How far in advance did you start freezing meals?

[Miss.September]

Just wondering how far in advance I can start getting my freezer full of meals for us for after baby arrives.

It'll be things like lasagnas and casseroles, etc, all cooked, just ready to be heated again.

I didn't do it first time around - DH had six weeks long service so he did all the cooking. This time I won't have that luxury and I'm not expecting any random meal drops so want to have plenty prepared.

Thanks!

[MummyNaomi]

Hijacking (PRM feel free to send me a virtual punch ) - and what meal ideas freeze well for a bit of variety. Am totally stealing PRMs idea and cooking in advance, but want a good selection of meals to rotate

[Emma09]

I'm totally going to drop meals off to you and steal precious newborn snuggles :-)



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[~Hestia~]

We have a chest freezer and I think I started about two months in advance with Moo, I was sooo obsessed

I made a meat lasagna, chicken lasagna, a whole heap of pasta sauce frozen in portions, gnocchi bake, chicken casserole, beef casserole, chicken stroganoff, sausage hotpot, curried sausages, chicken & corn soup, lamb & veggie soup, sausage rolls, pies...that's all I can think of.

We have a vac sealer so it was all vac sealed and kept for months! Happy cooking!

[MummyNaomi]

Emma - where is the LIKE button

[Charlotte91]

I'm keen to start cooking and freezing. Bub will be here early July, so I know it's a bit early to start... Also, we have no freezer space.
Things like soup will keep for months. I'm a big soup eater, so that's what I'll be freezing. Pumpkin, Zucchini and veggie soup are my favourites.

I stole an awesome veggie soup recipe off a BB'ers blog (can't remember who!). You roast all the veggies first. It's to die for.

[Miss.September]

Nay - Hijack away!

Emma - You get newborn snuggles anytime!

Hestia - We have a chest freezer and forgot we wanted to get a vacuum sealer! Cooked food lasts for ages once they're in there, am I right? If I got one, I could start now?

Charlotte - I'm due mid July, was hoping that starting to cook in April wasn't too far in advance.

[Emma09]

Emma - where is the LIKE button

Thanks- ill send some to you also :-)

PAC- I do a mean pasta sauce, sausage casserole, beef and red wine casserole and curried chicken casserole.
I'm happy to help fill the freezer or drop them off fresh when the time comes?
Actually it must be nearly time for a dinner date again?
I'll make a roast?


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[Miss.September]

No way, Emma! It's our turn for dinner. But I'll talk to you on Tuesday

[veus]

We went & got a chest freezer for that reason. DH wasn't convinced at first. But now he keeps going to see what to have for dinner. ;-)

I started abt a month prior. I made curries, soup & stew-like dishes mainly to store. Mainly did meat dishes. We also have a rice cooker so whenever we cook rice (just abt every meal) I just shove some veg on the steamer & let it run with it.


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[Emma09]

Can I request chocolate puddings?


PAC makes the most delicious desserts I have EVER tasted.


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[~Hestia~]

Hestia - We have a chest freezer and forgot we wanted to get a vacuum sealer! Cooked food lasts for ages once they're in there, am I right? If I got one, I could start now?

You certainly could start now As long as it's properly stored (and with vac sealing that means getting as much air out of the bags as possible) and frozen in a deep freeze, meals can last a very long time. I always dated the bags too to remember what to use first. Hope that helps!

[sloane]

i've been wondering the same thing - i didn't do it last time either (i think i bought one family meat pie from fergussons & put that in our big freezer ) but this time i'm definitely doing it! i was planning to start in the next couple of weeks - so with 7 or 8 weeks to go (eeek!). i've also been working so wanted to get that out of the way first.

without a vacuum sealer i'm guessing the meals last for a few months still?

[Mak]

You should check out the blog called Frost Bite - heaps of frozen recipe ideas. I have been looking for some starting school/juggling work help and she has lots of recipes and help about freezing stuff. All I need now is a bigger freezer, lol!

[HotI]

i froze meals this time, and am loving having meals ready to go.

pasties have been good too-great for quick lunch.

muffins ^ scones freeze well too and then chuck in m'wave or oven when you want thm.

[peanutter]

Things that I'm planning on doing this time include:-

* lasagne
* thai chicken curry (but mild, so I don't give bub heartburn!!)
* lamb ragout (also mild)
* potato and mince based con carne
* tuna bake (and I do these in little snack sized tubs, for a morning/arvo tea with a bit of protein and carb)
* bolognase sauce (we have one of those tupperware pasta cookers, so it almost makes itself... or you can just whack it on rice from the rice cooker, if you want it all done at the same time ...)
* mild curry (korma or rogan josh or balti, probably) with rice
* veggie soup

They all freeze and reheat really well

I'm also planning on getting to know my slowcooker really well! DH doesn't let me leave it on when we're not in the house, so it's basically been unused for the past 18 months ...

[sloane]

Im definitely including lunches and snacks as well - i found that i didnt eat from breakfast till dinner last time!

Nutter - tuna bake sounds like a great snack

Im thinking of making muffins and banana bread to freeze as well. And im going to stock up on hot cross buns too!

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[Miss.September]

I'm also planning on getting to know my slowcooker really well! DH doesn't let me leave it on when we're not in the house, so it's basically been unused for the past 18 months ...

Nooo DH! The best bit about the slow cooker is you can put it on and leave it. We do it all the time - even specifically using it if we know we're having a big day out, to know dinner will be ready when you get home is the best!

Thanks for replying everyone, I'm thinking that if I can't get my hands on a vacuum sealer, I might start cooking during April. That should be okay?