Let Your Freezer Be Your Ally!


Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could conceivably serve any one immediately but how about putting meals in the deep freeze for prosperity. "Freezing" is the simplest, quickest form of food preservation and its a safe and convenient way to preserve food for months until you're ready to enjoy them.

Busy people especially can benefit from freezing prepared meals, particularly on week days when time is scarce. In the battle to get food on the table in a hurry, your freezer can be your best ally. Main, a home economist and caterer who has written many books concedes that the biggest challenge to preparing and freezing foods for the weeks or months ahead is finding the time and energy to cook in mass quantities.

The recommendation is that you begin slowly, with a few days' worth of meals, then gradually make your way up to building larger food reserves. In no time you'll have a reliable stockpile.

Freezer inventory should consist of a wide mix of meals. In winter, allocate space for soups, stews, and casseroles, but save room for breakfast and lunch items like muffins, bagels and sandwiches.

The freezer also can be a valuable tool in summer, when there's an abundance of fresh produce. Preserving summer harvest presents a unique set of issues, like how to store berries without damaging them or which veggies should be blanched before freezing. Also important is how to package, label items, and organize them in your freezer. Some foods freeze better than others, while others are just not meant to be frozen.

Below is an example of a recipe and sauce that can be frozen and placed in your freezer for future meals.

Meatloaf "Muffins" With Barbecue Sauce

Meatloaf Muffins:

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef,
3/4 cup oatmeal or dry breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs,
1/4 cup wheat bran,
1 can (5.4 oz/160ml) evaporated 2% milk,
1 egg,
1 teaspoon chili powder,
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder,
1/4 teaspoon salt,
1/4 teaspoon black pepper,

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. (190C).

Barbecue Sauce:

1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional)

To make the muffins:

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, oatmeal, bran, milk, egg, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Divide mixture evenly among muffin cups (12 cup muffin tin, greased), pressing down lightly.

To make the sauce:

In another bowl, combine ketchup, onion, sugar and, if using, hot pepper sauce. Spoon about one tablespoon sauce over each muffin. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until meat is no longer pink in center.

To freeze:

Wrap in freezer bags. Seal, label and date. Freeze for up to two months.

To serve:

Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Reheat thawed "muffins" in baking dish at 350 degrees F. (180C) for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Author: Susan Rutter -- Publisher, Nutritionist, and Instructor who assists patients and the public make healthy choices and changes in their lives. Web Site: Healthy YOUbbies - http://www.geocities.com/healthyoubbies/







Related News



Women, kids get nutrition - The Statesman

Women, kids get nutrition
The Statesman, India -15 hours ago
"The children, below three year, are weighed once in every month to examine their nutrition level and health condition," Mrs Mallick said. n sns Disclaimer: ...

Art's Way Manufacturing Announces New Facility Development for ADM ... - MarketWatch

Art's Way Manufacturing Announces New Facility Development for ADM ...
MarketWatch -21 hours ago
Left of the center corridor there are 4 each 976 sq. ft. animal rooms that support lamb and swine nutrition studies. Right of the central building are 4 ...

Medical Nutrition USA to Announce Fiscal 2009 Third Quarter ... - Trading Markets (press release)

Medical Nutrition USA to Announce Fiscal 2009 Third Quarter ...
Trading Markets (press release), CA -19 hours ago
Medical Nutrition USA develops and distributes products for the nutritionally at risk who are under medical supervision. Its products are used primarily in ...

NAD Issues Mixed Report on Nutrition 21 Claims - Natural Products Marketplace

NAD Issues Mixed Report on Nutrition 21 Claims
Natural Products Marketplace, Arizona -Dec 3, 2008
NEW YORK—The National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus reviewed advertising claims made by Nutrition 21 Inc. for the ...

DC Brands Signs Deal With Sports Training Legend - MarketWatch

DC Brands Signs Deal With Sports Training Legend
MarketWatch -11 hours ago
Starting this month, a full sized HARD Nutrition refrigerator and display will make our products the only nutritional products or supplements available at ...

Health counselor targets food to help women feel better - SouthCoastToday.com

Health counselor targets food to help women feel better
SouthCoastToday.com, MA -6 hours ago
She is a holistic health counselor certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition/Columbia University and also holds a master's degree in public ...
Why You Need A Health Care ProxyBoston Channel.com
all 3 news articles

Nestle Launches New Research Program on the Specific Nutritional ... - MarketWatch

Nestle Launches New Research Program on the Specific Nutritional...
MarketWatch -20 hours ago
NEW YORK, Dec 04, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- In the wake of the findings of its 5th International Nutrition Symposium, which explored scientific ...


Kids' school nutrition key to lifelong health - Newsday

Kids' school nutrition key to lifelong health
Newsday, NY -Dec 4, 2008
As we enter the holiday period traditionally known for its gustatory excesses, it's important to remember that children's nutrition remains a major public ...

A taste of nutrition in Bloomington schools - Minneapolis Star Tribune

A taste of nutrition in Bloomington schools
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN -Dec 2, 2008
Sofitel Minneapolis presented the idea to Bloomington public schools as a way for family and consumer science teachers to take their food and nutrition...

Nutrition Vibrations - Idaho Mountain Express and Guide

Nutrition Vibrations
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, ID -7 hours ago
Proper diet and nutrition can actually upgrade your genetic expression and immunity. It's never too late to get started. At this time of year it can be hard ...