Advice for 'ReadyMeal' gift hamper please...

BungleGirl · 9 December 2006 at 1:59PM

I hope that this is the right place to post, it seems that you guys are the cooking/freezing/money saving gurus!

I would like to give an elderly relative a 'hamper' of frozen 'meals for one' for Christmas and am trying to think of what I could make to put in it.

I'm quite good at cooking but am not too sure about freezing. I would also like that whatever I do could be a complete meal so that she doesn't have to cook veg etc to go with it.

Okay on my list so far I have:-

Lasagne
Soup
Stews
Deserts (apple crumble etc)

I remember seeing once these places in america where you put all the raw ingredients (meat/onions/sauce/herbs etc) in a zip lock bag and then freeze it then you defrost it and either put it in a saucepan or in the oven which sounds good but I have never done this myself (I have only frozen stuff that has already been cooked)- anyone have any experience of this?

I would really appreciate any ideas - I am so sick of the whole Christmas comercialisation thing that I would really like to give a practical and useful gift.

Sophie

shell2001 · 9 December 2006 at 2:29PM

Think thats a lovely idea. I buy the foil trays with lids for my individual lasagnas (£1 for 10 from wilkinsons) and find they are really good sized portions. As so veg, when I make lasagna I fry off onion, carrot and leek and whizz it in the food processor and add with the toms (my littles dont like chunks), this way they get towards their required veg intake.

What about homemade garlic bread? I make the rolls courtesy of the BM, cook them off and when cool slice through (but not all the way so it stays as a mini loaf) then spread with HM garlic & parsley butter). Wrap in foil and can be cooked in over along with lasagna.

HTH

BungleGirl · 9 December 2006 at 2:35PM

I hadn't thought of garlic bread! That's a great idea.

I've done some 'googling' and found various websites on 'Once A Month Cooking' and there seem to be loads of ideas there, including some of the ziplock bag type recipes I was thinking of.

Now I just need to get organised, sort out recipes, make hopping list and buy some containers and go for it!

I know that she used to have those frozen meals that get delivered to you but I think she found it too expensive - she bought a freezer to put it all in so will get someone to check that she has plenty of room left in the freezer before I start!

Pink. · 9 December 2006 at 2:41PM

Hi bungle girl,

What about some roast dinners? A couple of slices of meat, some vegetables and pre cooked baby potatoes with gravy poured over the meat. Very easily reheated in the oven or microwave.

Shepherds pie? cooked mince base and mashed potatoes on top.....just needs defrosting and popped into the oven.

Lasagne. Make it up as normal but don't finish it off in the oven is the best way I've found to freeze it.

In my experience the elderly love home made soup and prefer plainer type food, but I know that's just generalising. Can you find out what kind of food she prefers?

Good luck with it....it's a lovely idea.

Pink

oakdale_minx · 9 December 2006 at 3:32PM

sausage and potato casserole? Make up a batch and then divide up the sausages, potatoes and sauce between thetubs.

whatatwit · 9 December 2006 at 7:01PM

Shepherds Pie.
Sausage & mash.
Beef stew and dumplings.
Fish Pie.
Hot Pot, with a pastry square on top.

For some more ideas, have a look in the frozen foods section at a supermarket, something like birds eye.
Or, look at Marks & Spencers meals for one, M&S do a lovely Salmon meal that my Gran adores.
Raw salmon, with a sauce over, a dollop of mash and some peas & carrots.

I would check if the relative eats pasta, as my grandparents would not thank me for either a curry or a pasta dish.

I like the idea of a pudding too, as you have said,
crumble & custard
Jam roly poly & custard

lynzpower · 9 December 2006 at 7:17PM

if she got them delivered, its likely to be wiltshire farm foods, do a google

Have a good look on their website they have all thier "menus" on there, all of which of course easily reheated.

Rice doesnt reheat well, but rice pudding could be pretty good- you wont need to do much with it, just mix it up, bang it in the trays and freeze

What a lovely thought

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Advice for 'ReadyMeal' gift hamper please...

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