Let Your Freezer Be Your Ally!

Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could conceivably serve any one immediately but how about putting meals in the deep freeze for prosperity. "Freezing" is the simplest, quickest form of food preservation and its a safe and convenient way to preserve food for months until you're ready to enjoy them.

Busy people especially can benefit from freezing prepared meals, particularly on week days when time is scarce. In the battle to get food on the table in a hurry, your freezer can be your best ally. Main, a home economist and caterer who has written many books concedes that the biggest challenge to preparing and freezing foods for the weeks or months ahead is finding the time and energy to cook in mass quantities.

The recommendation is that you begin slowly, with a few days' worth of meals, then gradually make your way up to building larger food reserves. In no time you'll have a reliable stockpile.

Freezer inventory should consist of a wide mix of meals. In winter, allocate space for soups, stews, and casseroles, but save room for breakfast and lunch items like muffins, bagels and sandwiches.

The freezer also can be a valuable tool in summer, when there's an abundance of fresh produce. Preserving summer harvest presents a unique set of issues, like how to store berries without damaging them or which veggies should be blanched before freezing. Also important is how to package, label items, and organize them in your freezer. Some foods freeze better than others, while others are just not meant to be frozen.

Below is an example of a recipe and sauce that can be frozen and placed in your freezer for future meals.

Meatloaf "Muffins" With Barbecue Sauce

Meatloaf Muffins:

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef,
3/4 cup oatmeal or dry breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs,
1/4 cup wheat bran,
1 can (5.4 oz/160ml) evaporated 2% milk,
1 egg,
1 teaspoon chili powder,
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder,
1/4 teaspoon salt,
1/4 teaspoon black pepper,

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. (190C).

Barbecue Sauce:

1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional)

To make the muffins:

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, oatmeal, bran, milk, egg, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Divide mixture evenly among muffin cups (12 cup muffin tin, greased), pressing down lightly.

To make the sauce:

In another bowl, combine ketchup, onion, sugar and, if using, hot pepper sauce. Spoon about one tablespoon sauce over each muffin. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until meat is no longer pink in center.

To freeze:

Wrap in freezer bags. Seal, label and date. Freeze for up to two months.

To serve:

Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Reheat thawed "muffins" in baking dish at 350 degrees F. (180C) for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Author: Susan Rutter -- Publisher, Nutritionist, and Instructor who assists patients and the public make healthy choices and changes in their lives. Web Site: Healthy YOUbbies - http://www.geocities.com/healthyoubbies/

---

The Minefield Of Eating Out On A Gluten Free Diet

Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always... Read More

Ultra Refined Fish Oil - The New Generation of Fish Oil

Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized nutritional thinking around the world with... Read More

6 Power Foods For Your Heart

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More

Can Chronic Pain Come From Food Additives?

It is always amazing to me when I find a... Read More

Sports Nutrition Made Simple

Following these simple nutrition guidelines will allow you to lose... Read More

The History of Ambrotose® Complex

Ambrotose® - the Nutritional Alphabet of the "Sweet Language of... Read More

Male Infertility and Glutathione

Are You Half The Man Your Father Was?It is a... Read More

Nuts To You... Just One Way to a Healthy Heart

Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food.... Read More

The Macronutrient Balancing Act

Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice,... Read More

Being Proactive With Your Health Decisions

In today's world, there's a definite need to be proactive... Read More

The Wonderful Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet is now recognized as one of the... Read More

A Look at Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in milk. Cow's milk contains... Read More

Four Important Nutrients - Vitamin E, Selenium, Sodium and Potassium ? For Good Health

Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More

Alternative Therapies for Acid Reflux Disease

Acid Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a common disease which... Read More

Blueberry Picking Techniques

First of all you have to have a bucket. You... Read More

Manganese 101

Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a... Read More

Children Get Constipated, Too

Do you notice your child putting off going to the... Read More

Understanding Glyconutrients

You say you don't know what glyconutrients are? You are... Read More

Eating Instinctively

I start from the premise that eating instinctively means eating... Read More

The Importance of Good Nutrition in Keeping Your Smile Beautiful and Your Mouth Healthy

A beautiful smile and healthy mouth actually can come from... Read More

The Worshipful Company of Bakers

Bread is one of the oldest known recipes to man.... Read More

Protein Wont Make You Fat: Myth #1

How many magazines have you read where they tell you... Read More

Avocado - Ooh, What a Lovely Pear!

Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but... Read More

MonaVie Acai Berry Juice - The Tree of Life from Amazonian Rainforest...

What ancient tribes and people of the Amazon have known... Read More

Death, Aging, Rejuvenation (Part 1)

I would like to raise a question: Is Rejuvenation possible... Read More

Natural Foods Defined

With so many people concerned about natural and organic foods... Read More

Building Better Bones

"It is a bone-deep change you are going into, my... Read More

Is Eating a Raw Food Diet Actually Healthy for You?

Whatever diet you choose to live by, the food you... Read More

Eating On the Go: Healthy Choices While You Travel

If you have a business trip tomorrow morning, you've probably... Read More

Alcohol Addiction and Obesity

People who consume too much alcohol have good chance of... Read More

Why Digestive Enzymes Are Vital To Good Health!

Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More

3 Important Differences Between White Bread and Whole Wheat

For any kid who grew up eating doughy, thick Wonder... Read More

Fluoride in Drinking Water

Are there any benefits to be obtained from drinking water... Read More