Great Recipe Book

I came across a great book to help me with making meals ahead of time and freezing them. The book is called "Dont Panic more Dinner's in the Freezer" by Susie Martinez, Vanda Howell and Bonnie Garcia. By the title of this book I would say this is not their first book in the series.

The Pulled Pork Sandwich recipe is one of our families favorite. This is also where the Italian Stuffed Meatloaf recipe came from.

I dont cook!

What if I dont cook!

Just when you thought you could weasel out of not bringing a meal! Here are 3 easy ways to still help out. 

1. Gift cards are always welcome. Yes the family would have to go and pick up the meal if they wanted it right away which may not work will with those that are ill. However all restaurants take to-go orders. You can pick it up and bring it to them. Or the family can save the gift card for an eventual time when they can get out. 
2. A friend of mine once ordered a pizza and had it delivered to the families house around dinner time. 
3. Warehouse stores (Costco and Sams Club) are excellent resources for those that dont cook. They will sell you an entire Lasagna or a whole box of quiche! With their large proportions the family can have leftover or freeze a second meal. This is a simple and convenient way to bring a meal in a hurry. 

Packaging and Freezing Meals

How to package a meal

Instead of throwing out those to-go boxes (plastic works best), old sour cream containers and old pie pans, save them in a paper bag in your basement. They work great for delivering meals. Garage sales are a great place to purchase used cake pans and casserole dishes that you can give away with your meal. 

Freezing Methods

There are a few different methods. 

1. Freezer bags work great for liquids such as soups, chili, gravy, stews. Get as much air out as possible and lay flat in the freezer
2. Foil and Plastic Wrap works great for semisolid food items like lasagna, casseroles, meatloaf and breakfast items such as breakfast burritos and sandwiches. You can either just cover the top of the baking dish with plastic wrap and foil if your freezing for a day or two. The other method saves space in your freezer and lasts much longer. Line the baking dish with foil, then plastic wrap (making sure you have to cover the bottom, sides and top of the dish). Let the food cool completely, seal the plastic wrap, removing as much air as possible. Seal the foil layer. Put the whole thing in the freezer and once the food has been frozen slip it out of the pan and into a freezer bag. 
3. Double wrap baked goods in plastic wrap and freezer bags. Muffins, rolls, breads, cookies.   

Date and label everything and always include baking directions.