Preparing Your Own Frozen Food

Preparing Your Own Frozen Food
By Brenda Hyde

Homemade frozen food is our friend on busy, hectic
days when you just can't think of what to cook from
scratch! By creating your own frozen entrees, you
can control the fat and salt content by making
substitutions, and you certainly save money over
buying processed frozen foods from the grocery
store. Set aside a day once a month to cook and
freeze. Once you start this routine and come up
with your own variations you'll never be forced to
order take-out again because you don't have an
easy meal on hand!

Italian Style Freezer Meatballs

Ingredients:
2 1/2 pounds ground round or chuck
1 pound hot or sweet Italian sausage-casings removed
5 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup minced yellow onion
1 2/3 cups fine dry breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 2 tsp. dried
1 tsp. dried, crushed rosemary
2 cups milk

Mix all ingredients very well, and form into about 48
meatballs, depending on the size. Preheat oven to 350°
F. Place meatballs in a shallow baking pan and bake
about 30 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. You
can use part of these at this point and freeze the remainder
after cooling for 30 minutes. Place a dozen meatballs in a
single layer on freezer wrap and fold over wrap neatly. Or
freeze partially on a cookie sheet and place in plastic bags.
Do not stack anything on top of the packages for at least
12 hours. To serve heat them in a 350 degree oven for 45
minutes or until warmed through. These make wonderful
Swedish meatballs, meatball sandwiches, spaghetti or
in a meatball stew!

Multi-purpose Chili

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pound ground chuck or round
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
2 (19 ounce) cans tomatoes with chilies
1/2 cup water
1 cup salsa, any type
1 cup frozen corn (optional)
1 (28 ounce) can chili beans (with sauce)

Brown beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking up as
you go. Dice onion and add to pot. Sprinkle garlic,chili
powder, and cumin over beef. Stir in onion and sauté 2-3
minutes. Stir in tomatoes, water, salsa, and corn. Bring to
gentle boil and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the beans to the pot. Cook covered until beans are
tender-about 5 minutes. NOTES: This can be used for
topping hotdogs, tortilla chips, omelets (melt Colby-Jack
with it!), or eating it by the bowl! Freeze in containers when
cooled for at least 30 minutes and mark containers before
freezing.

Freezer Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:
1 pound bulk pork or Italian sausage
1 pound ground chuck or round
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans tomato sauce (8 ounces each)
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

In a skillet, brown sausage, beef and onion. Remove from
the heat and drain. Stir remaining ingredients into sausage
mixture. Cool. Spit the mixture into containers-using the
amount you would need for one meal. Freeze for up to 3
months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm on
the stovetop or in the microwave. I always add a little water
to stir in or more tomato sauce. Serve on buns or over hotdogs.

Three Dinner Beef Roast

Ingredients:
1 boneless chuck roast (4-5 lbs), cut in 3/4" cubes
2 medium onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper (or more)
1/2 tsp. crushed rosemary

In a large skillet, cook the beef cubes, onions and garlic in
the oil. Drain if necessary. Transfer to a crockpot. Stir in the
water, salt, and pepper and rosemary. Cover and cook 3 or
4 hours on high. Every crockpot is different. You want it to be
tender, but not falling apart! Cool. Divide beef into three freezer
containers-dividing any liquid that may have been left. This will
freeze for about 3 months. Use it in soups, stews or chili.

Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer, wife and mom
to three kids living in the Midwest United States.
For more family friendly recipes and cooking tips
visit Brenda at http://oldfashionedliving.com/recipes.html