I feel like I always want to try freezer meals but that I never feel like I can take something straight from the freezer to make into dinner… I get intimidated by a solid brick of frozen food and think it’ll never reheat equally so why try. Plus all the recipes that say you have to use it within 3 months also seems like such a short window…
Sometimes it helps to pull the brick out before you leave for work and just stick it in the fridge to defrost during the day. Less intimidating and less for you to do later in the day
We lose power at least twice times a year for several days at a time, so I'm somewhat leary of using the freezer on a regular basis. However, I love canning! I've got shelf-stable jars in my hutch of the pumpkin chili, wintry baked beans, as well as some summer vegetable corn chowder that I made in August, and a thick minestrone that we make with alphabet pastini that the kids call "ABC Soup". I bookmark all of your cookbooks at the canning-friendly recipes and fill up my shelves.
After pumping out so many cookbooks - I'm not surprised you're feeling it. Our lives are so fast paced and so many of us have people to take care of. Your post could not be more welcome. I use my freezer all the time now, so I never have to buy lunch when I go into work. Saves money and so much healthier. (I'm just about to make Tahini Fudge for the first time and it WILL be frozen to stop me eating it in one day.
I’m preparing to go help daughter when her second baby is born; she is vegan and loves your food so this is EXACTLY what I needed:all in one place. Thanks from me and future her!!
We are all on some cosmic wavelength because I have also been in major freezer mode these days!!!! Seriously, Michelle, what kind of sorcery are you practicing? So I make a batch of stew or soup and put in mason/ball jars, LABEL (thank you…more mystery food stories than I can share), and as the work week progresses, I just pluck the jars from the fridge and throw in my lunchbox.
You know, I've always wanted to be that person who plans ahead and freezes things. And yet...not so much. My hubby is having some surgery this Wednesday, and I decided I will make a double batch of the Pumpkin Chili, and freeze one batch of it. I have all the ingredients, which is a bonus! I even put it on my calendar as a reminder, because I WILL DO THIS. This will certainly save us in the upcoming weeks as he recoups. Thanks for the great reminder and giving us recipes that can feed us now, and the future!
I hope everything goes smoothly with your hubby on Wednesday! The chili will help and you can definitely do it. Take care of future you, she’s tired. I’m sure of it
Thank you. Your kind words made me cry. Yes, I am tired, but see the light at the end of the tunnel. Cooking is a wonderful way to reconnect and ground myself. Plus good healthy food will heal the mind and body. 💕
I find myself in the kitchen now. Some favorite music,a beverage on the counter, and cooking something Michelle (or Michelle-adjacent) is my happy place for the past few years. Best therapy ever!
THIS is why I love you! You are so generous and such a good teacher. You know my self-doubts before I voice them. I’m scared of the freezer (yes, I watched that Lucy episode growing up)! You just answered my questions about freezing stuff, including what freezes well (I like the snowflakes in the books, and now you’ve given me full on permission to take advantage of them!) Thanks for this and so much more. 🌯🫔🥟🍲❤️
Thanks for the reminder to label everything. I recently came across a mystery ziplock in my freezer closely resembling a petrified white…log? Turned out to be a shit ton of chopped onions that I have zero recollection of placing in the freezer.
I feel like I always want to try freezer meals but that I never feel like I can take something straight from the freezer to make into dinner… I get intimidated by a solid brick of frozen food and think it’ll never reheat equally so why try. Plus all the recipes that say you have to use it within 3 months also seems like such a short window…
Sometimes it helps to pull the brick out before you leave for work and just stick it in the fridge to defrost during the day. Less intimidating and less for you to do later in the day
I just created a stockpile of frozen burritos. I’m so excited! 😄 The next time I come home from work hungry and exhausted I’ll be saying OH YEAH! 🙌🏻
It’s the only way to live
Always looking for good freezer recipes, can't wait to try these out! An emergency log of cookie dough in the freezer also comes in clutch :)
yes as long as I don’t start slices pieces off an eating them
We lose power at least twice times a year for several days at a time, so I'm somewhat leary of using the freezer on a regular basis. However, I love canning! I've got shelf-stable jars in my hutch of the pumpkin chili, wintry baked beans, as well as some summer vegetable corn chowder that I made in August, and a thick minestrone that we make with alphabet pastini that the kids call "ABC Soup". I bookmark all of your cookbooks at the canning-friendly recipes and fill up my shelves.
Thanks Michelle for all the helpful hints on freezing. Also,somehow I missed Hungry as Hell- I’m gone have to pick up a copy😬
It’s a great one! The red pepper rice is a weekly staple over here
After pumping out so many cookbooks - I'm not surprised you're feeling it. Our lives are so fast paced and so many of us have people to take care of. Your post could not be more welcome. I use my freezer all the time now, so I never have to buy lunch when I go into work. Saves money and so much healthier. (I'm just about to make Tahini Fudge for the first time and it WILL be frozen to stop me eating it in one day.
Ohhh I bet it would taste delicious frozen though!!!
it's really hot in Melbourne this weekend - I will definitely be eating some frozen :)
"This is a freezer. It's not a time capsule ". That hit me hard. 🤣🤣🙄
😂😂😂
it cut me deep too lol
At least I'm in good company...
I love this post! This is really helpful. What is the bag you show in the picture? Is it compostable?
Yes! I really love all their lunch bags but I wasn’t totally in love with their garbage bags. They sell them at some Targets which is great
I’m preparing to go help daughter when her second baby is born; she is vegan and loves your food so this is EXACTLY what I needed:all in one place. Thanks from me and future her!!
That’s the sweetest gift you could give. A freezer full of food!
We are all on some cosmic wavelength because I have also been in major freezer mode these days!!!! Seriously, Michelle, what kind of sorcery are you practicing? So I make a batch of stew or soup and put in mason/ball jars, LABEL (thank you…more mystery food stories than I can share), and as the work week progresses, I just pluck the jars from the fridge and throw in my lunchbox.
yessss!!! I think soup in a mason jar for lunch is top tier stuff. It always looks fancy to me ❤️
You know, I've always wanted to be that person who plans ahead and freezes things. And yet...not so much. My hubby is having some surgery this Wednesday, and I decided I will make a double batch of the Pumpkin Chili, and freeze one batch of it. I have all the ingredients, which is a bonus! I even put it on my calendar as a reminder, because I WILL DO THIS. This will certainly save us in the upcoming weeks as he recoups. Thanks for the great reminder and giving us recipes that can feed us now, and the future!
Good luck on the surgery.
I hope everything goes smoothly with your hubby on Wednesday! The chili will help and you can definitely do it. Take care of future you, she’s tired. I’m sure of it
Thank you. Your kind words made me cry. Yes, I am tired, but see the light at the end of the tunnel. Cooking is a wonderful way to reconnect and ground myself. Plus good healthy food will heal the mind and body. 💕
I find myself in the kitchen now. Some favorite music,a beverage on the counter, and cooking something Michelle (or Michelle-adjacent) is my happy place for the past few years. Best therapy ever!
it's an honor ❤️
Sending you lots of love until it’s finally time to kick up your feet and relax ❤️
I swear you can read minds! I’m currently cooling creamy squash Mac and cheese from FAF on my counter to freeze! 🥰
I’m in your head!
THIS is why I love you! You are so generous and such a good teacher. You know my self-doubts before I voice them. I’m scared of the freezer (yes, I watched that Lucy episode growing up)! You just answered my questions about freezing stuff, including what freezes well (I like the snowflakes in the books, and now you’ve given me full on permission to take advantage of them!) Thanks for this and so much more. 🌯🫔🥟🍲❤️
This is so kind of you to say. Thank you so much and I know you’ve got this. Your freezer will be full in no time ❤️
Thanks for the reminder to label everything. I recently came across a mystery ziplock in my freezer closely resembling a petrified white…log? Turned out to be a shit ton of chopped onions that I have zero recollection of placing in the freezer.
I’ve learned the hard way just like you. No more mystery logs!
Hmm…freezing onions. I never thought to do this!! Thanks!!