty!
Heehee…I’ve been there! I have, however, found a labeling system that works for us. I keep a roll of painters tape, ya know, the blue stuff, on the shelf near my sink along with a sharpie. The tape stays “stuck” in the freezer, but easily peels when you’re all done. It has been the answer to the stacks of unidentified jars of leftovers and mystery condiments in the fridge too, and it’s totally non-committal!
(((LIKE)))
…espec since we bought a contractor pack of blue tape when we were painting our new house
(and I reuse bags for .y.e.a.r.s. as evidenced by the dates on some)
Thanks, Natalie!
We often call it freezer surprise when I didn’t label something and can’t remember what it is. We just thaw it, heat it up, and hope it’s good!
well…what was it? :)
Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s good! You know what I need to do, besides label my food? I need to keep a list on the freezer of what’s in there!
When I label my freezer bags, I put a piece of tape over where you would write and I write on the tape. Then you can take the tape off and start over again.
Oh my, this gave me the giggles! I volunteered in a kitchen once where we found a half freezer full of unlabled homemade food. We thought it looked sort of like split pea soup and thawed it…and it turned out to be applesauce! Lots and lots of applesauce! Thought of that when I read your post. Too funny.
One way to avoid a “permanent” label on a zip bag you want to reuse or any on a plastic lid or container is to use blue painters tape. It stays on in the freezer, but peels right off the plastic when you are done.
The fun thing though, about the permanent labels is to realize how long you’ve been able to reuse that plastic bag. I have some that have floated around with “boysenberry” written on them for two years now. It is kind of weird to have precooked pinto beans in a bag labeled boysenberry! My older son almost used pinto beans in a smoothie once. :-)
Don’t forget to label your canned goods, too. Unless you want to be surprised, anyway. Many jams look a like on the pantry shelf!