OAMC- WMT???

OAMC- WMT?? (Once a Month Cooking...What are My Thoughts?)

Well, it's definitely a lot of work, and a lot of planning. I didn't get to everything on my "tall-order" menu, but I did get to some.

I think the key is to not have anything else planned for that day or two. Doctors visits, mattress deliveries, school drop off and pick up runs...Girl Scout cookie deliveries...State playoff games...they all hamper the cooking/preparation process. Having help is key... at least I think it would've been key for me...but I didn't have any!

It was fun. Would I do it again? Probably...just on a smaller scale. I may just double each recipe I make daily from now on and toss the extra meal in the freezer.

I'm definitely more motivated now to have a Freezer Swap party again. (think cookie exchange, but meals instead of cookies) with a few friends. We used to do that around October before the hustle-and-bustle of the holidays, and it was great fun.

Stay tuned on more about that...

It's been real, y'all! Enjoy your meals!!

Mickey Mouse Waffles

I made 1 dozen Mickey Mouse waffles (frozen in 2ct. individual bags for easy school mornings).



Ingredients:
Nonstick Spray
1 1/4 C. all-purpose flour (I mix 3/4 C. whole wheat pastry flour...so half is all-purpose and half is WW. pastry)
1 egg
1 1/4 C. buttermilk
1/4 C. sugar
1 heaping t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
3/4T. wheat germ
1/4 cup cooking oil
pinch of salt

Directions:
Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Use a pan with a nonstick surface or apply a little nonstick spray.
With a mixer, combine all of the remaining ingredients until smooth.
Pour the batter by spoonfuls into the hot pan (or waffle iron), forming 5-inch circles for pancakes
When the edges appear to harden, flip the pancakes...or waffles. They should be light brown. Cook on the other side for same amount of time, until light brown.

Makes 8 to 10 pancakes or about 5-6 waffles.

Individually wrap and freeze in freezer bags.

Creamy Italian Pasta with Chicken- OAMC (Meal in a Bag)

I love the convenience of those skillet meals-in-a-bag (think Skillet Sensations or Bertolli meals) but hate the sodium content...and the price!! Well, make your own! Easy, simple, and all set for a quick, homemade meal!


Ingredients:
1 box whole grain linguini
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, boiled and cubed.
red, green, yellow peppers (already sliced and frozen)
1C. tomato sauce
1/2 C. ricotta cheese
1/4 C. half and half


Directions:
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Toss with a little EVOO. Set aside to cool.
Mix tomato sauce, ricotta cheese and half and half in pot and bring to boil. Set aside to cool.
Place cooked, cubed chicken in freezer bag and freeze.
When Sauce mixture is cooled, pour into ice cube tray and freeze.

When pasta is cooled, gather a forkfull of noodles and twirl them into little "nests" on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Place in freezer. (these don't take too long to freeze).

When noodles and sauce are frozen, place all contents into freezer bag. (Pasta nests, sauce cubes, frozen cubed chicken, and frozen pepper slices.)

Preparation:
When you are ready to cook, pour the contents of bag into a skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Stir and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until sauce is melted and everything is heated through. About 5-10mins.

These also make wonderful gifts for giving to a new mom, homebound seniors, or anyone just needing a break from cooking!!

Rigatoni with Sausage and Peppers- OAMC (Meal in a Bag)

I love the convenience of those skillet meals-in-a-bag (think Skillet Sensations or Bertolli meals) but hate the sodium content...and the price!! Well, make your own! Easy, simple, and all set for a quick, homemade meal!

Ingredients:

1/2 box Rigatoni Pasta (or shape of your choice)

2 Sweet (or spicy) Italian Sausage links

1/2C. Ricotta Cheese

1C. tomato sauce

Red, green, yellow pepper slices (amount to your liking)

Directions:

Prepare the pasta shapes according to box directions. Drain, cool. When cool, scatter over a large cookie sheet covered in wax paper; freeze. (I coat mine with a little EVOO before freezing to help with sticking.)

Slice sausage into bite sized chunks. (Helps if the sausage is a little frozen...keeps it firm while slicing!) Brown in skillet. Allow to cool, then freeze.

Mix ricotta cheese and tomato sauce together. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze. (may take a while!)


Slice peppers thinly and place on cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Freeze.

When everything is frozen, place together in freezer bag.

Preparation:
When you are ready to cook, dump the contents of bag into a skillet over medium heat. Cover for 1-2 minutes, then stir. Continue to cook, stirring, until sauce cubes are completely melted and everything is heated through.

These also make wonderful gifts for giving to a new mom, homebound seniors, or anyone just needing a break from cooking!!

Cheeseburger Pasta- OAMC (Skillet Meal in a Bag)

I love the convenience of those skillet meals-in-a-bag (think Skillet Sensations or Bertolli meals) but hate the sodium content...and the price!! Well, make your own! Easy, simple, and all set for a quick, homemade meal!

Ingredients:

1/2 box pasta of choice (Chunkier works best: rotini, penne, rigatoni...I used rigatoni)

1/2 lb ground beef

14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, lightly drained

1T. butter

1 T. flour

1 C. milk

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

In a skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain and cool. When cool, scatter all over a large plate covered in wax paper and set in the freezer.

Pour tomatoes into ice cube trays and freeze (I added a little bit of sauce to mine, too!)

Prepare the pasta shapes according to box directions. Drain, cool. When cool, scatter over a large cookie sheet covered in wax paper; freeze. (I coat mine with a little EVOO before freezing to help with sticking)

In a skillet, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, until thickened and bubbly. Gradually whisk in the milk. Cook, stirring, until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese; add salt and pepper to taste.

Spoon one or two tablespoonfuls of sauce into ice cube trays (you want the ice cubes to be about half full at most). Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for several hours, until completely firm.When everything is well-frozen (the cheese sauce will take the longest to completely freeze), place contents together into freezer bags.

Preparation:

When you are ready to cook, dump the contents of bag into a skillet over medium heat. Cover for 1-2 minutes, then stir. Cover again, and continue to cook, stirring, until sauce cubes are completely melted and everything is heated through.

These also make wonderful gifts for giving to a new mom, homebound seniors, or anyone just needing a break from cooking!!

OAMC- Part II

Oh, I'm trying to hop back on the saddle of my fast-paced horse today. I've got one leg up, but I'm losing momentum! I got so much accomplished yesterday, I had big dreams for today!!
Last night was a late night for us, and this morning came all too quickly! I've been doing my best to play catch-up with what I had planned on completing last night after the game.

Here's what I've been up to between doctors visits, the preschool run, and waiting for my new mattress to be delivered:
(I became a little more motivated once the delivery men walked in and said, "Oh boy does it smell delicious in here!!" They didn't want to leave!! I'm a true hostess at heart and offered them a meal for the ride, but they said they couldn't.)


Chicken, Rice, and Gravy
Cheeseburger Pasta (skillet meal in a bag) Chicken and Wild Rice Pancakes
Creamy Italian Pasta with Chicken (skillet meal in a bag)
Rigatoni with Sausage and Peppers (skillet meal in a bag)
1 Doz. Mickey Mouse Waffles

Edited to say:

Once A Month Cooking has officially come to an en and I'm exhausted. So...what are my thoughts??
Here are my totals of what's now in my freezers:
1 Doz. waffles
3 pasta skillet meals in a bag
1 tray Chicken, Rice, and Gravy
1 double tray of ziti
3 servings low fat tomato "chili"
2 trays Beef, Rice, and Gravy
Potato Casserole
1lb. Maple Glazed Chicken (in marinade)

I'll easily get at least 15 meals out of this...with leftovers for Coach's lunch!!

Chicken, Rice, and Gravy

Ingredients:

2C. white rice, cooked

1lb. chicken breast, cooked and cubed

chicken gravy, prepared (amount to your liking)

Directions:

Line bottom of pan with small amount of chicken gravy (if desired.)

Top with rice.

Top with cubed chicken, then top with gravy.

Prepare for freezer.

Defrost overnight in refrigerator. Cover with foil and bake at 375° for about 45mins-1hr. Mix dish well. Top with more gravy if desired (we definitely do!)

Note: you can top with canned biscuits for the last 20mins of baking to make this into a biscuit- topped casserole dish.

Beef, Rice, and Gravy

Ingredients:

2lbs. ground beef, seasoned and browned

2C. white rice

2C. brown rice

beef or brown gravy...enough for two trays (amount to your liking)

Directions:

Prepare rice to package ingredients. (I like to mix brown and white together to give it a little different flavor, and brown rice is so much better for you!) Allow to cool. Line bottom of trays with rice.

Sprinkle each tray with 1lb. of ground beef each.

Top with gravy. (We like quite a bit, so I make one big batch of low sodium beef gravy...if needed after thawing and baking, you can always add more.)

Label and prepare to freeze.

Thaw and bake at 375° for about 20-30mins, until cooked through.

Note: after thawing you can top with canned biscuits to make this into a biscuit topped casserole .

OAMC- Part I

We were up and going early here at the Cozy Country household (well, at least I was!) I gotta get rolling...we're going to State's tonight!!!

Between getting all ready and dropped off at school, here's what I've got done off my menu so far...

Ziti (1 deep tray)

Low fat Tomato Chili (6 C...good for 3 lunches for my husband)

Creamy Tomato Pasta

Beef, Rice, and Gravy (2 trays)

Corn Flake Potato Casserole (minus the cornflakes...and bagged in individual portions, since I'm the only one who will eat it!)

For update on progress, click here.

Baked Ziti

The essentials:


1box ziti macaroni

1 lg. container ricotta

1lb. mozz., shredded (I shred my own)

4C. tomato sauce

1 egg

Directions:

Prepare ziti to package directions. Drain and let cool.

Mix remaining ingredients together in bowl. (save some mozzarella for top>)

Pour into cooled macaroni. Mix well.

Pour into pan coated with a small amount of tomato sauce.

Top with mozzarella cheese.

Prepare to freeze: I wrap my tin pan with foil, then apply tin top. Label and freeze.

Thaw, top with foil, and bake at 400° for 1hr and until bubbly. (I usually take the foil off the last 15mins. to allow top to brown)

Low Fat Tomato "Chili"

This recipe is called a "Chili", hence the chili powder. Since Coach is "Plain Jim" when it comes to spices, I made this into more of a chunkier stew, or "stoup".

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs lean cut boneless beef (I used leftover skirt steak already grilled)

2 1/2 cups fresh tomatoes, diced

14 oz can kidney beans (DO NOT DRAIN!)

1 large onion, chopped (I sub. 1t. onion powder since my husband despises onions...PS- he never suspects the onion powder!!)

1 tbsp chili powder (I omit)

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp oregano (I used 1t. since he loves oregano!)

1 tsp sugar

Directions:

In frypan with non stick cooking oil, brown beef. (If your meat is already cooked, you can skip this step. I pulled my steak right out of the fridge, and sliced thinly...this makes it so easy when it's firm.

Then I diced into bite sized pieces.

In large bowl combine remaining ingredients, stirring well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, add meat and simmer for about 45mins.

Allow to cool.

Pour into freezer container or bags, cover and freeze.

Makes 6C.

To serve, thaw overnight in refrigerator. If not in a casserole sized baking dish already, transfer it to one. Cover. Bake in 325 ° oven for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until beef is cooked through and tender. Stir and serve

Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:
1lb boiled chicken breasts, cubed: $1.79
1 pkg. ready pie crust, like Pillsbury (top & bottom): .90cents (on sale 2/$4, coupon doubled to $1.20)
2 cans cream of chicken soup (reduced fat): $1.96 (coupon used)
1/2 bag frozen peas: free with coupon
1 lg. organic potato peeled and cut into small cubes : .35cents

Instructions:

1. Place one pie crust in pie plate and bake in 350 oven for 15 mins just until beginning to crisp.

2. Peel and cut potatoes into small cubes.

3. Mix soup, potatoes, chicken, and peas together and pour into prepared pie shell.

4. Place remaining pie crust over top (you may cut and lattice it if you like)

5. Bake at 350° for 45mins, until brown on top and filling is bubbly.

Under $5, hearty, and delicious!!

If freezing: Place refrigerated pie crust in bottom of pie plate, but do not bake. Prepare filling as instructed, put on top of crust in dish, and place remaining pie crust over top. Wrap and freeze. Defrost in fridge, then bake at 350° for 45mins to 1hr. until bubbly.

OAMC- Giving it a Try...

Well, I'm going to do it. I've been thinking about it for months, and I'm finally going to take the plunge and try OAMC (Once A Month Cooking). I do freeze several meals a month when I double certain recipes, but haven't ever dedicated a day or two to preparing them. I'll only be participating on Monday though, since I have doctors appointments the three days after that. (optomistic about my hearing!!)
I received my flyers for our supermarkets sales starting today, so I'll stock up on several inexpensive items, and our local market where we get our organic beef and all-natural, free-range chicken has ground beef on sale and chicken breasts at a discounted price when you make a $50 order. I don't have a $50 order for there, so I'll go in with my mother and sister to bring the total up to $50, and we'll all benefit! Combining orders when making purchases for freezer cooking or bulk purchases really works well...everyone comes out with a little more in their pockets...usually!!
The following looks quite vigorous, and I may not get to all of it! But having the past two days housebound with help (husband home!!) I have gotten a lot done around the house, and am therefore able to prepare for my cooking endeavor! We will see what I really get done!

Here's what's on my menu for Cooking Day:

Ground Beef:
Beef Porcupine Balls
Cheeseburger Pop-Ems or Bacon Cheeseburger Buns
Pizza-Pasta Casserole
Cheeseburger Pasta (Skillet Meal in a Bag)
Beef, Rice, and gravy

Pasta:
Creamy Tomato Pasta (Skillet Meal in a Bag)
Stuffed Shells (will post recipe soon)
Ziti
Rigatoni, Sweet Italian Sausage, Peppers, Sauce (Skillet Meal in a Bag)

Chicken:
Chicken Marsala
Maple Glazed Chicken
Chicken and Wild Rice Cakes
Chicken-Potato Cakes
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken, Rice, and gravy

LunchBox Lunches:
PB Jammerz (GREAT for school...and can be made with our HFCS-free bread, and organic ingredients!!)
Low Fat Tomato Chili (I have left over skirt steak I will use)

Sides:
Corn Flake Potato Casserole


Some great resources when Freezer Cooking:
Mom'sBudget / Recipes
30 Meals in 1 Day

Linked to: Money Saving Mom and Life As Mom Freezer Cooking Days