Freezer Cooking: The Results and Recipes

I sure had a busy day around here. I got everything on my list done except the tortillas. Well, let me rephrase, the pork and chicken legs are still cooking, but will be done shortly. My back decided it was done for the day and rolling tortillas will have to wait for another day…maybe tomorrow. To view my menu for the month click HERE.

1. I got one package of chicken thighs cooked, chopped and in the freezer, ready to pull out for chicken enchiladas or chicken bacon alfredo bake. I like to use a big cup or a pitcher to hold my ziplocks for easy filling.

2.  I have enough shredded chicken taco meat for 6 dinners of tacos or burritos. I am not sure where I originally got this recipe, so I cannot give credit where it is do, but this is a staple in our house. I do several pounds at once and freeze in dinner sized portions.

Chicken Taco Meat

1 lb chicken (can be whatever cut you like, works well with breasts or thighs)

1 can rotel (tomatoes and green chili, I have also used a can of tomatoes and a can of green chili when I didn’t have rotel. I blend mine since hubby doesn’t like chunky tomatoes)

1 package of taco seasoning (I buy a big jug of taco seasoning at Sam’s club instead of the individual packets)

Dump it all in a crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours, shred and cook about 30 minutes longer. You can do it on low for about 6 hours or longer if you add some more water for liquid. Use in tacos or burritos.

3.  I made a double batch of  Lowfat Sourdough Blueberry Muffins. I did substitute unsweetened applesauce for the oil and added a few more blueberries. These are for Lance and I as Dallas doesn’t really care for my healthified muffins! I have exploding blueberries!

 

4. I also made some of these high protein blueberry muffins for Dallas. This is a new venture for me, I don’t think Dallas will like them but you never know. They are a bit strange tasting with so many eggs and the protein powder.

 

5.  Pizza dough was next. Lance and I stirred up 5 batches quick. I love this pizza dough. Last year I went on a little quest to find a pizza dough recipe that we liked. It took me about 6 months and a lot of trial and error to find one that we love and this is it. Better yet, it’s a no knead recipe. Just stir it up and let it sit. LOVE IT. I make it let it sit in the fridge for a day then freeze. To thaw, put it in the fridge the night before you want pizza or on the counter for the afternoon works too. It can sit in the fridge for up to 3 days and still be fine. I don’t bake mine quite as hot as the recipe calls for. I like it at 450° instead of 500°. I also form my dough on parchment paper then just plop the whole thing on the hot pizza stone in the oven for about 10 minutes.

                         Pizza Dough:  3 cups bread flour, 1 1/2 cups warm water, 1/4 tsp yeast, 1/2 tablespoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon sugar….stir it all up and put in a baggie or covered bowl and in the fridge.

6.  Using some pizza dough that I had made in the freezer. I decided to make ham and cheese muffin bites, a variation on this recipe, to use up some of the cheap ham I picked up yesterday. I was able to get 24 from one batch of dough. I used a spoonful of chopped ham and about 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar jack cheese per bite. Bake at 375° for 2o minutes. I figure we can use these for a quick lunch or breakfast. Just nuke for 30 seconds or so a piece. Yum.

7. Flour tortillas…these did not get done. Hopefully soon. This is the recipe I like to use. Do not try and cheat the rest times…you really do need them for the gluten to relax. Ask me how I know!!! I do have a secret ingredient that makes these super, extra yummy. Bacon grease. Yep, that’s right bacon grease instead of the oil/shortening.

8. After the crockpot chicken was done, I washed it and threw in the package of pork chops that I got on sale and made a quick BBQ sauce to simmer it in. Later I will shred it to use for sandwiches on this months menu.

9. After making the ham bites, I portioned out the rest of the ham. It made seven batches worth of ham and I also kept the bone to make some ham and bean soup in the future.

10. Last, I used the package of 13 chicken legs that I got for $2.53 yesterday! Score! I rubbed them with a homemade spice rub…don’t remember where I got the recipe or what it in it, so even I won’t be able to recreate these! I baked them for a while then brushed on some BBQ sauce, we like sweet baby rays, and baked for a bit longer. They are cooling in the fridge. Then I will put them in the freezer too. Although, I think we might have these for dinner tonight!

 That’s it. That was my day. I hope I can inspire you to try a bit of freezer cooking yourself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Yahoo Buzz | Newsvine