Freezer Meals

Well, I just posted this picture on Facebook, and several people wanted me to share my recipes (that were already tested!).

Here is the list of Frozen Crock Pot Meals that I have made before:

• Salsa Chicken
• Mexican Soup (one of my favorites)
• Honey, I Fed the Kid Dump Meal  (this is not a crock pot meal, but a make ahead meal that you grill)
• Healthy BBQ Chicken For Crock Pot
• Italian Chicken for Crock Pot
• Slow Cooker Veggie Beef Soup with Okra (didn't like this one much, but still have a bag or two in the freezer.  So maybe I'll give it another shot).
• Vegetarian Chili (Okay, this one was not a Freeze Ahead kind of meal, but I made it then froze the rest of it for another meal).

So what I do is make two or three bags of each recipe for the freezer.  Most of the time, I just make it ahead, or sometimes I do the "make one for dinner and one for the freezer".  Those meals are a little different, but only because they do not use the crock pot.

For those "Make one for dinner and one for the freezer" meals, I have done:

• Pasta Crab Casserole
• Meatloaf
• Falfafel
• Meatballs (these do go in the crock pot, but I have to freeze them separately from the sauce).
• Low-Fat Baked Ziti with Spinach (this one is GOOD)
• Chicken Tetrazzini

Anyone not familiar with Pepperplate.com really should give it a try!  It is the best thing since sliced bread!  Since I do a lot of my menu planning/grocery-list-making on the computer, this is just great for me.  Plus, they have FREE apps for the iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.  If your friends are on there, you can share recipes just by sending them to your friends and they show up in your recipe box.  Let me know if you use pepperplate and I can send you the recipes.  But I will just post the recipes here as well.

Salsa Chicken

CATEGORIES

 slow cooker, frozen meal

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INGREDIENTS

• • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 jar of your favorite salsa
  • 1 can black beans (drained)
  • 1 can corn (drained)

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INSTRUCTIONS

• 1. Combine all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-6 hours. Shred chicken with two forks just before serving. Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheese.
  2. ~This meal can easily be frozen. Add all ingredients to a ziploc bag and freeze. To cook, place frozen ingredients in crock pot and cook low 6-8 hours. So simple
  3. Read more: http://www.kids-meal-ideas.com/crock-pot-freezer-meals.html#ixzz1ZGmtNvTX

Mexican Soup

CATEGORIES

 slow cooker, frozen meal

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INGREDIENTS

• • 1 can of chicken broth
  • 1 can of green beans
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 can corn
  • 1 can beans (any kind)
  • 3 chicken breasts (you can toss them in frozen)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Throw into a gallon size freezer bag and toss in freezer.
2. When you want to cook it, throw it in, cook it on low until you can shred the chicken (6-7 hours).

• Honey, I Fed The Kids Chicken Meal (Dump Meal)

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  INGREDIENTS

  • • 2 chicken breasts
    • 1/2 cups apple juice
    • 1 teaspoons garlic
    • 2 TBS cup honey
    • Salt & Pepper to taste
    • make 4 bags worth

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  INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Thaw.
  2. Remove chicken from marinade. Discard leftover marinade.
  3. Grill chicken breasts over medium heat until completely cooked, flipping once. Will need to cook about 7 minutes per side.

  Healthy BBQ Chicken For Crock Pot

  Frozen Meals for Crock Pot

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  INGREDIENTS

  • • (2) Green Peppers Cut into Slices split between 2 bags
    • (1) Red Pepper Cut into Slices-split between bags
    • (1) Zucchini Chopped and split between bags
    • (3) Onions Chopped and split between bags
    • (6) Red Potatoes Chopped and split between bags (you can also use Sweet Potatoes)
    • (4) Garlic Cloves Chopped & Split Between bags
    • (4) Chicken Breasts Split between bags (I cut each breast in half again)
    • (1/2) TBSP Quick Cooking Tapioca per bag
    • (1) 15 oz can of Tomato Sauce Split Between bags
    • (1) TBSP of Brown Sugar per bag
    • (1) TBSP Worcestershire per bag
    • (1) TBSP Mustard per Bag
    • (1/4) tsp Salt per bag

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  INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours. Serve over Rice or Egg Noodles.

  • Italian Chicken in The Crock Pot

    Crock Pot

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    INGREDIENTS

    • • 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
      • 16 Ounce Bottle of Italian Dressing (I used non fat)
      • 1/2 Cup of Parmesan Cheese
      • 1 packet Italian Seasoning
      • 4 to 6 Potatoes scrubbed cut in half or wedges (you can peel if desired)
      • 1/2 bag of mini carrots

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    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. Spray crock with Pam
    2. Squirt a small amount of Italian dressing at bottom of crock-pot.
    3. Place two chicken breasts in crock.
    4. Pour some of the Italian dressing on the chicken.
    5. Sprinkle half of cheese onto the chicken.
    6. Sprinkle Italian seasoning onto the chicken.
    7. Place next two chicken breasts into crock-pot, if possible not directly on top of the first breasts.
    8. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of chicken.
    9. Pour carrots on top
    10. Pour more of the Italian dressing on top of chicken and carrots.
    11. Sprinkle Italian seasoning onto the chicken and carrots.
    12. Place potatoes on top.
    13. Pour the remaining Italian dressing on the potatoes.Sprinkle Italian seasoning on the potatoes.Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

    
    

    
    

    ALLRECIPES.COM
    

    Slow Cooker Veggie-Beef Soup with Okra

    YIELD

     4 servings

    ACTIVE TIME

     20 Min

    TOTAL TIME

     4 Hrs 20 Min

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    INGREDIENTS

    • • 1 pound ground beef
      • 1/4 cup onion, chopped
      • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
      • 1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian diced tomatoes, drained
      • 1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
      • 1 cup sliced fresh or frozen okra
      • 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
      • 1 tablespoon ketchup
      • salt and pepper to taste

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    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until beef is evenly brown and onion is tender. Drain grease.
    2. In a slow cooker, mix the beef and onion, diced tomatoes, Italian diced tomatoes, vegetables, okra, potatoes, ketchup, salt, and pepper. Pour in enough water to cover.
    3. Cover slow cooker, and cook 4 hours on Low.

    
    

    Vegetarian Chili

    CATEGORIES

     vegetarian

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    INGREDIENTS

    • • 1 (11 ounce) can condensed black bean soup (or canned black beans in juice)
      • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans , drained and rinsed
      • 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans , drained and rinsed (sometimes I use lentils)
      • 1 (16 ounce) can vegetarian baked beans
      • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chopped tomato puree (I use large 29 oz. can crushed tomatoes)
      • 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn , drained
      • 1 onion , chopped
      • 1 green bell pepper , chopped
      • 2 zucchini , chopped
      • 2 stalks celery , chopped
      • 2 garlic cloves , chopped
      • 1 (4 ounce) can diced chilies
      • 1 to 2 jalapeno , chopped (depending on how much heat you want)
      • 1 tablespoon chili powder
      • 2 teaspoons cumin
      • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
      • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
      • 1 tablespoon dried basil
      • 1 tablespoon cilantro (optional)
      • Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/grannys-slow-cooker-vegetarian-chili-51140#ixzz1k1SsF8mM

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    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. In a saucepan, saute the onion, bell pepper, zucchini, and celery for about 5 minutes.
    2. In a slow cooker, combine black bean soup, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, baked beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, bell pepper, zucchini, jalapeno, chilies, and celery.
    3. Season with garlic, chili powder, cumin, parsley, oregano, basil (and cilantro if using).
    4. Cook for about 6 hours on low.
    5. Serve with tortillas, cornbread, rice, or French bread.
    6. Enjoy!
    7. This freezes well!
    8. Leftovers are good on top of nachos!
    9. Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/grannys-slow-cooker-vegetarian-chili-51140#ixzz1k1Sz72At

    
    

    Let me know if you try any of these and what you think!  I also tend to add several veggies that I have on-hand... so sometimes I alter the recipe.  

    
    

    Seriously, I made those six meals in about an hour and a half.... Easy!

Crock Pot Freezer Meal.....

Here is a successful story about my crock pot freezer meal.  I made this one on the same night I made all the others.  It's called Slow Cooker Veggie-Beef Soup with Okra.  

INGREDIENTS

• • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/4 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1 cup sliced fresh or frozen okra
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • salt and pepper to taste

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Drag groups or instructions to sort

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onion until beef is evenly brown and onion is tender. Drain grease.
2. In a slow cooker, mix the beef and onion, diced tomatoes, Italian diced tomatoes, vegetables, okra, potatoes, ketchup, salt, and pepper. Pour in enough water to cover.
3. Cover slow cooker, and cook 4 hours on Low.
• I didn't have the Italian diced tomatoes (overlooked that one on the list!) so I added in Meatloaf sauce.  The end product was good, but a little too ketchupy for my taste.  McCoy and Whit ate it with no complaints though.  It tasted especially good with potato chips and sour cream. :)

I added all the ingredients to a gallon sized freezer bag (AFTER I browned the hamburger) and put it in the freezer.  Then I threw the whole thing in the crock pot in the morning.  I had Whit turn it on Low about 7 am and then he got home before me and turned it to warm about 4 pm. 

All in all, I give it 3 stars.  It was disgusting like my chicken last week, but it was pretty tasty.

Epic Fail

Okay, tonight... fail.

I made a freezer meal: Honey Garlic Chicken.  And I cooked it for 12 hours on low in the crock pot.  It was burnt and yucky when I got home.  It looks like this:

I think I may have to invest in a timer.  I'm just gone too long during the day.

Any of you ever had Epic Fails from the crock pot before?  Please tell me I'm not the only one.

I have more of this recipe.  I think I made like three batches.  I will try it again, but not cook it as long!

First Success!

I mentioned that I was experimenting with freezer cooked meals for the crock pot.  Well, I spent a lot of time in the kitchen (ha!  only 2 and a half hours!) making many 14 meals.  I still have more to make, but I got tired! :)

My first trip to the freezer: Four bags of Mexican Soup, Four bags of Honey I Fed the Kid, and three bags of Garlic Honey Chicken.  Yes, I rock!!

My first success: Mexican Soup
Here is the recipe:

• 1 can of chicken broth
• 1 can of green beans
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 can corn
• 1 can beans (any kind)
• 3 chicken breasts (you can toss them in frozen)
• 1 packet taco seasoning

Throw into a gallon sized freezer ziploc and throw it in the freezer.  I placed mine in the freezer very carefully, though.  :)

When you want to cook it, throw it in, cook it on low until you can shred the chicken (6-7 hours). I cooked it on low for a very long time.  I put it in about 6:15 am and Whit and McCoy ate around 6:30. When Whit got home around 4:45, he turned it on low.  I ate around 7:30 pm.  It was not burnt at all.   It had excellent flavor and not too much taco seasoning.  We put sour cream on it and it tasted wonderful!

Now, I cooked four batches of this soup!  The one recipe called for 3 chicken breasts, but I only put in two and I would probably just do one chicken breast the next time.  It seemed like a lot of chicken to me, once the veggies and tomatoes cooked up a bit.  But it tasted wonderful!  Left-overs included on small bowl for lunch today, and a big bowl for left-over dinner.  The best part, it did NOT stink up the whole house!!!  

Okay, that's not my first try at the freezer thing.  I also did a recipe called Honey, I Fed the Kids Chicken dinner.  This is called a "Dump Recipe" from the Lazy Day Gourmet.  Here is the link.  I grilled it and we had roasted potatoes and okra, and also green beans (with thyme and parmesan cheese mixed in-- great way to spice up a plain ol' can of green beans!).  I give it 4 stars.  It was received well by my family.  Whit said the chicken had great flavor.  I just like grilled chicken!  We ate this on Saturday night.