Joni's Pre-Baby Meals! :)

OK, I copied and pasted a lot.  So you wouldn't have to click each website.  But, if you need to see the original post, you can click on the title of each recipe.

Also, here's a link to lots of healthy freezer meals.  I haven't tried any of them, but you can check them out if you want.  http://thrivinghomeblog.com/healthy-recipes-index/healthy-freezer-meals-recipes/

I tried to choose meals that were healthy, but also easy.  We don't eat a lot of carbs, so you could always leave out rice or bread if the recipe calls for it.

Teriyaki Pork Chops 

Write on gallon-sized Ziploc bag: Teriyaki Pork Chops,  Cook on low 6-7 hours

Put Ziploc bag inside a large pitcher and wrap the edges of the bag around the pitcher.  Put all of the ingredients inside the bag.

5-7 pork chops, depending on size (or enough for your family)
salt and pepper
2 cloves minced garlic
2 Tblsp brown sugar
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/3 c. chicken broth

Squeeze to mix, lay flat, freeze

Pizza Bake

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef 

1 medium onion (optional), diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

8 oz sliced pepperoni

4 oz (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese

8 oz (2 cups) shredded cheddar cheese

12 oz Rigatoni noodles, cooked                 

15 oz pizza sauce

26 oz Spaghetti sauce

1. Brown meat, onion and pepper in frying pan.

2. Drain grease and add pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce

3. Combine all ingredients in a large crock pot (spray with non-stick spray first).

4. Cook on HIGH for 30 minutes and then LOW for 2 or 3 hours until the cheese melts.

Note:  This makes a lot of food, so I usually freeze half before cooking it.  Later it can be thawed and cooked in the slow cooker as directed above.  

(I divided this into two freezer “Tupperware” dishes and stuck them in the freezer.  I didn't add the cheese yet. Add the cheese when it's time to cook it.  I didn't cook them in the crock pot because the noodles always burn when I do it that way. I baked it until it was heated through.  Make sure you remember to thaw it out in the fridge the day before, otherwise it will take forever to cook.)

Chicken Tacos

Write "Chicken Tacos, Cook on low 8 hours, or high 4-6 hours" on the outside of a large gallon Ziploc bag.

Put the bag inside a large pitcher.  Wrap the edges of the bag around the outside of the pitcher.  Put all of the ingredients inside the bag.

Chicken (enough for your family)

1-2 TBS of taco seasoning (homemade recipe is below, or you can use a store-bought brand)

1 can corn  (We use organic)

1 can black beans

1 can diced tomatoes

1 TBS of green chili

Day of Cooking: Throw it in the crock pot, cook all day. Serve over baked potatoes, on tortillas, on a salad, etc!

TACO SEASONING (from http://cavemanfood.blogspot.com/2009/04/taco-salad-and-homemade-taco-seasoning.html)

ingredients:
2 T chili powder
1-1/2 T cumin
1-1/2 T paprika
1 T onion powder
1 T garlic powder
2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Marinara and Chicken with Veggies

Write on gallon-sized Ziploc bag: Marinara Chicken and Veggies,  Cook on low 6-7 hours, High 4 hours

Put Ziploc bag inside a large pitcher and wrap the edges of the bag around the pitcher.  Put all of the ingredients inside the bag.

Ingredients:

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or whatever works for your family)

4 cloves garlic

1 can of diced tomatoes & green chiles

4 ribs celery, chopped

2 small zucchini, chopped (about 2 cups)

1 green pepper, chopped

2.5 cups of spaghetti sauce

1 t. basil

bowtie noodles (or another version of your favorite)

 I added one can of tomato sauce to this because I didn’t feel like it was enough sauce for chicken and noodles and vegetables.

Directions:

1.    Chop Vegetables.

2.    Place all ingredients into slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4 hours.

3.    Cook noodles about 10 minutes before dinner.

4.    Shred chicken with a fork

5.    Mix cooked noodles with the chicken marina mixture

6.    Top with cheddar cheese and/or parmesan cheese.

7.    Enjoy!

If you’re planning to do this in the Freezer to Slow Cooker way, you’ll first chop the vegetables and then mix all of the ingredients into a freezer safe bag (except noodles).  Be sure to label it.  Freezing it flat takes up the least amount of room in your freezer. 

Pulled Pork

Write on gallon-sized Ziploc bag: Pulled Pork,  Cook on low 6-7 hours, or high 5-6 hours

Put Ziploc bag inside a large pitcher and wrap the edges of the bag around the pitcher.  Put all of the ingredients inside the bag.

            1 (4 pound) pork shoulder roast  

·         1 cup barbeque sauce

·         1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

·         1/2 cup chicken broth

·         1/4 cup light brown sugar

·         1 tablespoon chili powder

·         1 tablespoon yellow mustard

·         1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

·         1 large onion, chopped

·         2 large cloves garlic, crushed

·         8 hamburger buns (When you prepare the meal)

Dump all the ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 6-7 hours. When the meat is done, shred the meat with 2 forks and add back to the crock pot for a few minutes to absorb the juices.

We didn't eat it as a sandwich.  Just ate it plain.  So good!

Cheeseburger Wraps (you can double this and have it for two meals)

Cook this one and let it cool before putting it in the bag to freeze.  One of my favorites! 

1 ½ pounds ground beef

1 tablespoon ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

 Onion powder to taste

Brown beef.  Drain.  Add rest of the ingredients and let simmer for about 20 minutes.  Let cool before placing in a bag.  When read to eat, thaw out in the fridge overnight.  Heat in a pan over the stove.  Put sliced cheese in the middle of a wrap or tortilla.  (We use spinach wraps.) Place some meat over the cheese.  Bake in the oven until cheese melts.   (Or, I place mine in a grill pan and “grill” them until the cheese melts)

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

 Write on gallon-sized Ziploc bag: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo, Cook on low 4-6 hours, Serve over cooked noodles (We use whole grain noodles--any kind)

Put Ziploc bag inside a large pitcher and wrap the edges of the bag around the pitcher.  Put all of the ingredients inside the bag.

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds chicken breasts (or whatever works for your family)

1 (16 oz) bag frozen broccoli florets

2 (16 oz) jars Alfredo sauce

1 large green pepper, chopped

1 (4 oz) can sliced mushrooms, drained

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and mix together.

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours.  Serve over noodles.  

Slow Cooker Pineapple Salsa Chicken (I haven't made this one yet. But it looks easy!   And it's cheap enough to double for two meals)

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken (6-8 thighs or 4-6 breasts)
• 1 20 ounce can of pineapple, juice drained
• 16 ounces of salsa

Instructions

1. Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray
2. Place chicken in slow cooker
3. Top chicken with salsa and pineapple
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours
5. If freezing, place chicken in the bag and cover with salsa and pineapple. Freeze. Defrost overnight in the fridge and cook in slow cooker for 6-8 hours

Sesame Chicken 

Ingredients1 1/2 pound boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons dried onion
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 3 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds

Directions
Put chicken into crock pot.

Combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, and garlic. Pour over chicken.

Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through.

Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce.

Dissolve 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in 3 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened.

Cut chicken into bite size pieces and return to crock pot - can leave chicken in and simmer on low or serve.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice