After-Baby Freezer Meal Ideas - Page 4

[cristina47454]

Thanks for the pointers! I'm going to start my list and hopefully start cooking this week!

[GriffsKat]

Ok, so I did not read through all the posts, but here is what I did. Most of my casseroles make more than just two servings, sometimes 8, so, I bought the disposable square cake pans and split my casseroles, maybe making just a tad bit more to fill it. Some of my meals I just made for our regular menu right now and doubled or tripled it. Here is my list:

4 Frozen pizza doughs (I freeze mine right before the rise stage, it saves on space in the freezer and as it is thawing it rises somewhat) This is an awesome ww pizza dough. No oil needed. It is so good!
1 Enchilito's (a enchilada/burrito combo)
3 Monterey Beans and Cheese with Rice (this has no meat and can be frozen without the rice) This can be made without bacon. You can use chopped tomatoes, about two med/large ones in place of the tomato sauce. This is very filling.
2 Crusty Mexican Bean Bake
2 Cottage Cheese Casserole
1 Tangy Tuna Mac
2 Layered Zucchini
2 Beef Tamale Bake This can be made with TVP or ground turkey.
2 Thick Minestrone Soup

So far I just need to make the enchilito's and the minestrone. I have put up about 15 quarts of green beans and am buying up frozen veggies for sides. I have about 15 loaves of bread frozen (although we pull them out as we need them, so I'll need to be making more here after bit.)

Also with the zucchini we've been getting in I made a great zucchini chocolate cake and some breads for desserts after baby.

And most of the bean recipes call for kidney, I subbed pinto and black, they have more iron, which I need now and after baby is born. They taste the same.

I made a large batch of brown rice and froze in 2 cup servings, enough for one meal for two adults and a toddler. I plan on each meal having the casserole, bread, veggie and dessert. It won't be fancy, but it will be healthy and filling. I labeled what it was, how to reheat it, what to do to it when reheating, so that whoever would be able to do it. I figure if I pull it out the night before it will be defrosted by the next night for supper. I hope this works!

[Charmie981]

I'm starting to feel a little out-of-control. I added it up and in the last 24 hours, I have cooked 14 meals, 12 of which I have put up. Okay, that's great. Except that now I've started on a double batch of two different kinds of soups, which will bring my total up to 18 meals in 24 hours. I need to stop, and I know it, but I can't .

[cristina47454]

In this day and age of acid reflux diagnoses, is anyone concerned about meals with beans and dairy?(I know that these two things are sometimes linked to gassiness in baby and are often the first things to get cut out of your diet when breastfeeding) Beans and dairy are my go-to foods, but after baby #2 and some colicky issues, I'm a little worried about my diet!

[Charmie981]

Originally Posted by cristina47454

In this day and age of acid reflux diagnoses, is anyone concerned about meals with beans and dairy?(I know that these two things are sometimes linked to gassiness in baby and are often the first things to get cut out of your diet when breastfeeding) Beans and dairy are my go-to foods, but after baby #2 and some colicky issues, I'm a little worried about my diet!

It has crossed my mind that I'm making all of these meals and my child may not tolerate me eating them. I'm just going to hope that's not the case!!!! I've not had a baby with dietary issues before, so I'm thinking my hope might not be unfounded...

[ryansma]

Originally Posted by Charmie981

I'm starting to feel a little out-of-control. I added it up and in the last 24 hours, I have cooked 14 meals, 12 of which I have put up. Okay, that's great. Except that now I've started on a double batch of two different kinds of soups, which will bring my total up to 18 meals in 24 hours. I need to stop, and I know it, but I can't .

Hello my name is Charlotte and I am a freezer feeding addict.
Admitting you have a problem is the first step.

[xochimama]

dorky question

really dorky question here: as I understand it from this thread (no WAY am I sorting through the 48 pager in meals!)...

Already cooked ingredients = Freeze unbaked (lasagna, most casseroles, enchiladas)
Raw ingredients = Bake first, THEN freeze (egg casseroles, quiches)

So which is chicken pot pie? The first, right? Except how does that dough freeze? [hmm, as i think about this, i am remembering that supermarkets sell chik pot pie unbaked, so it's probably that...]

Also, Charmie, you posted a link to a couple recipes ("dump") for chicken marinades that look good and easy. But it wasn't clear to me: are those just raw chicken in the marinade, frozen?

[Charmie981]

Originally Posted by xochimama

Also, Charmie, you posted a link to a couple recipes ("dump") for chicken marinades that look good and easy. But it wasn't clear to me: are those just raw chicken in the marinade, frozen?

Yep, it's raw (fresh) chicken, put into a baggie with seasonings and frozen. This is actually one of my favorite things for the freezer and DH and I used to do it every grocery trip after Samuel was born, before we got into the habit of buying flash frozen chicken instead of the fresh stuff. It's great b/c he can pull it out and grill it. Add some rice or pasta and a frozen veggie *or* put it on top of a salad and you have a meal....easy.

[GriffsKat]

It had crossed my mind about the dairy and beans being an issue in bfing. I had to cut dairy with my daughter. I guess I'll just deal with it if it becomes a problem. I'm hoping not, though.

[cristina47454]

Bumping so this doesn;t get buried!

[foogoomomma]

I think even if I couldn't eat some of the food just knowing everyone else in the family is taken care of would be ok too.

I've been freezing any leftovers. I made a huge pot of chicken soup and froze it in the 1 qt bags.

We eat a lot of beans - super easy for either just pinto beans and cheese -- I cook them long enough that they are very similar to refried beans and just plain yummy. The kids love them in a bowl with shredded cheese on top or they are great as a side or refried a bit for tostadas. Fry up some corn tortillas add some toppings - quick and easy meal even Daddy can handle just flat frying corn tortillas or make burritos with flour tortillas.

Hamburger cooked with diced potatoes - kids love this in burritos or just with ketchup and having it just ready to heat up is so easy. I need to make way more of this, but it's not that hard to make real quick if I need to.

Mom and I froze up a bunch of green chile. I only bought mild to medium so I everyone in my house can handle eating it no problem. Makes a nice addition to soups and adds great nutrition to simple meals. We only did that now because it's the season for it.

I still want to make banana zucchini chocolate bread - a ton of it if I can, but want to coordinate it with a big baking time so I only heat up the house once. I make it with chocolate chips and the kids think they are eating like the most decadent dessert ever which is great because it's fully of fruit/veggies/nuts and just a teeny bit of chocolate chips lol.

I don't know about everyone else, but we have a lot to feed around here so I'm not just doing freezer stuff. I've also stocked up on the large cans/containers of food like peaches, hominy, roast beef, chicken, tuna, tomato sauce, noodles, pasta sauce, whole tomatoes, animal crackers, bread, etc. I'm stocked on fresh veggies, fruits, and staples like noodles, rice, potatoes too.

I've been writing down what my kids like to eat so whoever is around knows that whatever is on the list the kids will actually eat. Thankfully at least my mom will be be around to help for the first few weeks on and off : Anyone else feeding large families?

[moderngal]

Ok, I really like the idea of doing this and I'm in nesting mode today so I think I'd like to hit the grocery store and then try cooking. Here's the thing though...

I am a crappy cook!! Seriously though- DH is the cook in our family and I really don't do much. Can anyone suggest a few *easy* recipes I can do?

Thanks!!

[Quaniliaz]

moderngal - how about macaroni & cheese?

Here is what I've done this week - and it makes me so happy!! Thanks for the ideas and recipes - I think most of them are from this thread!

Mac & cheese x 4
Monterey Beans & Cheese x 2
Bean burritos x 2
Breakfast Casserole x 2
Blueberry Muffins x 2
French Toast x 2

Today I'm going to make a double batch of orange sherbet and harvest all of the basil from my garden for pesto (I just put this in a jar int he fridge, with a layer of olive oil on top - stays bright green and very fresh forever!! I think I leave out the parm. cheese when I do this, but I can't remember). I'd also like to cook some beans, rice, and lentils to freeze. Then I need to make a trip to the grocery store for the next round. Although I've had some loose stools (sorry - probably tmi in this thread) and am feeling worn out so maybe this baby is coming soon??

[moderngal]

Ok. I'm trying this. But like I said, I am so not a cook so I told my husband no guarantees.

I made these mini meatballs which were super easy to do.

I have the stuff to make mac-n-cheese and this taco filling for taco salad. I'll try and do one of these later tonight and the other tomorrow.

I'm also going to make and freeze some pancakes tomorrow. I usually freeze some every time I make them for DS because he loves them and it's a PITA to make them every time he wants them. Anyway- they are very good, so I'll make a bunch for all of us, too.

I also bought some frozen chicken pot pies to have around, too. I was inspired by this thread- although not enough to actually make them. But it'll definitely be a good addition to our stockpile.

[VeganCupcake]

Cooking extravaganza has just ended here. Tonight I made and froze:

• a batch of potato soup (DH ate some and liked it! That's a good sign from a picky omnivore.)
• a chik'n pot pie (thanks for the recipe, Alyssa!)
• a rice and bean casserole
• a batch of lactation cookies (they still work and taste good even if you make substitutions for sugar, eggs, choco chips, butter, etc.)

[xochimama]

So far I've got a VERY random (and now crowded) freezer:

-lasagna
-pesto
-lentils
-zucchini cheddar bread

I'd really like to get some soups in there...not sure what else will fit, though. We have a tiny freezer that's already packed with green chile (yum!) and basic freezer stuff that I like to keep on hand at all times: nuts, cranberries, butter, some frozen chicken breasts... I may have to do some purging of older stuff...

[youngsoul]

I'm hoarding green chile in my freezer too... and soy ice cream, which CANNOT be displaced with frozen meals for after baby comes

Anyway, I'm thinking I'll make some green chile stew, banana bread (wonder if that freezes well?), cornbread (w/green chile, of course), and maybe some vegan chili w/lots of TVP. Potato soup sounds great, VeganCupcake - I think I'll make some of that also! Thanks for the idea!

[moderngal]

VeganCupcake~ can you please post the recipe for the lactation cookies?

I have finished mac-n-cheese, taco filling, meatballs, and pancakes. Also have ravioli, pesto, pizza, and chicken pot pie in there, too. I made cupcakes the other day, too (red velvet with cream cheese icing) and froze a few of those for later.

[emski4379]

Anyone have a good mac and cheese recipe?

[VeganCupcake]

Lactation Cookie recipe

They seem to be very forgiving, so feel free to make lots of substitutions! I veganized and unsugared mine.