Freeze It Week, Day 1: Back to School!

Posted by Caroline Wright

Believe it or not, I'm experiencing a taste of back-to-school fever that's afflicting many parents (and kids) right now. This is my challenge: my husband, Garth, is newly enrolled in law school, and I have to figure out how to feed him multiple times a day, regardless of my presence, with little involvement from him. Sound like your family? Like you, I need to get meals on the table in a flash. Familiar, right?

So I look to the freezer to help me stay organized -- and on budget. Each day this week, I'll share freezer-friendly recipes and shortcuts I've recently stashed away to prepare for some busy months ahead.

But, first things first. Let's talk strategy.

When I hit the kitchen for a big freezer-stocking project, I think about strategy. In my relatively small household, single-serving dishes are best: burritos, hand pies, or single portions of mac and cheese or soup. I've found these portions are best as a cost-effective lunch or solo dinner for my husband to dive into. (I leave reheating directions tacked to the refrigerator, which leaves me hands-off and worry-free.)

In addition to considering the sort of portions that work best for you, remember that some foods freeze better than others: sturdy casseroles, bulk sauces, and recipes with hearty veggies (mushrooms and bell peppers, for example, are less freezer-friendly). Consider, also, the capacity of your freezer, and work with it. You can choose to freeze some items flat, like soup or stock, to save space.

What strategies work best for you?

I've asked fellow bloggers, parents, and our readers how they use their freezers, and found some really interesting responses that I'm excited to share with you over the next few days. Since all of us have different households and schedules, I thought it would be helpful to devote each day to a new freezer-friendly strategy. Try them all, if your freezer can take it; they'll save you money, time, and worry. Have I gotten you thinking and ready to shop? Here are a few tips, tricks, and ideas to simmer until tomorrow.

Look for my post tomorrow on five favorite one-dish dinners!

Comments

[Kristen]

We live out of our freezer! With both of us working and having funky schedules it makes the most sense, and saves me from feeling stressed about whipping something up after a long day. I work from home one day a week and use that time to make large batches of soups, sauces and curries, I then freeze them in double portions with the name, the date and what needs to be made with it (rice, couscous, etc) Makes dinner a snap and even the boyfriend can figure it out and get things ready.

[Missy08]

In the fall/winter, I make soups and chili to freeze. It is easy for the kids and my husband when he has to cook. I label the containers with the name and date.

[Kim]

Hi,

I also freeze cupcakes iced with butter icing mix. I wrap each in gladwrap or place in a sandwich bag & freeze - they defrost really well & the icing doesnt fall apart.

I also freeze slices of baked cake eg: carrot & walnut, banana. Also homemade cookies freeze really well - I have tried choc chip, & choc chop & nuts

The best freezer meal at my house is meatballs in sauce - all you need to do when you get home is cook the pasta.

Thanks Kim

[Caroline Wright]

These are all really great ideas! I love to freeze baked goods, too, Kim-- have you tried freezing unbaked balls of cookie dough? I love freezing them that way because it only adds on about a minute or two to the unfrozen baking time that would have been in its original recipe, and you get the added yumminess of having fresh-baked cookies on-hand with no mess. Try it. You'll love it!

Keep checking back this week for more dinner ideas-- I hope you'll find new tips and tricks that inspire you.

[Michelle Gadd]

Hi,

I freeze a lot of soups. I don’t use container but I freeze all my soups in plastic snap lock bags which allows me to write what soup it is and when I cooked it. The soup needs to be cool/cold before transferring to the bag. Before sealing the bag, leave a little bit of the snap lock open, then lay the bag flat and push all the air out, then fully lock the bag. This enables you to lay it flat in your freezer and does not take up too much space. The other reason I do this, I can use all different size bags, from mini, to sandwich, to large this enables me to grab a quick lunch or dinner. I never put the bags in the microwave to heat - always use microwave safe container.

[maggie]

I should try bagging things...I love to have stock of all types on hand, but my little manhattan freezer is tiiiiny.

I do freeze pesto and broth in ice cube trays for easy use.

[Jennifer]

I just got my freezer and I love it. I really want to start making healthy ready to eat meals. Any ideas or recipes? I have 2 girls and a very hungary husband to feed. Thanks