Silly questions about batch cooking (to freeze whilst on maternity leave).

[polkadotdelight]

I have six weeks left in work before I start maternity leave and have started to carry a notebook so I can jot down ideas as I think of them/read them on Mumsnet.

DH and I are both vegetarian and I want to stock the freezer with easy foods to heat up during the early days with PFB.

I'm planning on buying plastic tubs so that we can defrost and microwave home made chilli, bolognaise, curries and soups (so we would only need to add cous cous, microwave rice or nice bread).

I was also thinking of buying foil containers so we can put pre-prepared home made veggie lasagnes and shepherds pies in the oven. Here is my silly question - should I assemble the lasagne/shepherds pie and freeze it as it is (i.e. without cooking it first) or should I cook it, cool and then freeze?

I was also thinking of roast sweet potatoes frozen in foil containers with some quorn sausages added so we would only have to bung it in the oven and add some frozen veg like peas (microwaved).

I was going to cheat and buy a few frozen pizzas too. Can anyone suggest suitable freezer meals I have not thought of? I'd like to try and do as much as I reasonably can in advance.

Thank you!

Watching with interest!

im going to cook then freeze but Im not sure if this is what others have done

Make a massive vat of tomato sauce for pasta. I'm taking about 6-7 tins worth of chopped tomatoes. Also roasted veg good too. Can be used for pasta sauce/bakes/with couscous etc etc. I do aubergine, peppers, red onion, courgette, tomatoes, garlic and herbs.

Spicey beans/veg chilli?

Have a think about lunch stuff as well. Soups (although slightly the wrong time of year)

A few sweet things are good to have as well. Maybe muffins/flapjacks/banana bread etc

Don't cook the lasagne or shepherd's pie - it tends to dry out and why cook twice? Just wait for the ingredients to cool down, assemble the dish and then freeze. You can cook from frozen. Remember that foil containers can't go in the microwave.

Samosas, falafel and soup can be frozen in plastic zip freezer bags.

You could make a supply of veggie burgers, pizza bases, and pancakes (although cook these in advance). Stack them between greaseproof paper then freeze in a bag. If you cook with beans and pulses (and can't find a tinned version) you could soak and pre-cook them then freeze in portions ready to use in a dish.

I've found filled pasta a great easy lunch during mat leave. I buy it on offer, split each pack into single portions and freeze. It cooks from frozen in minutes, I usually add some frozen peas/beans to cook too. You can stir through some Philly or similar once drained to make a kind of sauce. Very easy to eat one-handed!

These are brilliant! Thank you!