Our Frozen-Food-Aisle Diet

Photo Credit

It's been crazy around here the last couple of months and life has just not felt settled enough to do much menu planning. We've been having more of the "survival" type meals around here.... you know, where you feel perfectly content to eat things like cold cereal or ramen noodles for dinner?

I'll wait until we move to the new apartment and get more settled before I attempt any planning and sharing. But it occurred to me that I'm definitely not the only busy lady out there, and maybe others could use a few basic meal ideas. So, eat up....if you're not too proud.

- Ravioli (frozen) w/ Marinara sauce

- Turkey & Veggie pita sandwiches + Fruit

- Chicken Nuggets (frozen)+ Steamed Veggies (frozen)

- Spaghettios (yep!)

- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

- Pita Pizzas + Green Salad

Any other good ideas???

This Week's Menu 5/14 - 5/19

(Photo Credit)

This is not my freezer.

But pretend it will look like this after

I prepare a few things for our freezer stash.

Friday: Pita Sandwiches (didn't make last week) + Parmesan Baked Potato Halves + Watermelon

Saturday: Hamburgers + Oven Fries + Corn-on-Cob (Bake 375; 30 mins in husks) + Watermelon

Sunday: Asian Chicken Cabbage Salad + Watermelon

Monday: Choo's Marinaded Chicken + Brown Rice + Fruit or Veggie

Tuesday: Fresh Tomato & Basil Pasta + Fruit or Veggie

Wednesday: Sandwiches and/or Clear-out-fridge-Meal (....To-Go)

I won't be posting menu's for a couple weeks since we'll be out of town enjoying family. I want to make a few freezer items for DJ to have when he comes home early while Liam and I are still in Idaho. I'm trying to ease the guilt I'll feel about him being home alone -- and I'm hoping some prepared food in the freezer will help him (and me) feel better. And if he chooses to eat out, I know we'll eventually make good use of it all.

Here's what I'm making this week to stash in the freezer...

Oven Roasted Chicken (cubed and divided)

Brown Rice

Quesadillas

Taco Chicken (already made some extra last night)

Breakfast Burritos

Pancakes

Quiche

Frisco 1st Ward Enrichment

Whisk together:

4 eggs

1 1/2 c. milk

1 Tbsp. flour

2 Tbsp. sour cream

Dash nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

Add:

1 c. cheese, shredded

1/4 c. cooked bacon or ham (optional)

Add (to taste):

1/4 c. red pepper, diced

1/2 c. onion, diced

1/2 c. chopped spinach

Pour into prebaked frozen pie crust. Or freeze, then thaw quiche mixture prior to use. If frozen, thaw and shake completely then pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes, until lightly browned on top and well set in the center. Cool about 5 minutes before serving.

Pizza Bagels

Frisco 1st Ward Enrichment

12 mini bagels or 3 regular bagels

1 c pizza sauce

1 c mozzarella cheese

Up to 3/4 c. toppings of choice: sausage, pepperoni, olives, peppers, ham, etc.

Cut bagels in half and spread 1-2 Tbsp of sauce depending how thick you prefer it. Many people toast the bagels.

Pizza bagels can be frozen before or after cooking. Either way, freeze on cookie sheets without touching for 3 hours or until frozen solid. Then repackage in freezer bags and store for 2-3 months.

Bake pizza bagels at 375 for 10-12 minutes until the cheese melts in a preheated oven or toasted oven.

Chicken Pockets

From Cooking with Hilary
1 8 oz. Pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 Cup chopped green onions
3 Cups chicken pieces
1 Can cream of chicken soup
Bread Crumbs
2 Cans Refrigerator crescent rolls

Combine chicken, cream cheese, and onions. Pinch together two rolls and a spoonful of chicken mixture. Seal edges tightly. Brush with melted margarine and roll in bread crumbs. Put into bag and freeze.

When thawed, bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (until golden brown). Heat cream of chicken soup and enough milk for desired consistency for gravy. Pour gravy over each roll.