Recipes

"It’s in the Freezes Beautifully section of my cookbook and I want to take something that freezes beautifully."

- Annelle, Steel Magnolias

I couldn't get this quote out of my head all day, as I spent all afternoon in the kitchen. As I'm mourning the loss of one child, I'm preparing for the excitement of another-- My cousin's little girl is scheduled to arrive via induction next Monday if she doesn't decide to show up on her own before then.

One of the best ways I prepared for Liam's arrival was to stock the freezer (we actually bought a small chest freezer for this reason) with food that we could easily pull out and pop in the oven when we couldn't cook. Our family is amazing, and we had so many people stop by with food for the first few weeks, but of course that tapers off, then you're left exhausted and starving. 

So today, I whipped up some of our favorites-- half will go in our freezer and the other half, I'll deliver to my cousin's house tomorrow morning. With so many of you expecting babies (either through pregnancy or adoption) or already busy with your little ones, I thought that I'd share the recipes of some of our go-to meals-- not things we'd eat every night, but meals that are great to have on hand in a pinch. These all "freeze beautifully" and are relatively easy to make.

One tip: I usually make the recipe as directed, then split it into two portions. Hefty EZOvenWare 1.5 Quart Casserole pans work perfectly-- they come in packs of two, so just put half of the casserole in one and the rest in the other! Best part, no dishes to wash (if you're making the casserole for you) and no dish to track down (if you're making it for someone else.)

Chicken Spaghetti

(The Fav)

• 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 12 oz of spaghetti, vermicelli or angel hair (12 oz boxes are hard to find, so if you can only find a 16oz box, use 3/4 of it. If you use it all, it will be too dry.)
• 1 can of tomato soup
• 1 can of evaporated milk (Pet Milk, 12 oz)
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• 4 slices of American Cheese
• 3oz can of Parmesan cheese (This is the small skinny can)
• Worcestershire Sauce to taste (about 1 Tbsp)
• Garlic Salt & Cayenne Pepper to Taste (about 1 tsp)

Directions:

1. Cook your chicken, then cut into small pieces. (I like to saute mine in a pan, but you could bake, microwave or grill the chicken.)
2. Prepare pasta according to directions
3. In a saucepan, warm tomato soup, chicken broth, and milk
4. Tear American cheese into small pieces and add to the soup slowly to melt
5. Add half of the Parmesan cheese, stir to melt.
6. Add Worcestershire Sauce, Garlic Salt & Cayenne Pepper
7. In a greased casserole dish layer chicken, then spaghetti, then sauce.
8. Mix everything together, then sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese on top.
9. Add some fresh ground pepper to taste.

*If you are going to freeze, go ahead and do this now. When you want to eat the casserole, either defrost at room temp for several hours or defrost in the microwave.*

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

*****

Poppyseed Chicken Casserole

(The Easiest)

• 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cans of Cream of Chicken Soup
• 8 oz carton of sour cream
• 1 tube of Ritz Crackers (crushed)
• 1 stick of butter or margarine
• Poppyseeds

Directions:

1. Cook the chicken, then cut into small pieces. (I like to saute mine in a pan, but you could bake, microwave or grill the chicken.) Spread across the bottom of a greased casserole dish.
2. Mix both cans of soup with the sour cream in a bowl, then layer on top of the chicken.
3. Spread Ritz crackers across the top.
4. Drizzle melted butter on top of the crackers.
5. Sprinkle Poppyseeds across the top. (Use as many or a little as you like-- I typically add about 2 Tbsp)

*If you are going to freeze, go ahead and do this now. When you want to eat the casserole, either defrost at room temp for several hours or defrost in the microwave.*

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

*****

Broccoli Chicken Casserole

(The Old Standby)

• 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 package of chicken flavored rice (I prefer Knorr Creamy Chicken-- used to be Liptons)
• 1 package of frozen chopped broccoli
• 1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1 can of Cream of Celery Soup
• 1 cup of Mayo (I prefer low-fat)
• 1 tube of Ritz crackers (crushed)
• 1 bag of shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Prepare rice according to instructions, then spread evenly at the bottom of a greased casserole dish.
2. Cook your chicken, then cut into small pieces. (I like to saute mine in a pan, but you could bake, microwave or grill the chicken.)
3. Cook your broccoli according to the directions. (I usually toss mine into a bowl and microwave for 5 minutes.)
4. Combine chicken and broccoli into a bowl and mix.
5. Combine both cans of soup & mayo in a separate bowl.
6. Take half the chicken/broccoli mixture and layer in casserole dish on top of the rice. Layer half of the soup mixture.
7. Repeat with remaining chicken/broccoli, then the rest of the soup mix.
8. Cover the top with shredded cheese.

*If you are going to freeze, go ahead and do this now. When you want to eat the casserole, either defrost at room temp for several hours or defrost in the microwave.*

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. During the last 10 minutes in the oven, sprinkle the Ritz crackers on top. 

*****

Chicken Tortilla Soup

(So easy, so good)

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tsp of minced garlic
• 2 Tbsp of olive oil
• 4oz can of green chilis
• 15oz can of Italian Style stewed tomatoes
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1 tsp of lemon pepper, cumin, chili powder
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

1. In a soup pot, saute onion, and garlic in oil until they soften
2. Add chilis and tomatoes, use a wooden spoon to break them up
3. Add chicken broth and all spices. Bring to a boil, then turn down and simmer 10-15 minutes
4. While soup is simmering, cut raw chicken into small pieces
5. Turn up soup again & bring to a boil
6. Add (raw) chicken and boil until chicken pieces are cooked through.
7. Freeze. (When serving, top with cheese, sour cream, cilantro, tortilla strips.)

I don't have much time to cook & I'm sure many of you don't, either. Hope that these help out with dinner!