small freezer inventory

Sent dumplings, 3 lunchables, grilled chicken breasts, 1 gal. ketchup, 2 cheeseburger pasta, 2 beef stroganoff & 10# ice to big freezer.


Small Freezer
Main:
o Roast
o Ribs
o 3# chicken

Drawer:
o Caity's bream
o Bag of ice
o 2 ice trays

Door:
1-
o Baking soda
o 7 popsicles
o 2 freezer packs
o Marinated hamburgers

2-
o

defrosted freezer

one of the kids had left the door cracked open and it frosted up, so I defrosted it and this is what I put back (some things got put in the small freezer):

Shelf #1
o Sausage Toaster Scramblers
o Apple pie
o Frozen pizza (kids')
o 4 loaves sandwich bread
o Hamburger buns
o Lemon muffins
o Strawberry muffins
o Dinner rolls

Shelf #2
o Turkey pot pie
o Breaded chicken breasts (uncooked)
o Breaded chicken tenderloins (uncooked)
o 2 pks. Fried chicken
o 2 pks. Salisbury steak
o Green bean casserole
o Meatballs
o 10 # leg quarters
o Whole chicken

Shelf #3 (oamc)
o 2 lg. chicken pot pies
o 2 baked bean chili
o Beef stroganoff
o Crockpot pork chops
o Fajitas
o Sloppy Joes
o 2 bbq w/rolls
o Spaghetti & meatballs
o Pork chop special
o 3 burrito filling
o Baked chicken
o Meatloaf
o Garlic chicken
o Pot roast
o Baked bean dinner

Shelf #4 (meat)
o Boneless chicken breast
o 4 roasts
o Whole chicken
o Cube steak
o 3½ # ground beef
o ½ smoked ham
o 3-5# ground beef
o Pork roast
o 2 pks. Chuck steak
o Marinated hamburger patties
o 4 hamburger patties
o 3 pks. Italian sausage
o Lg. raw shrimp

Shelf #5 (meat)
o 10 steaks
o Slab of ribs
o 2 pork steaks
o Whole ham

Door #1
o 2 broccoli

Door #2
o 2 pks. Tortillas
o 3 pks. Mashed sweet potatoes
o Pineapple

Door #3 (lunch meat)
o 3 ham
o Chicken
o Turkey
o Hot dogs
o Ham hock
o Liver pudding???

Door #4
o 2 pks. Cocktail weenies
o 5# ground beef
o 4 hamburger patties

Door #5
o 2 meatloaves

Door #6
o 10# Fish

Pre-Cooking

I have 3 meatloaves in my freezer now, think I only have 1 "dump" chicken in the freezer, need to make more of those.

For quick meatloaf, mix it up (less the salt--salt intensifies as it stands) label it and freeze raw - when you're ready to eat just thaw, shape and bake.
Freeze chicken in your favorite marinade for a quick no-brainer meal. The meat will marinade as it thaws.

I have about 30 or so oamc meals, though, so I'm good on my pre-cooking, lol:)

Alright, let's start with cooking ideas that save us time by getting things ready before the meal, or PRECOOKING. Some cooks do a lot of precooking, while others prefer not to or haven't practiced the skill. These are a few ideas that we like, and everyone is invited to share what works for you.
PRECOOKING FAVORITES:
Brown ground beef and freeze it in family size portions
Cook and cut up chicken breasts for a quick addition to a casserole
Cut up fresh veggies right after you buy them and put them in the fridge for a quick snack or to convert into quick side dishes
Freeze chicken in your favorite marinade for a quick no-brainer meal. The meat will marinade as it thaws.
Wash your produce and herbs when you get home from the store (except berries--these should be washed just prior to eating to avoid rapid spoiling.)

Freezer Staples

I usually don't keep a bunch of meat in the freezer, b/c I usually buy according to what my needs are for my oamc'ing. But I do like to have these on hand for quick meals or to add to salads:
ground beef (browned, drained)
chicken breasts (already marinated)
pancakes (homemade & flash frozen)

Freezer staples that I have on hand now:
dumplings
oamc meals
bread
whole chicken
shrimp
lunch meat
a few convenience items
frozen pizza (need to get in the habit of making my own)

Tuesday:
Think of the freezer as an extension of your pantry. What are the things you need to keep in your freezer at all times? Just remember to make this fit what your family eats and likes--and you don't have to have a deep freeze. I personally do not have one, but have no trouble at all keeping a few basics in there along with other items.
Some Basics to consider: Meats, asst vegetables, doughs (puff pastry, phyllo, bread/roll), fruit (peaches, berries, etc), prepared sauces (leftovers fill this role nicely), 1 frozen meal per person in the house (just in case), precooked meats (such as chicken, ground beef), chopped onions, sliced bell peppers.

Tonight's dinner

was supposed to be eat at church night, but Jacob is home with a stomach virus.

So, tonight is Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad. I think I may even have some frozen meatballs I made before Christmas in the freezer:)

I Keep Spaghetti sauce in freezer for emergency dinners, potlucks, company or sick/new baby meals to take. We eat salad everynight for dinner and Garlic Bread can be made early in the day (homemade bread) or with whatever bread you have on hand, if it's truly a no-notice type of thing:)

Here are the recipes:

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Recipe By :Cherylann
Serving Size : 8
Categories : Main Dishes

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 pounds ground beef
1 onion -- finely chopped
5 cloves garlic -- pressed
1 cup celery -- finely chopped
1 cup carrots -- finely chopped
1 cup zucchini -- finely chopped
1 green pepper -- finely chopped
1 sprig fresh rosemary -- chopped
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon savory
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon salt and pepper
2 bay leaves
3 cans mushroom pieces -- undrained
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
2 boxes favorite noodles -- prepared as directed

Brown ground beef with onion, garlic, celery, carrots, zucchini and green pepper. Drain. Add to large pot.

Add spices, tomatoes, sauce, paste and noodles to ground beef mixture. Bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer on low for hours. Stir occasionally.

Discard bay leaves.

Garlic Bread

Recipe By :Cherylann
Serving Size : 12
Categories : Breads

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 loaf fresh baked bread -- cut into 1" slices
1 stick butter
1 sprig fresh rosemary
2 cloves garlic -- pressed
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon savory
1 teaspoon marjoram

Preheat oven to 350°.

Put butter, garlic and spices in large microwaveable mug. Heat for one minute until melted. Stir.

Brush on all sides of bread slices.

Toast in oven.