Domestic goddesses out there -- ideas for meals I can prepare and freeze?

[Lorien]

We have a family of five coming to stay for 10 days over the Christmas period. I want to prepare as much as I can now, so we can all have fun whilst they are here. So, I'm now thinking of meals I can make next week and then freeze. The only meal that comes to mind is a beef stew. Does anyone have any other good ideas? (Preferably not involving turkey......) Many thanks, Lorien

Shepherds pie freezes well

lasagne?

and things like lasagne. Stroganoff is another one I often freeze.

curries freeze well

lasagne / bolognaise / meatballs

chilli con carne and any stew

pies.. and cakes freeze well

... or just go to Iceland!!

and don't forget that there's always the take away

Pardon the USA measurements, but this is something I love to make ahead and freeze. It is from marthastewart.com, and they suggest using it as a pasta sauce, or eating it over rice. I break up sausages and mix them in for my husband(I am a vegetarian) I also add some Tabasco sauce because I like things to be a little spicey!

Ratatouille

Serves 8; Prep time: 40 minutes; Total time: 1 hour
This vegetable stew can be eaten on its own, served with meat, fish, or eggs, or tossed with pasta. Ratatouille can be frozen in airtight containers for up to three months; reheat in the microwave or on the stove. Leave out the basil until just before serving.

1/3 cup olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 large eggplants (2 pounds), peeled in strips and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
4 to 5 medium zucchini (2 pounds), cut into 1-inch cubes
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 yellow or red bell peppers, ribs and seeds removed, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1. In a Dutch oven (or other heavy 5-quart pot with a tight-fitting lid), heat oil over medium heat. Cook onions, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in eggplant and zucchini; season generously with salt and pepper.

2. Add 3/4 cup water; cover, and simmer until vegetables are beginning to soften, stirring once, about 5 minutes. Stir in bell peppers; simmer, covered, until softened, 5 minutes.

3. Stir in tomatoes and thyme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Partially cover; simmer, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat. If serving immediately, stir in basil. (If freezing, leave out basil.)

Per serving: 179 calories; 9.6 grams fat; 4.2 grams protein; 23.1 grams carbohydrates; 7.1 grams fiber

Here also is a link to all the recipes that you can freeze

Thanks goddesses. I've got a good bunch to be getting on with here! But August24, could you explain what a Dutch oven is? Must be an American term?
Many thanks, Lorien

I would do something like eat out for three nights (ten days is an awfully long time to have 5 people-hope you like them!!)and have a take away for one night.
So that leaves six nights. Do a cold buffet for one of those. Then how about:

Curry one night (They taste loads better if made beforehand)
Beef bougignon one night (Again frozen)
Chicken casserole one night (Again frozen)
Pasta and sauce (Again frozen-something simple like tomato, chorizo and olives with a bit of chillie)

Leaves one night to do a 'wow' dish. In your situation I often make a Paella. V easy as once you've fried the base and added the rice, you pop the seafood on top (mussels and raw prawns), cover with foil and let it cook itself. Then garnish with lemon and flat leaf parsley and voila!!

Make up a big jar of home made vinaigrette beforehand (sooo much nicer than shop bought)and eke out above meals with bags of nice salad, hot crusty bread and/or potatoes and/or rice.
On the curry night, make a cucumber and yoghurt raita, mix finely chopped peppers,toms and onions with some cumin, and grate a load of carrots, fry mustard seeds until 'popping' and then tip in the grated carrots and stir. Three great liitle sambals to accompany the curry. Get some good pickles in too.

Breakfast-help yourself job (and clear away after youself)

Lunch-sandwiches (if around) Hopefully they'll be out tending to themselves.

Have a lovely time-hope they bring plenty of booze1!

A dutch oven is a large wide pot with lid, usually it is one of those enamal type ones(if you know what I mean) I use a large soup pot here, and have used a ikea wok too.

shepherds pie
bolognese sauce
chilli
stew
soup freezes too .. big chunky minestrone

depends how big your freezer is TBH

I would do something like eat out for three nights (ten days is an awfully long time to have 5 people-hope you like them!!)and have a take away for one night.
So that leaves six nights. Do a cold buffet for one of those. Then how about:

Curry one night (They taste loads better if made beforehand)
Beef bougignon one night (Again frozen)
Chicken casserole one night (Again frozen)
Pasta and sauce (Again frozen-something simple like tomato, chorizo and olives with a bit of chillie)

Leaves one night to do a 'wow' dish. In your situation I often make a Paella. V easy as once you've fried the base and added the rice, you pop the seafood on top (mussels and raw prawns), cover with foil and let it cook itself. Then garnish with lemon and flat leaf parsley and voila!!

Make up a big jar of home made vinaigrette beforehand (sooo much nicer than shop bought)and eke out above meals with bags of nice salad, hot crusty bread and/or potatoes and/or rice.
On the curry night, make a cucumber and yoghurt raita, mix finely chopped peppers,toms and onions with some cumin, and grate a load of carrots, fry mustard seeds until 'popping' and then tip in the grated carrots and stir. Three great liitle sambals to accompany the curry. Get some good pickles in too.

Breakfast-help yourself job (and clear away after youself)

Lunch-sandwiches (if around) Hopefully they'll be out tending to themselves.

Have a lovely time-hope they bring plenty of booze1!

Sorry-getting overexcited about food again..