Meatball Soup- Amber C.
8 cups water and 8 cubes beef boullion cubes or 4 cups beef broth and a 24 oz tomato juice plain or V-8 style.
2 T olive oil
5 oz frozen spinach
1 cup celery chopped
½ onion chopped
1 c carrots chopped
2/3 t dried basil or 1 1/3 fresh
½ t oregano
2 cloves garlic minced
Salt and pepper to taste
19 oz cheese tortellini
10-15 meatballs, home made or not
Saute celery, onion, garlic, and carrots in olive oil and then add everything else and simmer 30-40 min uncovered. If you are going to freeze this cook the veggies, add the broth. Cool and when you thaw it add the meatballs and tortellini.There was not a drop left in the pan from this one! Everyone loved it, the kids had several servings each. I served it with a baguette that I had broiled with ricotta, garlic, and basil spread on top.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Mexican Lasagna
Mexican Lasagna
1 lb ground beef
1 onion chopped
1 envelope taco seasoning
½ cup water1 can refried beans
1 ¼ cups water
1 ¼ cups salsa (I like mild Taco Bell brand)
1 cup sour cream
1 4 oz can olives sliced
2 cups monterey jack cheese ( I like a mexican blend)
Lasagna noodles uncooked (not the no cook kind)
Brown the ground beef with the onion. Add taco seasoning and water simmer 5 min. In a baking pan, layer in the following order: noodles beef, cheese, noodles, beans, sour cream, olives, noodles, cheese, beef. Combine water and salsa and pour over the top.Thaw, bake covered for one hour, uncover and bake 10 more minutes with ½ cup reserved cheese. Let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting. I like to serve this with some fresh lettuce and tomatoes, and some spanish rice. For another flavor use corn or flour tortillas instead of the noodles, and use the salsa only, not the water
1 lb ground beef
1 onion chopped
1 envelope taco seasoning
½ cup water1 can refried beans
1 ¼ cups water
1 ¼ cups salsa (I like mild Taco Bell brand)
1 cup sour cream
1 4 oz can olives sliced
2 cups monterey jack cheese ( I like a mexican blend)
Lasagna noodles uncooked (not the no cook kind)
Brown the ground beef with the onion. Add taco seasoning and water simmer 5 min. In a baking pan, layer in the following order: noodles beef, cheese, noodles, beans, sour cream, olives, noodles, cheese, beef. Combine water and salsa and pour over the top.Thaw, bake covered for one hour, uncover and bake 10 more minutes with ½ cup reserved cheese. Let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting. I like to serve this with some fresh lettuce and tomatoes, and some spanish rice. For another flavor use corn or flour tortillas instead of the noodles, and use the salsa only, not the water
Mom's Beef Stroganoff
Moms Beef stroganoff
This is great hearty meal, one of my favorites. Serve over rice or wheat egg noodles.
2 pounds top round steak sliced thinly or stew meat cut into small chunks.
2 cups beef broth2
T butter
2 T flour
1 cup sour cream
Lemon pepper and salt
Brown the meat well and season with the lemon pepper and a little salt.
Remove from the pan and melt the butter. Mix with flour into a paste and cook for one min. Add the broth slowly while whisking constantly. Cook for 5 minutes until thickened. Take off the heat and mix in the sour cream until there are no white streaks. Add the meat back to the mixture and freeze in a gallon bag. Thaw and heat in a sauce pan over med heat on in a crock pot on low.
Variations:You can thicken the broth with a cornstarch slurry or use brown gravy mixes. You can also use this as a base for beef stew and add carrot, potatoes, corn and onions. Add satueed fresh mushrooms just before serving.Use small meatballs or deer steaks instead of the beef steaksWhen you thaw it, it will look kind of chunky or curlded. Just keep heating and stirring and it will smooth out.
This is great hearty meal, one of my favorites. Serve over rice or wheat egg noodles.
2 pounds top round steak sliced thinly or stew meat cut into small chunks.
2 cups beef broth2
T butter
2 T flour
1 cup sour cream
Lemon pepper and salt
Brown the meat well and season with the lemon pepper and a little salt.
Remove from the pan and melt the butter. Mix with flour into a paste and cook for one min. Add the broth slowly while whisking constantly. Cook for 5 minutes until thickened. Take off the heat and mix in the sour cream until there are no white streaks. Add the meat back to the mixture and freeze in a gallon bag. Thaw and heat in a sauce pan over med heat on in a crock pot on low.
Variations:You can thicken the broth with a cornstarch slurry or use brown gravy mixes. You can also use this as a base for beef stew and add carrot, potatoes, corn and onions. Add satueed fresh mushrooms just before serving.Use small meatballs or deer steaks instead of the beef steaksWhen you thaw it, it will look kind of chunky or curlded. Just keep heating and stirring and it will smooth out.
Turkey Chili
Turkey Chili
1 package turkey
1 onion
1 bell pepper
1-2 cloves garlic
2 T cumin
6-8 T chili powder to taste
2 cans black beans
2 cans kidney beans
2 cansred beans
64 oz low sodium V-8 or tomato juice
Brown turkey with onion, pepper, garlic, 1 T cumin, 1T chili powder, and salt and pepper. Add to crockpot with drained beans and tomato juice. Add chili powder to taste and add the cumin. Simmer on low all day.
1 package turkey
1 onion
1 bell pepper
1-2 cloves garlic
2 T cumin
6-8 T chili powder to taste
2 cans black beans
2 cans kidney beans
2 cansred beans
64 oz low sodium V-8 or tomato juice
Brown turkey with onion, pepper, garlic, 1 T cumin, 1T chili powder, and salt and pepper. Add to crockpot with drained beans and tomato juice. Add chili powder to taste and add the cumin. Simmer on low all day.
Raisin Bran Muffins
Raisin Bran Muffins
From Sparkpeople
3 cups raisin bran2
cups buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
1 ¼ cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda dissolved in ¼ cup water
Grease muffin pan
Preheat oven to 375C
ombine all ingredients
Bake for 20 min
Cool and freeze, grab one and microwave for 20-30 seconds for a fast breakfast!
I have also used Cranberry total in this recipe.
From Sparkpeople
3 cups raisin bran2
cups buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
1 ¼ cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda dissolved in ¼ cup water
Grease muffin pan
Preheat oven to 375C
ombine all ingredients
Bake for 20 min
Cool and freeze, grab one and microwave for 20-30 seconds for a fast breakfast!
I have also used Cranberry total in this recipe.
Baked Spinach and Ricotta Rigatoni
Baked spinach and ricotta Rigatoni
1 lb rigatoni
1 T olive oil
4 T butter
1 large shallot and 2 cloves garlic
½ cup flou
r½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
2 cups milk
Pinch nutmeg,
Salt and pepper
2 10oz frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed of excess water
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 eggs lightly beaten
8 oz mozzarella grated
Cook rigatoni for 2 min less than shortest amount on label,(only for freezer prep cooking) if you are having it fresh cook pasta al dente, drain and toss with olive oil.
To make white sauce: Melt the butter over med heat add the shallots and garlic for a few min until softened but not colored. Add the flour and stir until a soft paste forms. Gradually whisk in the wine and milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer whisking constantly and cook until thickened, add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Let cool slightly.Transfer cooled sauce to a large bowl and add the spinach, ricotta, and eggs. Mix in rigatoni and transfer to a 9 x 13 greased pan I do two 8x8 pans. Top with grated mozzarella. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 40 min. Remove foil and bake for 20 min or until cheese is browned and center is no longer runny.
1 lb rigatoni
1 T olive oil
4 T butter
1 large shallot and 2 cloves garlic
½ cup flou
r½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
2 cups milk
Pinch nutmeg,
Salt and pepper
2 10oz frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed of excess water
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 eggs lightly beaten
8 oz mozzarella grated
Cook rigatoni for 2 min less than shortest amount on label,(only for freezer prep cooking) if you are having it fresh cook pasta al dente, drain and toss with olive oil.
To make white sauce: Melt the butter over med heat add the shallots and garlic for a few min until softened but not colored. Add the flour and stir until a soft paste forms. Gradually whisk in the wine and milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer whisking constantly and cook until thickened, add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Let cool slightly.Transfer cooled sauce to a large bowl and add the spinach, ricotta, and eggs. Mix in rigatoni and transfer to a 9 x 13 greased pan I do two 8x8 pans. Top with grated mozzarella. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 40 min. Remove foil and bake for 20 min or until cheese is browned and center is no longer runny.
Freezer Burritos
Freezer Burritos Courtesy of Vince and Sarahbug!
Recipe:2 Cans (10 3/4 oz) Campbells Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup
2 Cans (4 oz) Diced Green Chiles
1 Can Refried Beans
1 Can Salsa Refried Beans
2 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken
2 Cups Rice
10-20 Large Flour Tortillas
Cook the Chicken and Rice separately then combine with the Soup, Chiles, and Beans.Season to taste.Split as you like among 10-20 Tortillas (15 makes a good size burrito)Wrap in foil and freeze.I would guess that these would stay good for a few months at least but, as ours never last longer than a few weeks, I have no idea.
They reheat very nicely (remove the foil first!) and are quite filling on their own with no sides.
Reheating time is about 1.5 Minutes thawed and 3 Minutes frozen.Nutritional Information
(Approximate, Based on 15 Burritos)
Calories: 340Fat: 8g Carbohydrates: 52g AND, because this is a Penny Pinching thread, the approximate price per burrito (again based on 15 burritos) is One Dollar.
Recipe:2 Cans (10 3/4 oz) Campbells Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup
2 Cans (4 oz) Diced Green Chiles
1 Can Refried Beans
1 Can Salsa Refried Beans
2 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken
2 Cups Rice
10-20 Large Flour Tortillas
Cook the Chicken and Rice separately then combine with the Soup, Chiles, and Beans.Season to taste.Split as you like among 10-20 Tortillas (15 makes a good size burrito)Wrap in foil and freeze.I would guess that these would stay good for a few months at least but, as ours never last longer than a few weeks, I have no idea.
They reheat very nicely (remove the foil first!) and are quite filling on their own with no sides.
Reheating time is about 1.5 Minutes thawed and 3 Minutes frozen.Nutritional Information
(Approximate, Based on 15 Burritos)
Calories: 340Fat: 8g Carbohydrates: 52g AND, because this is a Penny Pinching thread, the approximate price per burrito (again based on 15 burritos) is One Dollar.
Lazybear's Black Bean Lasagna
Black Bean Lasagna
This delicious lasagna surprises the palate with black beans, cumin and fresh cilantro, bringing a southwestern flair to a traditional Italian classic. This recipe freezes well, is great for potlucks and continues to be one of my most requested recipes. Yield: 8 servings
INGREDIENTS:1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese or equivalent amount yogurt cheese
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
½ teaspoon sea salt
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Organic Monterey Jack cheese or soy cheese
2 (16 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (26 ounce) jar prepared organic pasta sauce
½ teaspoon ground cumin
9 whole wheat lasagna noodles
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions (if you are freezing this there is no need to cook the noodles).
Drain and set aside.
Mix together ricotta or yogurt cheese, spinach, cilantro, sea salt and 1 cup of shredded cheese.
In a large bowl mash beans with a potato masher or fork; stir in pasta sauce and ground cumin. Spread a thin layer of this mixture on the bottom of an oiled 9 x 13 casserole dish.
Layer 3 noodles, 1/3 bean mixture, half of spinach mixture and 1 cup cheese.
Repeat layers, ending with remaining bean mixture.
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 1 hour. Uncover and top with remaining shredded cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro. Let set for 10 minutes before serving.
This delicious lasagna surprises the palate with black beans, cumin and fresh cilantro, bringing a southwestern flair to a traditional Italian classic. This recipe freezes well, is great for potlucks and continues to be one of my most requested recipes. Yield: 8 servings
INGREDIENTS:1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese or equivalent amount yogurt cheese
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
½ teaspoon sea salt
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Organic Monterey Jack cheese or soy cheese
2 (16 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (26 ounce) jar prepared organic pasta sauce
½ teaspoon ground cumin
9 whole wheat lasagna noodles
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions (if you are freezing this there is no need to cook the noodles).
Drain and set aside.
Mix together ricotta or yogurt cheese, spinach, cilantro, sea salt and 1 cup of shredded cheese.
In a large bowl mash beans with a potato masher or fork; stir in pasta sauce and ground cumin. Spread a thin layer of this mixture on the bottom of an oiled 9 x 13 casserole dish.
Layer 3 noodles, 1/3 bean mixture, half of spinach mixture and 1 cup cheese.
Repeat layers, ending with remaining bean mixture.
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 1 hour. Uncover and top with remaining shredded cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro. Let set for 10 minutes before serving.
Teriyaki Sesame Chicken
Teriyaki Sesame Chicken
15 0z teriyaki sauce
6 T sesame oil
4 cloves garlic minced
1 lemon juiced
1 T honey
1 T sesame seeds
2 pounds chicken (thighs or breasts)
Mix sauce together and add chicken. Freeze in bags in the serving amounts that you will use. Thaw and grill. -
I really prefer boneless skinless thighs for this recipe.
15 0z teriyaki sauce
6 T sesame oil
4 cloves garlic minced
1 lemon juiced
1 T honey
1 T sesame seeds
2 pounds chicken (thighs or breasts)
Mix sauce together and add chicken. Freeze in bags in the serving amounts that you will use. Thaw and grill. -
I really prefer boneless skinless thighs for this recipe.
Mini Turkey Meatloaves
Mini turkey meatloaves
from eatingwell.com
1 package lean ground turkey
1 med zucchini shredded
1 onion finely chopped1
red pepper finely chopped
½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 large egg beaten2 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
BBQ sauce (optional)
Mix together until just mixed. Shape into 12 balls and place in a greased muffin tin. Freeze or bake for about 25 min at 350 with BBQ sauce on top.
from eatingwell.com
1 package lean ground turkey
1 med zucchini shredded
1 onion finely chopped1
red pepper finely chopped
½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1 large egg beaten2 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
BBQ sauce (optional)
Mix together until just mixed. Shape into 12 balls and place in a greased muffin tin. Freeze or bake for about 25 min at 350 with BBQ sauce on top.
South of the Border Lasagna
South of the Border Lasagna
From Menus 4 Moms
1 lb ground beef
1 15 0z can tomato sauce1
8 oz can tomato sauce1
1 ¼ oz package taco seasoning
1 4.5 oz can chopped green chilies
8 12 in four tortillas
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
Brown ground beef with salt and pepper and drain off fat.
In another pan simmer tomato sauce and taco seasoning for about 10 minutes.
Reserve ¼ cup sauce.
Add meat and chilies to remaining sauce.
Place two tortillas in a greased 9x13 pan.
Layer with half the meat sauce and half of the cheese, make another layer ending with the cheese and pour the reserved sauce over the top.
Freeze or bake at 350 for 30 min. Serve with lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, and guacamole
From Menus 4 Moms
1 lb ground beef
1 15 0z can tomato sauce1
8 oz can tomato sauce1
1 ¼ oz package taco seasoning
1 4.5 oz can chopped green chilies
8 12 in four tortillas
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
Brown ground beef with salt and pepper and drain off fat.
In another pan simmer tomato sauce and taco seasoning for about 10 minutes.
Reserve ¼ cup sauce.
Add meat and chilies to remaining sauce.
Place two tortillas in a greased 9x13 pan.
Layer with half the meat sauce and half of the cheese, make another layer ending with the cheese and pour the reserved sauce over the top.
Freeze or bake at 350 for 30 min. Serve with lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, and guacamole
California Thai Flank steak
California Thai Flank Steak
1/3 cup soy sauce
¼ cup rice vinegar
¼ rice wine
¼ cup fresh lime juice
2 T sesame oil
½ small red onion sliced
¼ cup each chopped fresh mint and basil (thai basil if you can find it.)
3 T sliced fresh lemon grass
3 T crushed peanuts
3 T chili paste (I use sriracha)
1 T ground coriander
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 lbs flank steak.
Mix all marinade ingredients together and then add meat. Freeze all together. Thaw and drain off marinade. Grill steak until it reaches desired doneness. Let rest for 10 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain and serve on a salad or with rice.
1/3 cup soy sauce
¼ cup rice vinegar
¼ rice wine
¼ cup fresh lime juice
2 T sesame oil
½ small red onion sliced
¼ cup each chopped fresh mint and basil (thai basil if you can find it.)
3 T sliced fresh lemon grass
3 T crushed peanuts
3 T chili paste (I use sriracha)
1 T ground coriander
2 cloves crushed garlic
2 lbs flank steak.
Mix all marinade ingredients together and then add meat. Freeze all together. Thaw and drain off marinade. Grill steak until it reaches desired doneness. Let rest for 10 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain and serve on a salad or with rice.
Citurs Marinated Pork Chops
Citrus Marinated Pork Chops
Juice of 2 limes
Juice of 2 oranges
Juice of 2 lemons
2 T basalmic vinegar
3 T honey
1 T Dijon mustard
1 tsp paprika
3 crushed garlic cloves
1 tsp pepper
½ tsp salt
6 boneless pork chops.
Combine and freeze, thaw and remove chops from sauce. Grill until done, or brown on one side on a pan and add the marinade. Flip chop and cook until done. Remove chops and cook sauce until thickened.This is great with cous cous.
You can do this with chicken breasts too.
Juice of 2 limes
Juice of 2 oranges
Juice of 2 lemons
2 T basalmic vinegar
3 T honey
1 T Dijon mustard
1 tsp paprika
3 crushed garlic cloves
1 tsp pepper
½ tsp salt
6 boneless pork chops.
Combine and freeze, thaw and remove chops from sauce. Grill until done, or brown on one side on a pan and add the marinade. Flip chop and cook until done. Remove chops and cook sauce until thickened.This is great with cous cous.
You can do this with chicken breasts too.
Quick and Easy Alfredo
Quick and Easy Alfredo Sauce
½ cup butter1
8 oz package cream cheese (fat free is ok)
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups milk (skim fine)
6 oz grated parmesan cheese (the real stuff)
Pepper to taste.
Freeze.
To serve thaw and heat while constantly stirring. Serve over pasta.
Cajun shrimp alfredo.Grill one pound shrimp. Add to thawed sauce with Cajun seasoning to taste. I use about 1 T.
Serve over pasta
½ cup butter1
8 oz package cream cheese (fat free is ok)
2 cloves garlic minced
2 cups milk (skim fine)
6 oz grated parmesan cheese (the real stuff)
Pepper to taste.
Freeze.
To serve thaw and heat while constantly stirring. Serve over pasta.
Cajun shrimp alfredo.Grill one pound shrimp. Add to thawed sauce with Cajun seasoning to taste. I use about 1 T.
Serve over pasta
Chicken Tetrazinni
Chicken tetrazzini
2 cups chopped chicken
1 lb spaghetti cooked 2 min less than shortest time on the package
2 can fat free low sodium cream of chicken soup
1 can of milk
2 cups of italian blend cheese
1 tsp (or more to taste) of cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste2 T dried parsley.
Heat soup and milk together, add cheese and melt together.
Mix with the remaining ingredients and put into two one gallon freezer bags.
Thaw and bake at 350 covered for 30 min.
You could also substitute Tuna
2 cups chopped chicken
1 lb spaghetti cooked 2 min less than shortest time on the package
2 can fat free low sodium cream of chicken soup
1 can of milk
2 cups of italian blend cheese
1 tsp (or more to taste) of cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste2 T dried parsley.
Heat soup and milk together, add cheese and melt together.
Mix with the remaining ingredients and put into two one gallon freezer bags.
Thaw and bake at 350 covered for 30 min.
You could also substitute Tuna
Freezer meals
I started getting interested in packaging my own meals for my freezer when I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter. I knew that things were going to be getting busy around my house. It just happened that Deanna Buxton was a guest at our church's Enrichment night. She taught us all about her system of cooking and freezing meals.
http://seagullbook.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=358736&Category_Code=1035
I really liked her method, although I have changed things to fit my lifestyle. These are a few things that I do.
1. I usually just double what we are making for dinner that night and put one in the freezer.
2. If I get a great deal on a protien I will buy a lot of it and make a bunch of meals with it.
3. I have a girls nite with my good friends and each of us prepare a freezer meal to share.
4. I freeze a lot of meals in gallon freezer bags,I make my casseroles in disposable 8x8 pans.
I will be adding more tips to maximize your freezer soon, in the mean time enjoy these recipies!
Jeans
http://seagullbook.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=358736&Category_Code=1035
I really liked her method, although I have changed things to fit my lifestyle. These are a few things that I do.
1. I usually just double what we are making for dinner that night and put one in the freezer.
2. If I get a great deal on a protien I will buy a lot of it and make a bunch of meals with it.
3. I have a girls nite with my good friends and each of us prepare a freezer meal to share.
4. I freeze a lot of meals in gallon freezer bags,I make my casseroles in disposable 8x8 pans.
I will be adding more tips to maximize your freezer soon, in the mean time enjoy these recipies!
Jeans
My first post!
Welcome to my (other) new blog! I want to share all my ideas for frugal living and saving money here with you.
I will try to post everyday, but you know how life can be! If you would like to know more about something just let me know!
Welcome, welcome, I hope you enjoy the time you spend here!
I will try to post everyday, but you know how life can be! If you would like to know more about something just let me know!
Welcome, welcome, I hope you enjoy the time you spend here!
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