So many of us just don’t have the time to cook every night, I know I don’t. But I would still like my family to have a healthy home-cooked meal. And it’s also great to bring leftovers for lunch the next day instead of having to go out and buy food. Well I’ve discovered some great freezer friendly meals that you can make in bulk and save. It’s been such a time saver and the meals taste just as fresh as if I just made it in my HealthMaster Elite that night.

What’s important to remember when saving food is to store it and reheat it properly, especially meats. Here are some basic tips on how to do it the right way.

• Cook everything at the right temperature initially to kill bacteria.
• If you know you will be saving the food, cool it as quickly as possible. Foods that remain in room temperature for over 2 hours can spoil. Also, you don’t want to pop it in the freezer right away either because this will cause your freezer to work overtime to cool down your steaming hot food.
• To cool sauces, soups or stocks – put in small containers and place in a pot filled with ice. For lasagna, casseroles and meatloaf – cut it into smaller pieces and put in stainless steel containers to transfer the heat to the plastic. Shallow pans also help disperse heat faster than deep pans.
• Be sure to use freezer wrap or heavy duty freezer bags to cover the meal to prevent freezer burn.
• Use air-tight containers.
• When reheating you should first run under cool water while still in the container to defrost or stick it in the refrigerator. Don’t let it defrost in room temperature because that causes bacteria to thrive.
• Quickly recook your meals on the stove.

Now you’re wondering what you can make quickly in your HealthMaster that is freezer friendly. Here’s a few of my personal favorites and some tips on how to save for later.

Turkey Meatballs w/ Spaghetti & Fresh Tomato Sauce (pictured above)
Make the meatballs and tomato sauce in your HealthMaster Elite and cook the spaghetti.
Meatball Ingredients:
2 lb. turkey breast, boneless & skinless
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups whole wheat bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic, peeled
3 eggs
1/2 onion, peeled
1/3 cup fat-free milk
Meatball Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cut the turkey into 8 cubes and divide into two batches. Place the first batch into the Pitcher. PULSE until ground. Pour into a bowl and set aside.
3. Repeat the process for the second batch. Pour into the same bowl and set aside.
4. Place garlic, onion, eggs, and milk into the Pitcher. PULSE to mix.
5. Pour the mixture into the bowl. Add cheese and bread crumbs to the bowl and mix well.
6. Roll the mixture into 20-24 meatballs and place on a cookie sheet. Place into a 350F oven for 10-15 minutes.
Freezer Friendly Tip:Use a re-sealable freezer bad to freeze the meatballs and take out only as many as you need at any one time.
Sauce Ingredients:
7 medium Italian plum tomatoes
2 small shallots, peeled
2 cloves garlic, peeled
8 fresh basil leaves
1 tsp. agave
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
5 sprigs of fresh parsley
pinch of red pepper flakes
freshly ground black pepper to taste
Sauce Directions:
1. Add all ingredients into the Pitcher. RUN at speed 8 until blended.
2. Pour mixture into a saucepan. Simmer for 35-40 minutes on low heat.
3. Serve over whole grain spaghetti with meatballs.
Freezer Friendly Tip: Store in small batches to use as a pasta sauce at any time.

Puréed Sweet Potato Baby Food
Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes
1/2 cup hot water
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients into the Pitcher.
2. RUN at speed 8 until blended.
Freezer Friendly Tip: Use ice cube trays to pour the baby food into. Then freeze to create bulk baby food to feed to your child anytime.

Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients:
4 cups butternut squash, cubed & seeded
3 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 large yellow onion, peeled & large dice
2 fresh sage leaves
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 apples, cored
sea salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions:
1. In a medium sauce pot, sauté garlic and onion in olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
2. Add all ingredients into the Pitcher. RUN until creamy.
3. Season with salt & pepper.
Freezer Friendly Tip: Cool it down in an ice bath then store in small batches.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Posts You May Be Interested In