As a new mom, you’ll be lucky if you have time to sleep at all – spending an hour on dinner the way you did before you got pregnant is probably out of the question until your baby is old enough to spend time alone. Plus, the first few weeks after you’re home from the hospital, you’ll want to spend your time resting and bonding with this new member of your family – not slaving over a hot stove! That’s why it’s a great idea to find a few recipes that you like that freeze well. With a few hours in the kitchen before your due date, you can prepare family size portions of your favorite meals that just need to be heated up after the baby arrives.
The following are a few stand-by recipes that freeze well and can be stored in various portions, depending on the size of your family:
McCormicks Chili Packets
You’ve probably seen McCormick Seasoning Packets in the cooking supply aisles of your local grocery store – if not, check them out, as the chili mixes are surprisingly good. In most cases, all you’ll need is a pound of meat (typically ground beef or ground turkey), a can of kidney beans, and a can of tomato paste – just check the back of the packet to find out what you need to purchase. Brown the meat in a separate pan, then combine the ingredients in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and then allow it to simmer for as long as possible to allow the flavors to mix together. Add chili powder, cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to increase the spice to taste. Allow the mixture to cool and then freeze it in single-serving containers or larger Tupperware tubs.
Basic Lasagna
Lasagna may look complicated, but it’s actually surprisingly easy to make. Typically, you’ll need a box of lasagna noodles, a jar of spaghetti sauce, a tub of ricotta cheese and at least a cup of shredded mozzarella (although you may want to spice up the sauce or add herbs to the ricotta, depending on your preferences). Cook the lasagna noodles ahead of time until they’re al dente, and then remove from heat and drain. In a 13×9 pan, begin with a layer of sauce, and then add a layer of noodles and a spread of ricotta cheese on top. Repeat until you fill the dish or run out of ingredients, ending with a layer of sauce. Spread the dish with the shredded mozzarella and then cover it with tin foil. Bake at 350 degrees for at least 45 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Allow the lasagna to sit and cool for an hour, then cut it and freeze it in the desired portions.
Winter Pasties
Pasties are a common treat in the northern parts of the country, but they’re also a great choice for preparing ahead of time. A pasty is a meat and vegetable pie, typically comprised of ground or chunked beef, carrots, potatoes, onions and parsnips in a bread dough shell. A healthier variation can be made with seasoned ground turkey, or with additional vegetables of your choice. To begin, prepare a batch of bread dough and shape the dough into 4” round diameter balls. Cook your filling mix by browning the meat and roasting any vegetables you’ll be including. Allow the filling to cool, then press the bread dough into oval shapes, approximately ¼” thick. Place the filling in the middle of the dough and wrap the dough over the filling, pressing it closed with the tines of a fork. Brush the top of the pasty with butter or egg yolk and then bake until the dough is no cooked through. Freeze them completely cooked, then heat them up in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to eat.
