Ideas For Freezer Meals After New Baby Arrives

Mutantk

Hi everyone - I know there are lots of threads about ideas for bulk cooking for the freezer, many of which I've used - what I'm after now however are in particular things that I can make and freeze now and then on the day I want them just put them in the slow cooker (after defrosting them of course)....does this make sense and is it indeed possible?

The instructions on my SC say that you should only put boiling liquid into it but I have read many people day that they don't....I always leave things in there for a full, long day.

So I'm thinking casseroles - meat, veg and spuds - brown the meat off then just put everything together and freeze it, defrost it overnight then straight into the SC when I get up so there's a good dinner ready later that day. would this work?

Would love some other ideas for things I can do this same procedure with as the meat/veg/spuds combo could get a but tedious. Am expecting baby 4 in 7 weeks and want to fill my freezer with lots of good dinners for me, DH and the 3 DDs so that we don't rely on junk in those tiresome first few weeks and also so that I don't have to think too much about shopping, preparing etc etc - want to have maximum time with kids and new baby!

Thanks in advance for your ideads and suggestions,

Keely

far2812

Why dont you make a really good chilli - it's always best once frozen and then reheated in the slow cooker. I would never put boiling liquids in my slow cooker - as long as they are really hot when you eat it to me, that's the best way.

My best recipe which I freeze all the time is dead easy:-

Chicken Portions
Mushrooms
Peppers
Paprika
Chicken Stock

Cook them all together (the paprika will coat the chicken) - add the chicken stock - when cooked, cool and freeze. Reheat in your slow cooker until really hot, then at the last minute, pour in some double cream - add more paprika for a stronger flavour.

Gorgeous!

Good luck with the baby!

Ishtar

I used to do 'casserole packs' for my freezer - the veggie box always seemed to have a glut of swedes and parsnips, so I prepared these along with some onion and carrots and froze them in appropriate sizes. I've always got meat in the freezer for stews, so it was just a case of defrosting both, heating in a saucepan with some stock and bunging the lot into the slow cooker. Would take 15 mins tops.

You could always miss out the saucepan stage, though, and add stock (boiling or otherwise!) to the slow cooker.

I have never tried reheating food in it, however, as the instruction book for mine says not to as the temperature doesn't get high enough to kill off any bugs. However, this is probably specific to each cooker - mine was used by Noah on the Ark, so things might have improved since then .

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for some useful recipes/ideas myself, as I'll be stocking the freezer for a new arrival at the beginning of next year...

Good luck with the baby.
D.

boredjellybean

I just wanted to say what a great thread idea - I am expecting baby number 3 in January & have been searching around for some easy or bulk meal ideas (will be dusting off the slow cooker)

I look forward to reading all ideas & hopefully may be able to come up with a few too

bjb

WartimeScrapingofMarmite

I don't have a slow cooker so am clueless in that respect, but the Mum of a friend of mine cooks lasagne in hers and it is divine!

tattoed_bum

i have meatballs in gravy with veg and potatoes in the slowcooker as i type , and i did meatballs in tomato sauce in the slow cooker to go with spaghetti the other day ,

as the meatballs were fresh and not frozen these would easily freeze to recook.

i would be wary of just browning the meat of and then freezing it would be best to cook through first

how about a large lasagne that could be halved for two days food
things like chicken i dont bother browning first i just stick it in the slow cooker with either gravy or curry sauce

boredjellybean

I was thinking about this & I think what I will do when bubs arrives is have a supply of meat sauce (for spag bol, chilli, lasagne etc) in the freezer to take out & defrost & use as I wish

as far as the slow cooker is concerned I think I will just try & find 20min in the morning to get things bunged in there for example brown meat & veg heat up stock & sling in SC to be cooking away during the day then just shove some veg & tatties in the steamer when hubs gets home from work

I am hoping that I'll be able to sling things in the SC even with bubs around - if not I shall be teaching hubs to do it before he goes to work!

bjb

cady

maybe you can start freezing leftovers now so say you have a prtion of chilli lleft put it in a tub and just do the same with cassoroles and stews so you have a freezer full of one - two person portions ready to take out.

HTH

Cady

turbo5019

My baby is due in 2 weeks and I have DD2 and my DH works off shore although if arrives on time he will be here for 10 days afterwards then away for 28 days so what I have done is bulk cooked meals like beef curry, mince in gravy, chicken curry etc put them in to freezer bags enough for 1 person then I will take then out in the morning and reheat in the microwave. Also in freezer I have grated carrot, sliced onion, mushrooms and loads of meat so if I want to make a cassorols just defrost meat put in slow cooked add frozen veg & stock.
I have also been stocking up on loaves of bread & HM bread put grease proof paper between each slice and I just take what I need for toast or for sandwiches.
HTH

Babieseverywhere

I found this website which says you can put together a meal but not cook it and just freeze it. Then when it is needed stick it straight in the slow cooker. Which sounds great but you have to buy the recipes, so I have not tried it yet. http://www.savingdinner.com/index.php?option=com_ixxocart&Itemid=86&p=product&id=51&parent=7

HTH