I've Decided To Make My Own "T.V. Dinners"

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

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Location
New Jersey
As ya'll probably know by now, I hate to cook. But every time I look at the size and cost of those boxed meals (Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, etc), I realize that they are not worth what they cost and I can do it better. So I decided that when I'm making something, I'll make enough to be able to freeze at least one serving. Week before last it was homemade chili, as well as broccoli-seafood stir fry. Last week it was tuna noodle casserole. This week will probably be corn chowder.

Besides what I make "from scratch" (well almost), I keep Prima Pasta spinach-mozzarella ravioli in the freezer. I just need to add the sauce and usually a little more shredded mozzarella. I also have Michael Angelo's eggplant parmesan on hand. Steam some broccoli in the microwave for 3-1/2 to 4 minutes and I've got a meal. Also my naan bread pizza can be ready in about 6 or 7 minutes.

Do you cook enough to freeze for a later date?
 

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With just the two of us here, trying to "modify" most recipes to feed just 2 people can be a bit difficult. So, my wife cooks 2 or 3 big meals each week, and we dine on the leftovers on the days when she doesn't cook. In many cases, the leftovers taste better than the original meal.
 

Don M. said:
With just the two of us here, trying to "modify" most recipes to feed just 2 people can be a bit difficult. So, my wife cooks 2 or 3 big meals each week, and we dine on the leftovers on the days when she doesn't cook. In many cases, the leftovers taste better than the original meal.
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I agree Don. I've tasted several foods that tasted better the second time around. I believe it gives the seasonings more time to seep in.
 
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I don't often batch cook meals. It's a matter of remembering that they're in the freezer and have to be thawed. As a result, some are left far too long and end up being dumped. The one exception is individual meat pies which we make, maybe 12 at a time. These have fillings like steak & kidney, steak & mushroom, mutton etc..

Tonight I'm making a pork & lentil casserole. There's enough pork for two meals, so I likely will freeze one. I just have to remember that it's there.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
As ya'll probably know by now, I hate to cook. But every time I look at the size and cost of those boxed meals (Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, etc), I realize that they are not worth what they cost and I can do it better. So I decided that when I'm making something, I'll make enough to be able to freeze at least one serving. Week before last it was homemade chili, as well as broccoli-seafood stir fry. Last week it was tuna noodle casserole. This week will probably be corn chowder.

Besides what I make "from scratch" (well almost), I keep Prima Pasta spinach - mozzarella ravioli in the freezer. I just need to add the sauce and usually a little more shredded mozzarella. I also have Michael Angelo's eggplant parmesan on hand. Steam some broccoli in the microwave for 3-1/2 to 4 minutes and I've got a meal. Also my naan bread pizza can be ready in about 6 or 7 minutes.

Do you cook enough to freeze for a later date?
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Sometimes I do. Since I don't get home till 11:30 at night now my diet has changed. I do not feel like cooking at that hour. Usually have something I can microwave. I have some Healthy choice dinners in the freezer. I eat them with salad.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
As ya'll probably know by now, I hate to cook. But every time I look at the size and cost of those boxed meals (Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, etc), I realize that they are not worth what they cost and I can do it better. So I decided that when I'm making something, I'll make enough to be able to freeze at least one serving. Week before last it was homemade chili, as well as broccoli-seafood stir fry. Last week it was tuna noodle casserole. This week will probably be corn chowder.

Besides what I make "from scratch" (well almost), I keep Prima Pasta spinach - mozzarella ravioli in the freezer. I just need to add the sauce and usually a little more shredded mozzarella. I also have Michael Angelo's eggplant parmesan on hand. Steam some broccoli in the microwave for 3-1/2 to 4 minutes and I've got a meal. Also my naan bread pizza can be ready in about 6 or 7 minutes.

Do you cook enough to freeze for a later date?
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I'm getting hungry. Eggplant parmesan sounds good.
 
I have done that for a long time now. Switching to cooking for one was a big adjustment. Now that I eat ketovore mostly, meat is the biggest part of my meals. So I cook something like a roast or ribs in the IP and have leftovers. Instead of freezing it I just eat it over the next few days. I like leftovers and sometimes even eat them for breakfast. I do not have a freezer, just the one in the refrigerator so space is limited.

I keep a magnetic dry board on the refrigerator door and have a list of what I have in the refrigerator presently. If I use it up I erase it from the list.
 
Capt Lightning said:
I don't often batch cook meals. It's a matter of remembering that they're in the freezer and have to be thawed. As a result, some are left far too long and end up being dumped. The one exception is individual meat pies which we make, maybe 12 at a time. These have fillings like steak & kidney, steak & mushroom, mutton etc..

Tonight I'm making a pork & lentil casserole. There's enough pork for two meals, so I likely will freeze one. I just have to remember that it's there.
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You just have to get into the habit each day of going to the freezer and taking out food to that overnight in the fridge..
 
JaniceM said:
That's absolutely the case with pasta dishes. In my opinion anyway.
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Yes, especially macaroni salad. I've found it so with potato salad as well.
@Capt Lightning What do you freeze your meals in? If they are in plastic containers, they shouldn't go bad for quite awhile. I've also found that using Cheerios bags make great freezer bags and add an extra measure of protection for foods I don't freeze in plastic containers. I use them to double bag bread, rolls and things I don't eat that often.
 
If you looked in my freezer you would almost always find: spaghetti sauce, chicken tetrazzini, chili con carne, meatloaf, beef burgundy, and home-made pizza.
In my frig you'r usually find either, potato salad, macaroni salad and or cole slaw.
I figure that if I'm going to the trouble of making a dish, I might as well cook large and then store it.
 
senior chef said:
If you looked in my freezer you would almost always find: spaghetti sauce, chicken tetrazzini, chili con carne, meatloaf, beef burgundy, and home-made pizza.
In my frig you'r usually find either, potato salad, macaroni salad and or cole slaw.
I figure that if I'm going to the trouble of making a dish, I might as well cook large and then store it.
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Sounds so good! Now I'm craving potato salad again. Macaroni salad sounds good too.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
Yes, especially macaroni salad. I've found it so with potato salad as well.
@Capt Lightning What do you freeze your meals in? If they are in plastic containers, they shouldn't go bad for quite awhile. I've also found that using Cheerios bags make great freezer bags and add an extra measure of protection for foods I don't freeze in plastic containers. I use them to double bag bread, rolls and things I don't eat that often.
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and cooked pasta dishes, too.
 
I found early on in my marriage that it was a waste of time for me to make batch meals, freeze and thaw out for another meal since my huzz despises and refuses to eat leftovers; he says it was because growing up poor, they ate a lot of leftover, "cheap" meals and he got sick of it.
 
I 'member back when married to a lady that tried this cook and freeze ahead of time...she cooked up about a dozen or so breakfast meals for microwave, then decided it was too damn
much trouble...so had to cook my own LOL.....
 
I didn't know you didn't like to cook @OneEyedDiva but I'll join that club and glad to know I'm not the only one.

I've never froze cooked food but I do like having leftovers in the fridge. As far as packaged frozen meals go, I buy them here and there because they are not cheap. I do like the Sweet Earth breakfast wrap and usually have that for breakfast on days I work. I can get them for under $2.50 each at Winco Foods or Target.
 
Remy said:
I didn't know you didn't like to cook @OneEyedDiva but I'll join that club and glad to know I'm not the only one.

I've never froze cooked food but I do like having leftovers in the fridge. As far as packaged frozen meals go, I buy them here and there because they are not cheap. I do like the Sweet Earth breakfast wrap and usually have that for breakfast on days I work. I can get them for under $2.50 each at Winco Foods or Target.
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'Till I read your post, Remy, I had never heard of Sweet Earth stuff, so I looked it up and wow do they look good, gonna have to try 'em!

Oh, and I don't like to cook either! ;)
 
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