The secret to getting making life easier in the kitchen during a busy work week is planning and preparation. As with all things, if you plan sensibly and well in advance, you can have a variety of meals prepared quickly and easily when you require them. Below we have ten different recipes, all of which can be prepared and then frozen. What is even better is that once they are required you can take them out of the freezer, the night before, to let them defrost and then in the morning, just as you leave for work put them into the slow cooker, and let the food cook all day whilst you are at work.
When you and your family arrive home, tired and exhausted you will be greeted by a beautiful and tasty meal that all the family will enjoy. And due to the fact that there are 10 different recipes available here, you will be spoilt for choice. Let us know in the comments which of them was your favourite. The only problem you may have is whether or not your freezer is big enough to contain all your pre-cooked meals.
Ginger-Peach Chicken
Freeze in a bag:
2-lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
12-ounce bag of frozen peach slices
1 red onion, sliced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
2 teaspoons ground coriander
Cook on high for 4-5 hours.
Serve with rice.
Beef Fajitas
Freeze in a bag:
2-lb boneless beef chuck shoulder roast
2 bell peppers, sliced
1 small onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon honey
Juice from 1 lime
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Cook on low for 8 hours. Shred beef with two forks.
Serve with warm tortillas, fresh sour cream and guacamole.
Potato and Corn Cowder
Freeze in a bag:
24-ounces red potato, diced
16-ounce package frozen corn
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
You also need:
6 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
Pour in chicken stock and mix. Cook on low for 8 hours. Stir in butter and heavy cream.
Serve with warm bread
Beef Stroganoff
Freeze in a bag:
1-lb stew meat
1-lb sliced baby bella mushrooms
1 onion, diced
½ cup apple juice
1 tablespoon beef stock base
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
Add 1 cup of water to ingredients, and cook on low for 8 hours. Stir in 1 cup of sour cream.
Serve with egg noodles or rice.
Chicken with Apple and Sweet Potato
Freeze in a bag:
1-lb boneless chicken, cubed
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 cup unsweetened Apple Sauce
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Curry Powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
salt and pepper to taste
Cook on low for 8 hours.
Serve with rice.
Chicken Alfredo
Freeze in a bag:
3-lb Chicken Breasts
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Italian Dressing Mix
8 oz Cream Cheese
Add 2 cups water to the ingredients and cook on low 6-8 hours.
Serve with fettucini noodles.
Split Pea Soup
Freeze in a bag:
1 lb dry split peas
2 cups of diced bacon
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 cup celery, chopped
2 cups carrots, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon thyme
2 bay leaves
You also need:
32-oz of chicken broth
Add 2 cups water and chicken broth to ingredients and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Meatballs and Tomato Sauce
Freeze in a bag:
One bag frozen or homemade meatballs
28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Cook on high 3-4 hours
Serve with spaghetti noodles.
Shredded Beef Tacos
Freeze in a bag:
2 1.5-lb chuck roast
2 tsp chicken bullion
1.5 tbsp Chili Powder
½ tbsp Cumin
½ tsp Garlic Powder
salt and pepper to taste
Add 2 cups of water to ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred beef with two forks.
Serve with taco shells, sour cream, salsa, guacamole and shredded cheese.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Freeze in a bag:
1-lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 lb carrots, peeled and diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon pepper
You also need:
8 oz wide egg noodles
8 cups chicken broth
Add 8 cups of chicken broth to ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add 8 oz of wide egg noodles and cook for additional 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Happy freezing!
via Cooktopcove