Ideas needed!

[misscake]

My mother is having knee replacement surgery next Friday and will be laid up for several weeks. My sister and I are taking it in turn to stay with her and my dad for the first week, but we'll eventually go back to work. I want to cook some meals in advance that I can freeze and they can re-heat as needed

Comments

[reservoir]

Enchiladas are (imo) simple to put together and can definitely be made healthy - you just need the proper tortillas and cheese and to make the filling healthy.

I may be biased because I've made them so many times and can do them in my sleep, but they are fairly straightforward.

[misscake]

Oh, that's a good idea! I've never made them, but my parents both like mexican food (as do I). Thanks!

[avidbeader]

I second this. I always make a double batch when I do enchiladas de mole so I can freeze lunch portions for the next few days.

Something else we do that freezes well is chicken tikka masala. Brown the chicken, dump the jar of sauce in, pour over basmati rice and freeze. You'll have to shop around a bit; some masala sauces are rather high in fat. We like Sharwood's for a good balance between not too much fat and the best taste outside of a restaurant.

[evil_erato]

A lot of pasta dishes will freeze well, actually. Penne, pre-cooked, with veg is easy peasy, and requires only making a quick sauce (garlic, olive oil or butter, a bit of wine and/or cream) - think of the skillet dinners in the freezer section. For something a bit more hearty, a beef stew with barley, or a chicken pot pie/chicken & biscuits/chicken & rice. Chili is good, too.

Man, this is making me hungry! ;)

[misscake]

Yeah, I totally should have waited until after lunch to ask because my stomach has been growling like mad.

Beef stew is perfect, as is chili. My parents aren't pot pie fans but some hearty chicken soup will definitely work as well. Thanks!!

[mad_maudlin]

You realize I just had to frantically google that quote to find the movie before it drove me crazy.

Somewhere I have a Better Than Sex Meatloaf recipe (I think prillalar provided it) that incorporates dry barley into the mix. I've never actually frozen it, but I've kept the leftovers for ages and it tastes amazing. Makes the kitchen smell like vinegar for a while, but so worth it. ::investigates::

[misscake]

Oooh, meatloaf!! Good idea! I would love to have the recipe if you can find it. Thanks!!

(That film is one of my favorites and that whole scene just cracks me up for some reason.)

[mad_maudlin]

Hmm, can't seem to find it now...will work on it, though!

[mad_maudlin]

HAH! Got it!

http://prillalar.livejournal.com/333838.html#cutid1

[misscake]

I love curry, but my parents don't, unfortunately. But this is good info to know for me! Thanks!!

[strange_selkie]

I've been living off a cauliflower cream soup recipe that freezes and microwave-thaws nicely. If you like, I'll type up the recipe!

[misscake]

Omg, that sounds amazing!! Yes, please!! Thank you!!