Freezer Meal tips (Jennifer Clark)

• Fresh, raw potatoes on not freeze well in any recipe.


• Mashed potatoes can sometimes be frozen.


• Boxed, dehydrated potatoes can be frozen.


• Substitute commercially frozen potatoes in a recipe.


• Fresh, raw vegetable, except for onions and peppers, need to be cooked briefly, or blanched prior to freezing.


• Pasta can be frozen successfully but should be undercooked. Cook pasta for two minutes less than the shortest recommended cooking time. Add pasta AFTER the water is boiling and set your timer as soon as you drop the pasta into the boiling water.


• You don't need to cook your lasagna or manicotti noodles.


• Don't use instant rice in your meals.

When planning for 30 meals, choose only 15 recipes.

Freeze meal size, not recipe size.

Freezer meals can last from 3 to 6 months in the freezer.

Write you recipes on a 4 x 6 recipe card for easy access.

Shop the day before. Don't put things away.

Chop vegetables, shred cheese, cook chicken, brown hamburger, and thaw all meat the day before you are cooking.

Label your freezer bags before you put food in it.

Fold the top couple of inches of the bag back over itself.

Place food, such as chili, into a serving bowl to represent a specific family members portion.

Use disposable foil pans.

Freeze meals flat.

Thaw 24 hours before serving, if you can't then bake it for approximately 50% more than the recommended time.