General fitness, health and nutrition · Public discussion

Frozen meals?

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General fitness, health and nutrition
Published
2 November 2007
Last activity
11 November 2007
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Serene
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  1. Hi, Gang,

    I'm going into the hospital for surgery next week. I'll be gone for
    at least an overnight, and out of commission for a few days after
    that. I want to leave frozen meals for James so that he doesn't end
    up ordering pizza the whole time I'm gone. There's nothing wrong
    with pizza; he just ends up eating pizza and hot dogs for every meal
    if I am not home to cook and there's nothing easy in the house. He's
    diabetic, and it's best if he eats more varied and wholesome foods,
    in general. He prefers it, too. And I like cooking for him, and for
    the rest of my family and friends.

    What are you favorite freezable meals? Ideally, not hugely high in
    fat, though that's not the most important thing. Most important
    things are that it just has to be popped into the oven, and it's
    tasty. Cheap would be a bonus, too, as we're kind of strapped, and
    with a 60/40 insurance plan, that's not going to change any time
    soon. Don't get me started on the state of health insurance in this
    country. *deep breaths*

    Anyway.

    Yesterday, we had a chicken enchilada casserole from that batch I
    made the other week, but those are gone now, so I want to put in at
    least a couple things to tide the family over while I'm on my back
    (and not in that nice way that we like).

    Thanks in advance for your help!

    Serene
    --
    Spin the auto-sig generator, and she says:

    In sober truth, nearly all the things which men are hanged or
    imprisoned for doing to one another are nature’s everyday
    performances. Killing, the most criminal act recognized by human
    laws, nature does once to every being that lives, and in a large
    proportion of cases after protracted tortures such as only the
    greatest monsters whom we read of ever purposely inflicted on
    their living fellow creatures. [John Stuart Mill, Utility of
    Religion]

  2. In article <[email hidden]>,

    Serene said:

    What are you favorite freezable meals?

    I take any favorite casserole recipe for a 9 x 13 pan and make it in two
    9" square pans. One for dinner and one for the freezer. It helps keep
    our freezer stocked and works well portion wise since there are only 2
    or 3 of us eating dinner here.

    Favorites are lasagna, enchiladas, Mimi's baked mac and cheese (freeze
    before baking), my sisters greek chicken casserole (at bottom of page).

    We also will freeze soups, pesto, tomato type pasta sauces, teriyaki
    sauce and french bread/rolls. The bread can be easily heated up with
    dinner. The teriyaki sauce can become a quick marinade and the other
    sauces are quick to use for a variety of meals.

    Greek Chicken Strudel

    For the filling:
    6 boneless chicken breasts grilled and chopped
    6 cups (12 oz) loosely packed chopped spinach leaves
    3 T. olive oil
    1 1/2 cups minced green onions
    1/3 cup chopped fresh dill
    1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
    3/4 lb. feta cheese (2 1/2 c)
    5 oz (1 1/4 c) shredded jack cheese
    3 eggs
    1/2 tsp. Grated nutmeg
    1 tsp. Grd. Coriander
    1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper
    3/4 cup chopped walnuts
    Salt and pepper to taste

    For Assembly:
    9 - 12 sheets of filo pastry
    1/3 cup melted butter

    Place spinach with the water clinging to it from rinsing in a large
    frying pan and stir over med. Heat unit wilted, about 3 min. Drain well
    and squeeze dry.
    Heat the oil in a pan, add the green onions and cook until soft, about 5
    min. Place in a bowl with the chicken, spinach, dill, parsley, feta
    cheese, jack cheese, eggs, nutmeg, coriander, cayenne and walnuts. Stir
    until well combined. Season liberally with salt and pepper.

    Preheat oven to 325 degrees. To assemble, brush a sheet of filo dough
    with melted butter and place in bottom on 13 X 9 pan., layer 2 more
    layers. Add _ of filling. Brush and add 2 -3 more layers of filo
    dough. Add second half of filling. Top with two or three layers of
    filo dough brushing with butter between each layer.
    Cook for 25-30 min.

    marcella

  3. Marcella Peek said:

    In article <[email hidden]>,

    Serene said:

    What are you favorite freezable meals?

    I take any favorite casserole recipe for a 9 x 13 pan and make it in two
    9" square pans. One for dinner and one for the freezer. It helps keep
    our freezer stocked and works well portion wise since there are only 2
    or 3 of us eating dinner here.

    Favorites are lasagna, enchiladas, Mimi's baked mac and cheese (freeze
    before baking), my sisters greek chicken casserole (at bottom of page).

    Thank you! I think the Greek casserole is a great idea. James loves
    anything made with filo dough. :-)

    Serene
    --
    Spin the auto-sig generator, and she says:

    "A true friend stabs you in the front." -- Oscar Wilde

  4. Serene said:

    What are you favorite freezable meals?

    Stouffers Sweedish Meatballs :-)

    -sw

  5. Marcella Peek said:


    Greek Chicken Strudel

    For the filling:
    6 boneless chicken breasts grilled and chopped
    6 cups (12 oz) loosely packed chopped spinach leaves
    3 T. olive oil
    1 1/2 cups minced green onions
    1/3 cup chopped fresh dill
    1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
    3/4 lb. feta cheese (2 1/2 c)
    5 oz (1 1/4 c) shredded jack cheese
    3 eggs
    1/2 tsp. Grated nutmeg
    1 tsp. Grd. Coriander
    1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper
    3/4 cup chopped walnuts
    Salt and pepper to taste

    For Assembly:
    9 - 12 sheets of filo pastry
    1/3 cup melted butter

    Place spinach with the water clinging to it from rinsing in a large
    frying pan and stir over med. Heat unit wilted, about 3 min. Drain well
    and squeeze dry.
    Heat the oil in a pan, add the green onions and cook until soft, about 5
    min. Place in a bowl with the chicken, spinach, dill, parsley, feta
    cheese, jack cheese, eggs, nutmeg, coriander, cayenne and walnuts. Stir
    until well combined. Season liberally with salt and pepper.

    Preheat oven to 325 degrees. To assemble, brush a sheet of filo dough
    with melted butter and place in bottom on 13 X 9 pan., layer 2 more
    layers. Add _ of filling. Brush and add 2 -3 more layers of filo
    dough. Add second half of filling. Top with two or three layers of
    filo dough brushing with butter between each layer.
    Cook for 25-30 min.


    Oooh does this sound good or what!! Filed and saved. Thanks.

  6. Serene <[email hidden]> dropped this news:5p0v5hFoqgrsU1
    @mid.individual.net: in rec.food.cooking

    Quoted message said:

    Hi, Gang,

    I'm going into the hospital for surgery next week.

    <slight snip for space>

    Quoted message said:


    What are you favorite freezable meals? Ideally, not hugely high in
    fat, though that's not the most important thing. Most important
    things are that it just has to be popped into the oven, and it's
    tasty. Cheap would be a bonus, too, as we're kind of strapped, and
    with a 60/40 insurance plan, that's not going to change any time
    soon. Don't get me started on the state of health insurance in this
    country. *deep breaths*

    You could do a big lasagne and make it a veggie lasagne. Soup is good or
    a nice hearty stew. Freeze some burger patties and have a package of buns
    on hand and some sliced onions (which can be frozen). Beef pepper steak
    is a real good freeze. When I make it in the wok I usually have a lot
    left over. I freeze it immediately and it is really good later on. I'm
    thinking lower fat here. The enchilada casserole is good that you've
    mentioned. You could also grill some chicken with some of your fave
    Mexican seasonings and freeze it. Have some of those tortilla bowls in
    the pantry along with a can of refried beans. Have some shredded
    cheeses, lettuce, onion handy and some diced tomato.

    If all else fails, go here for some ideas. I'm sure some of the recipes
    have canned soup in them but what the heck, live dangerously 😉

    http://busycooks.about.com/od/makeaheadrecipes/a/freezecasserole.htm

    Quoted message said:

    Yesterday, we had a chicken enchilada casserole from that batch I
    made the other week, but those are gone now, so I want to put in at
    least a couple things to tide the family over while I'm on my back
    (and not in that nice way that we like).

    Thanks in advance for your help!

    Serene

    Serene, my best thoughts sent your way. I hope you don't have a serious
    issue requiring the surgery you'll be having. Best of luck.

    Michael

    --
    Last words spoken before execution . . .

    "Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel."
    Executed in electric chair in New York.
    ~~ George Appel, d. 1928

    Send email to: michael at lonergan dot us dot com

  7. Michael \'Dog3\ said:

    Serene <[email hidden]> dropped this news:5p0v5hFoqgrsU1
    @mid.individual.net: in rec.food.cooking

    Quoted message said:

    Hi, Gang,

    Quoted message said:

    I'm going into the hospital for surgery next week.

    <slight snip for space>

    Quoted message said:

    What are you favorite freezable meals? Ideally, not hugely high in
    fat, though that's not the most important thing. Most important
    things are that it just has to be popped into the oven, and it's
    tasty. Cheap would be a bonus, too, as we're kind of strapped, and
    with a 60/40 insurance plan, that's not going to change any time
    soon. Don't get me started on the state of health insurance in this
    country. *deep breaths*

    If you find out you're terminal, you could put some bullets into some
    Fascists, as a thank you for their positions on health care issues.

    Quoted message said:


    If all else fails, go here for some ideas. I'm sure some of the recipes
    have canned soup in them but what the heck, live dangerously 😉

    http://busycooks.about.com/od/makeaheadrecipes/a/freezecasserole.htm


    I certainly wouldn't leave MY spouse that "busycooks" garbage, and
    expect her to eat it. Pizza would be much better.

    Quoted message said:


    Michael

    --Bryan

  8. Sqwertz said:
    Serene said:

    What are you favorite freezable meals?

    Stouffers Sweedish Meatballs :-)

    -sw

    Also for breakfast, Jimmy Dean breakfast bowls.

  9. Serene said:

    What are you favorite freezable meals? Ideally, not hugely high in
    fat, though that's not the most important thing. Most important
    things are that it just has to be popped into the oven, and it's
    tasty.

    We've had good luck recently freezing bean-based dishes like
    red beans and rice (minus the rice), Tuscan-style white bean
    soup (w/ kale and a small fraction of either ham or bacon),
    and standard vegetarian chili. These heat best stovetop rather
    than oven though, if that's a consideration.

    To include a starch component I will include corn in the veggie chili.
    Or, for the bean soup I will eat it topped with oat bran, wheat germ,
    or crackers. That saves the trouble of boiling up a batch of rice.

    Another thought is that tamales, so long as they are reasonably
    fresh, freeze/reheat really well (either microwave or steaming). I
    think you mentioned at some point you have a good source for tamales.

    And best of luck with the medical process....

    Steve

  10. Bobo Bonobo® <[email hidden]> dropped this
    news:[email hidden]: in
    rec.food.cooking

    Quoted message said:

    I certainly wouldn't leave MY spouse that "busycooks" garbage, and
    expect her to eat it. Pizza would be much better.

    <shrug> So stock up on frozen pizza for your spouse when you go in to the
    hospital for inpatient surgery. As for myself I'd make some soup/stew and
    put it in individual containers in the freezer. I'd make a big lasagne
    and freeze it in individual servings. Steven isn't real big on
    casseroles so I'd make plenty of ground beef patties and freeze them.
    I'd also brown a couple of pounds of ground beef and freeze it. He could
    thaw and warm it up and make tacos or whatever else he wanted.

    Michael

    Quoted message said:

    --Bryan

    --
    Last words spoken before execution . . .

    "Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel."
    Executed in electric chair in New York.
    ~~ George Appel, d. 1928

    Send email to: michael at lonergan dot us dot com

  11. Michael \'Dog3\ said:

    Bobo Bonobo® <[email hidden]> dropped thisnews:[email hidden]:in
    rec.food.cooking

    Quoted message said:

    I certainly wouldn't leave MY spouse that "busycooks" garbage, and
    expect her to eat it. Pizza would be much better.

    <shrug> So stock up on frozen pizza for your spouse when you go in to the
    hospital for inpatient surgery.

    Um, I don't know that she's ever baked a frozen pizza. I was thinking
    pickup or delivery.

    Quoted message said:

    As for myself I'd make some soup/stew and
    put it in individual containers in the freezer. I'd make a big lasagne
    and freeze it in individual servings. Steven isn't real big on
    casseroles

    I always thought of "casseroles" as something that old-fashioned
    housewives made when they wanted their husbands to take them out to a
    restaurant:

    Hubby: [getting home from work] Hi, honey, what's for dinner?
    Wife: Tuna noodle casserole.
    Hubby: You know, sweetheart, it's been a long time since I've taken
    you out to a nice restaurant.

    Quoted message said:

    so I'd make plenty of ground beef patties and freeze them.

    She would not be able to transform "those things" into burgers.

    Quoted message said:

    I'd also brown a couple of pounds of ground beef and freeze it. He could
    thaw and warm it up and make tacos or whatever else he wanted.

    That is also beyond my dearly beloved's skill level.

    Quoted message said:


    Michael

    Quoted message said:

    --Bryan

    --Bryan

  12. Bobo Bonobo® <[email hidden]> dropped this
    news:[email hidden]: in
    rec.food.cooking

    Quoted message said:


    That is also beyond my dearly beloved's skill level.

    OMG... she sounds like a younger version of my mother. In your wife's case
    I'd suggest a bunch of gift cards to various places you know she'll get a
    decent meal 😉 If she likes deli we'll send her up to my mother's place if
    you get sick.

    Michael

    --
    Last words spoken before execution . . .

    "Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel."
    Executed in electric chair in New York.
    ~~ George Appel, d. 1928

    Send email to: michael at lonergan dot us dot com

  13. Bobo Bonobo® <[email hidden]> dropped this
    news:[email hidden]: in
    rec.food.cooking

    Quoted message said:

    To Goomba:
    If you find out you're terminal, you could put some bullets into some
    Fascists, as a thank you for their positions on health care issues.

    Don't EVEN get me started on that issue, especially in this forum. What
    kills me is most docs don't have a clue what is going on with insurance
    industry etc. They just want to treat patients. They want to practice what
    they studied so hard, and sacrificed so much, for. They don't give a [censored]
    about the financial end of it.

    Michael

    --
    Last words spoken before execution . . .

    "Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel."
    Executed in electric chair in New York.
    ~~ George Appel, d. 1928

    Send email to: michael at lonergan dot us dot com

  14. On Fri, 02 Nov 2007 12:34:16 -0700, Bobo Bonobo® <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:
    Michael \'Dog3\ said:

    Bobo Bonobo® <[email hidden]> dropped thisnews:[email hidden]:in
    rec.food.cooking

    Quoted message said:

    I certainly wouldn't leave MY spouse that "busycooks" garbage, and
    expect her to eat it. Pizza would be much better.

    <shrug> So stock up on frozen pizza for your spouse when you go in to the
    hospital for inpatient surgery.

    Um, I don't know that she's ever baked a frozen pizza. I was thinking
    pickup or delivery.

    Quoted message said:

    As for myself I'd make some soup/stew and
    put it in individual containers in the freezer. I'd make a big lasagne
    and freeze it in individual servings. Steven isn't real big on
    casseroles

    I always thought of "casseroles" as something that old-fashioned
    housewives made when they wanted their husbands to take them out to a
    restaurant:

    Hubby: [getting home from work] Hi, honey, what's for dinner?
    Wife: Tuna noodle casserole.
    Hubby: You know, sweetheart, it's been a long time since I've taken
    you out to a nice restaurant.

    Quoted message said:

    so I'd make plenty of ground beef patties and freeze them.

    She would not be able to transform "those things" into burgers.

    So freeze them pre-cooked and all that has to be done is to put them
    in the microwave for 60 seconds or so to heat them up...

  15. "Serene" <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:

    I'm going into the hospital for surgery next week. I'll be gone for at
    least an overnight, and out of commission for a few days after that.

    I hope it's nothing serious, good luck with your surgery.

    Quoted message said:

    I want to leave frozen meals for James so that he doesn't end up ordering
    pizza the whole time I'm gone.

    Maybe make up some kind of chicken dish like piccata that
    can be reheated, or perhaps chicken parm?

    Chicken cacchiatore? I find that reheats well. Include some
    italian sausage and it won't be so repetative.

    Maybe make a pot roast with vegetables, that's always good
    for a few servings. A pot of chili. Minestrone. Mac n cheese.

    That's the kind of stuff I like to pull out of my freezer, along
    with pasta sauce, of course. If he's willing to boil up some
    store bought frozen ravioli, that's a nice dinner. He's got to feed
    you, too, for a few days, I imagine.

    Good luck. Please let us know how you're doing.

    nancy

  16. "Serene" <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:

    I'm going into the hospital for surgery next week. I'll be gone for at
    least an overnight, and out of commission for a few days after that.

    I hope it's nothing serious, good luck with your surgery.

    Quoted message said:

    I want to leave frozen meals for James so that he doesn't end up ordering
    pizza the whole time I'm gone.

    Maybe make up some kind of chicken dish like piccata that
    can be reheated, or perhaps chicken parm?

    Chicken cacchiatore? I find that reheats well. Include some
    italian sausage and it won't be so repetative.

    Maybe make a pot roast with vegetables, that's always good
    for a few servings. A pot of chili. Minestrone. Mac n cheese.

    That's the kind of stuff I like to pull out of my freezer, along
    with pasta sauce, of course. If he's willing to boil up some
    store bought frozen ravioli, that's a nice dinner. He's got to feed
    you, too, for a few days, I imagine.

    Good luck. Please let us know how you're doing.

    nancy

  17. Michael 'Dog3 said:

    Bobo Bonobo® <[email hidden]> dropped this
    news:[email hidden]: in
    rec.food.cooking

    Quoted message said:

    To Goomba:
    If you find out you're terminal, you could put some bullets into some
    Fascists, as a thank you for their positions on health care issues.

    Don't EVEN get me started on that issue, especially in this forum. What
    kills me is most docs don't have a clue what is going on with insurance
    industry etc. They just want to treat patients. They want to practice what
    they studied so hard, and sacrificed so much, for. They don't give a [censored]
    about the financial end of it.

    Michael

    'scuse me?!? Why is MY name attached to this post? I did admire the
    greek casserole recipe sent in...I hope I'm not "terminal" any time
    soon? LOL

  18. Goomba38 <[email hidden]> dropped this
    news:[email hidden]: in rec.food.cooking

    Quoted message said:
    Michael 'Dog3 said:

    Bobo Bonobo® <[email hidden]> dropped this
    news:[email hidden]: in
    rec.food.cooking

    Quoted message said:

    To Goomba:
    If you find out you're terminal, you could put some bullets into
    some Fascists, as a thank you for their positions on health care
    issues.

    Don't EVEN get me started on that issue, especially in this forum.
    What kills me is most docs don't have a clue what is going on with
    insurance industry etc. They just want to treat patients. They want
    to practice what they studied so hard, and sacrificed so much, for.
    They don't give a [censored] about the financial end of it.

    Michael

    'scuse me?!? Why is MY name attached to this post? I did admire the
    greek casserole recipe sent in...I hope I'm not "terminal" any time
    soon? LOL

    Your name is attached because Bobo Bonobo responded to you (To Goomba🙂
    and I piggy backed off his post to you 😉 I hope you're not terminal
    either.

    Michael

    --
    Last words spoken before execution . . .

    "Well, gentlemen, you are about to see a baked Appel."
    Executed in electric chair in New York.
    ~~ George Appel, d. 1928

    Send email to: michael at lonergan dot us dot com

  19. Steve Pope said:
    Serene said:

    What are you favorite freezable meals? Ideally, not hugely high in
    fat, though that's not the most important thing. Most important
    things are that it just has to be popped into the oven, and it's
    tasty.

    We've had good luck recently freezing bean-based dishes like
    red beans and rice (minus the rice), Tuscan-style white bean
    soup (w/ kale

    Oh, man, I love white bean soup. I'm definitely doing this.

    Quoted message said:

    and a small fraction of either ham or bacon),
    and standard vegetarian chili. These heat best stovetop rather
    than oven though, if that's a consideration.

    Chili's a good idea for James (I'm not a fan of the stuff); thanks.
    And yeah, stovetop is fine, too. Gonna make some soups, but smooth
    ones for me when I get back. I have some Andersen's split pea in the
    cupboard, and I'm gonna make a pureed celeriac soup before I go. We
    bought juice at the store today, and I have soymilk and
    tea-and-honey. (I don't know if I said, but this surgery will make
    my throat sore and my voice gravelly for at least a few days, and
    possibly 2-3 weeks.)

    <snip>

    Quoted message said:

    And best of luck with the medical process....

    Thanks!

    Serene

    --
    Spin the auto-sig generator, and she says:

    "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a
    heartless world, & the soul of soulless conditions. It is the
    opium of the people." [Karl Marx]

  20. Nancy Young said:

    "Serene" <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:

    I'm going into the hospital for surgery next week. I'll be gone for at
    least an overnight, and out of commission for a few days after that.

    I hope it's nothing serious, good luck with your surgery.

    It's pretty serious, but my chances are good; thanks! (If you want
    to know more details, the TMI is at the end of this post, after my
    ..sig quote.)

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    I want to leave frozen meals for James so that he doesn't end up ordering
    pizza the whole time I'm gone.

    Maybe make up some kind of chicken dish like piccata that
    can be reheated, or perhaps chicken parm?

    That's a good idea, as are the rest of your suggestions, and I have
    most of the stuff. Thanks!

    Quoted message said:

    That's the kind of stuff I like to pull out of my freezer, along
    with pasta sauce, of course. If he's willing to boil up some
    store bought frozen ravioli, that's a nice dinner. He's got to feed
    you, too, for a few days, I imagine.

    He can actually cook, and he rolled his eyes at me when I said I
    wanted to make stuff for him to have while I'm gone. He insists
    that I instead make some smooth vegan soups for myself, so that I
    have something quick and easy to eat when I get home, since most of
    the things he cooks are probably going to be too harsh for my
    throat. I have really good partners.

    Serene
    --
    Spin the auto-sig generator, and she says:

    We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has
    ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further. [Richard
    Dawkins]

    TMI: My left thyroid lobe is completely taken up by a big tumor.
    The chances that it's cancer are small, but they couldn't tell from
    the biopsy, so it needs to come out. If it's obviously cancer when
    they get in there, they'll take the other one out, too, and I'll be
    on thyroid meds for the rest of my life. Otherwise, I should be fine
    and dandy in a few weeks. I'll have a little less vocal range,
    though -- the nerves for the vocal cords are entwined with the blood
    vessels that supply the thyroid, so they'll get a little banged up
    in the process, but then I'll get most of my voice back, most probably.

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