Could you ever envision planning meals for a month, having them ready for you to pull from the freezer with little effort in time and preparation? This concept of freezer meals is taking hold for some families in an effort to reduce the amount of money spent on food, and have meals on hand which are healthy and wholesome.
Making freezers meals is basically batch cooking where you would make a large quantity recipe. The entrŽe is prepared from fresh foods and frozen in family portions which can be pulled from the freezer and re-heated at a later date. The cost of meals prepared at home is generally less than the cost of prepared ready-to-eat frozen entrŽes, deli foods and eating out. With meals prepared at home you have the ability to limit the amount of preservatives, sodium and calories added to your dish.
Batch cooking can be a social gathering opportunity. This is where a group of friends gets together, individually or as a group and make quantity recipes, then divide the portions and cost among those involved. Say, in a group of 3; 1 makes 3 pans of lasagna, 1 makes 3 batches of beef soup, 1 chicken pot pie. In the end each member gets a pan of lasagna, a batch of soup and chicken pot pie.
Some tips to keep in mind:
· Before making a quantity recipe, make it, freeze and taste test it for all involved. What you like in a good lasagna dish may not be what your friend likes. Ideas of main dishes which freeze well include: lasagna, spaghetti sauce, pot pies, stuffed pep
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