advice on freezing meals please!

[mammaof4girls]

Hi, does anyone have any advice on freezing meals? I've never frozen whole meals before but im currently pregnant with my 5th child so having some frozen meals would be really handy on days I dont feel like cooking! im wondering if I can freeze these foods. I do a sauage casserole which has boiled potatoes, tomatos and onions in, a chicken and leek pie, beef and vegetable casserole (onion, potato, carrots, leeks, swede ect) its mainly the vegetables im wondering about. are they all ok to be cooked then frozen? also if I do freeze them whats the best way to defrost? should I get them out the night before and put them in the fridge or do I microwave them? thanks in advance & sorry for all the silly questions! x

[Clutterbugsmum]

Yes they all can be frozen, although potatoes can take on a funny texture when frozen.

Apart from potatoes the veg will be fine. I tend to get dinner out the day before and defrost in the fridge getting out of the about 30min before going into the oven. If I forget I defrost on the kitchen side (my kitchen does get hot) and cook making sure it piping hot before serving. I don't have a microwave so can not help you there.

[Tiredemma]

I started a thread about this recently and people gave some great responses- ill go off to find it!- hang on.

[Tiredemma]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/food_and_recipes/1987939-Does-anybody-REALLY-do-batch-loads-of-cooking-and-then-freeze-and-if-so-what-kind-of-things-do-you-cook

[mammaof4girls]

thanks ladies thats really helpful, the thread you posted is great thanks! x