Freezer Meal Ideas

Another Reader contribution! Thanks, Jean!

I've been thinking of sending you a bit about what a friend and I did for our freezer meal exchange. It was really informal, but that time I made the chicken things (and she did the beef because we didn't have any in the freezer at that time.) We figured out how much onion, etc. we need chopped and did it all at once.

We made mini-meatballs and baked them 15 min. on trays, let them cool, then packaged them into ziplock bags to use in many different recipes.

I cooked the chicken the day before so it was ready to work with.

We made:

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas - 24 servings

2c. chopped onion

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/4c. oil

- Saute' - then add:

8c. chopped cooked chicken

2 (8oz.) cans chopped green chilies

1c. chicken broth

2 T. chili powder

1 T. ground cumin

-Cook until thoroughly heated; then stir in:

2 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese

Spoon 1/3 c. of mixture onto medium size tortilla.

Makes 24 servings. Put into foil pans and freeze. Pour cheese sauce and salsa over top before heating.Bake 300 for 30 min.

Turkey Croquets - yeilds 40

8c. turkey or chicken cooked and finely chopped

5c. cooked rice

1c. chopped celery

1c. chopped onion

7 eggs, beaten

1 tsp. poultry seasoning

1 tsp. chili powder

2 1/2 tsp.

1/2 tsp. pepper

2c. shredded cheddar cheese

Mix all together. CHILL BEFORE SHAPING! Shape into balls with 1/3 cup measure.

Dip each ball into melted butter, then roll in cornflake crumbs. Takes about

2 sticks butter

1 box cornflakes

Freeze on trays then bag. Bake 350 for nearly 1 hour. Serve with gravy or:

Special Mustard Sauce:

1c. oil

3/4c. sugar

1/3c. prepared mustard

1tsp. salt

1/4c. vinegar

Stir together or shake in jar until sugar dissolves. Store in fridge.

It was lots of fun and we loved our handy meals.

I'd love to hear what other people like to make for the freezer.