Countdown to Freedom

gallygirl

So what was the mystery lunch ?

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi LauraWaxx, I'll email it over to you in a short. I'm just on my iPad and need to send it from my laptop it will be with you this evening.

Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi AJ, it depends on what I'm freezing as to how I pack. Last night we had beef from Xmas which had been sliced and frozen in gravy. So that was stored in a shallow (not very tall) IKEA container. No clue how to post pics using an iPad rather than laptop. They have a white bottom and red top if you check the site.

I use the slighter taller ones (same type of container) for things like chilli, minced beef and onions, which I do a lot of as it's the base for loads of different meals.

If I do my own roast pots, roast parsnips etc then I put them in a bag. Plus a friend of mine, who has loads of takeaways, gives me the containers.

I have tried freezing soups in bags with cups, but I always found they leak or the clips come off, so I use containers for that as well.

So I guess I am saying, I use a variety of containers depending upon what I'm freezing but most are stackable.

On the label front, always label - don't ever assume you'll remember what you've frozen . Today I had a mystery lunch, as I had pushed some leftovers into the freezer compartment of the fridge in the kitchen. Done just before Xmas, in a hurry and I had no clue what it was. I had a surprising but very lovely beef casserole, even with two rice cakes for lunch :T

Best wishes Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

MissOptimistic, I would head over to the old style boards I think. They have loads of menu planning type threads. As the kids have always eaten loads of veg (we tend to do 2-3 veg meals over a month) I'm not sure I'm the right person to help you.

However, if you make cottage pies, lasagnes, pasta dishes etc, you can cram loads of extra veg in them, without them realising. Hopefully someone will read your post and be able to help you a bit more perhaps?

I'm a big believer in the Economy Gastronomy step down approach. Making one basic dish which can be added to, to make a variety of things. I think Nigella did something similar, many years ago, so check the library out as both would be helpful for browsing and getting ideas. I use different books each month to make sure the meals vary. Kids will request their favourites :rotfl:

Good luck though and I'm sure it will save you money :T

Best wishes Tilly

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Lula, can you give me the secret of stopping the bags from leaking? I tend to use them for veg more now, as I kept getting spillage - but bags are cheaper which is a big benefit in my mind. Any suggestions appreciated.

Many thanks Tilly

Mortgagefreeby50

Hi, I agree about sneaking veg into meals, I get a bag of the cheap frozen mixed veg and bulk out curries, cottage pie, lasagne pasta sauce etc with it. Fajitas are a good way to get them to eat peppers, onions and mushrooms.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Evening GG, beef casserole - I must admit I thought it might have been the remains of a takeaway from months ago :rotfl:

I'll be back home for lunch tomorrow so will be having an omelette and a bit of lettucey salad stuff from under the cloches in the garden :)

How's the first full week of work started off for you?

Tilly x

ajmoney

Mortgagefreeby50 wrote: »

Ajmoney, are you anywhere near the midlands? I bought a pack of 500 or 1000 takeaway tubs from Costco and have zillions left! Or I can post if you PM me?

Unfortunately nowhere near, I need tubs for my baking anyway so will get some more.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

On the label front, always label - don't ever assume you'll remember what you've frozen . Today I had a mystery lunch, as I had pushed some leftovers into the freezer compartment of the fridge in the kitchen. Done just before Xmas, in a hurry and I had no clue what it was. I had a surprising but very lovely beef casserole, even with two rice cakes for lunch :T

Best wishes Tilly

My mum for some reason put some wallpaper paste in the freezer years ago and took the tub out expecting apple sauce so I will be labelling! :rotfl:

elantan

really enjoying everyones input not sure if i am brave enough to try for a month of meal planning quite yet but might try for a few days next week ... i could try aqnd organise it on my night shift ... hmmmm

tilly i hate to be a pain but could i get a copy also so that i can see where your coming from and where i want to head to ... within a few months .. only if its no bother though dont put your self out

thanks

gallygirl

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

How's the first full week of work started off for you?

Tilly x

Oh just great. New computer had to be rebuilt :rotfl:.