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Monday, July 27, 2015

Methods for Adding Mileage to your Freezer Cooking Plan


There are a few special types of recipes that really add a lot of mileage to your freezer cooking plan - they can be prepared in minutes, but save a lot of time later. Try using just one or two of these ideas next time you freezer-cook, and watch the return on your investment of time multiply!


Seasoning packets 


Mixes like homemade Taco Seasoning can help you create a meal in minutes later.


Once you have the seasoning made, you're ready to make any of these quick dishes:
Black Bean Enchiladas
Chili Cornbread Casserole
Chili-Topped Potatoes
Fill Your Own Tortilla Night
Guacamole, Super Simple 
Refried Beans, Easiest Healthy
Veggie Fajitas
Southwest Black Bean Burgers
Mexican Haystacks
Black Bean & Corn Salad

Pantry Mixes


Homemade Corn Bread Mix, Muffin Mix, Pancake Mix, Cake & Cookie Mix and French Breakfast Mix can be prepared quickly (perhaps while waiting for another dish to simmer) and make for a quick meal or snack later.

For complete variations on each of these ideas, check out the Make Your Own Vegan Mixes tab 

Just Add Water Pancake Mix



Pumpkin Mini Muffins from Muffin Mix


Make 1 Mix - Make 10 Cookies!


French Crepes from French Breakfast Mix, GF, Top 8 Free, Vegan

Burgers 


These can be mixed up & formed in patties, but require no cooking until the day they're eaten (though they can be cooked ahead for microwaving on the day they're eaten, if you prefer)

Burgers & Fries Vegan Style

Vegan Sausage Patties

Southwest Black Bean Burgers   








Sauces


Some sauces can be prepared on cooking day, and then make dish preparation almost instant.

Yachni Sauce
Make Sauce Tonight, Have Easy Meals for a Week


Bread Dough


Having a dough on hand like this one can take 10 minutes of hands-on time, and allow you to have four nights of fresh, homemade bread over the course of a week or two.


Your simple double


If you're going to all the work to make a dish, doubling it means you can eat it twice for the same amount of work. If your family likes a dish a lot, and if you have the freezer space, this is a great way to go.

Cooking Ingredients for later use


Some ingredients take a long time to cook, but can be combined into a dish later quite quickly. For Vegans, cooking Beans, Grains, Lentils & even Pasta or Rice in advance for the freezer can prepare you for a lot of instant meals. This is especially helpful if you cook for one, and can freeze these ingredients in single portions. Many Omnivore cooking plans are centered around roasted meat for this reason. Holly over at "My Plant-Based Family" often does batch cooking this way, and has LOTS of meal plans that are focused around this method - like this one

This Post was featured at
A Life in Balance, 50+ Freezer Meals and Tips for Back to School



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6 comments:

  1. Great ideas as always! Gotta LOVE Pantry mixes, too!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for visiting - it's great to see you again! : )

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  2. Great list! I just posted a homemade baking mix today, great minds! :) Thanks for sharing, I'm trying to get back to more of this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your kind comments! Pantry mixes are such a big help : )

      Delete
  3. Saving time in the kitchen is such a plus! I love these great kitchen hacks especially sauces and taco seasoning. I love to spice up my dishes. Thanks for your sharing valuable tips with us on the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop Blog Hop. I'm pinning and sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for hosting & pinning & sharing - I really love your blog hop! : )

      Delete

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