Friday, November 30, 2012

Few hours, Great friend, 26 meals!!


My friend Christi and I got together and chopped chopped chopped!!! (Well I did a lot of garlic mincing. My hands STILL smell like garlic!)

We ended up making 26 meals to be frozen. When ready to use them just get them out the day before to thaw then stick in the crockpot for 4-6 hours. 


We had a ton of fun making these. Next time though we will stick to making about 10 so it won't take as long. :)



Meals we made:
Teriyaki Chicken (4 meals)
Teriyaki Pork Chops (2 meals)
Lazy Day Stew (4 meals)
Chicken Fajitas (2 meals)
Savory Chicken (4 meals)
Hawaiian Chicken(2 meals)
Ranch Pork Chops (2 meals)
Taco Soup (2 meals)
Honey BBQ Wings (2 meals)
Sweet and Tangy Chicken Legs (2 meals)





Directions for Bulk Preparation

1. Gather all the ingredients needed.  
2. Chop all of the veggies first. Dice all your onions, carrots, peppers, and mince your garlic.
3. Label your bags with the directions.
4. Add your meats. (I cut my chicken breasts longways before placing in bag.)
5. Add your veggies.
6. Add all other ingredients.
7. Let out air, seal bag, and lay flat.
8. Freeze.

Pull the bags out of the freezer the night before you want to use them so they will be thawed
when they go in the crock pot the next day.

Each recipe will give two gallon size bags. Each bag is enough to feed a family of 4ish for dinner.
Can use any leftovers for lunch the next day.  Don't forget to write the name of the recipe, the amount of people it will feed, and how long to put it in the crockpot.



IDEAS WE LEARNED WHILE DOING THIS:
1. Some of the recipes we could add more chicken than it said so it would feed a bit more.
2. Spend the extra $ and buy the pre-minced garlic!! :)
3. Remember to write on the bags before putting the stuff in them.
4. Stick with 4 or 5 recipes and make multiple bags rather than trying to do so many different kinds.
5. Buy pre-minced garlic.
6. Have lots of chopping boards.
7. If transporting them to another house after, be sure and bring an ice chest or crate to transport.
8. Buy pre-minced garlic! ;)

Thursday, November 29, 2012

One Dish: Potatoes, Chicken, Green Beans

My sweet kids helped make dinner tonight. Zarek cut the potatoes, Zander prepped the chicken, and Jacinda melted the butter.

The recipe called for a whole stick of butter. I went ahead and followed that... But it was a bit buttery in the end. Still tasted great, but I will try cutting the butter in half next time to try. 

I also had a bunch of potatoes and used one can of green beans. Next time I will use fresh green beans because they were so moist I think fresh ones would be great (and I will do more too!).

This one was very simple, easy to clean since all in one dish, and it was SO good.

 




One Dish: Potatoes, Chicken, Green Beans (serves 4-6 people)
4 to 6 chicken breast $5.43  
  fresh green beans (or one can) $0.99  
  red potatoes $1.00  
1 packet of italian dressing seasonings $1.49  
1 stick of butter (melted) $0.89  
  TOTAL COST OF MEAL $9.80  
  Place chicken along center of 9x13 dish.  
  Place green beans on one side and potatoes  
  along the other side of chicken.  
  Sprinkle italian dressing over top of all of it.  
  Pour butter over all of it.  
  Cover in foil.  
  Place in preheated oven at 350 for 60 minutes.  
       




Crock Pot Liners! Where have you been all my life?

Ok so I know the title of this one is a little extreme... but seriously!?



I love to use my crock pot and now I don't even have to WASH it. haha 

Honestly I won't use these a lot of the time because I don't mind washing one dish. But, there are those recipes that ALWAYS stick to the pot and takes me 10 years to clean and on those this would be perfect!

If you are interested in buying some and can't find them at your local store you can buy them here:
http://www.amazon.com/Reynolds-Metals-00504-Cooker-Liners/dp/B00578EKRY/ref=lh_ni_t


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Chicken Cream Cheese Chili

This recipe works great as a dip, served over rice, or in taco shells. It is super easy. And this is just one of the many crockpot recipes I will be posting. I love my crockpot! The meal cost around $9.66 (not including tax). Since I already owned the spices I didn't include that in the cost. I hope you enjoy it!











Chicken Cream Cheese Chili (serves 4 people)

2 chicken breasts $1.81

1 can of rotel $0.68

1 can of corn (don't drain) $0.99

1 can of black beans (drain & rinse) $0.99

1 pkg. ranch dressing mix $1.42

1 Tbsp cumin


1 tsp chili powder


1 tsp onion powder


1 - 8 oz package of cream cheese $1.78

tortilla chips or taco shells $1.99

TOTAL COST OF MEAL $9.66

Put the chicken in the crock pot. Top with all

ingredients except the cream cheese. Mix.

Top with cream cheese. Cook on low for 6-8

hours, stirring once or twice to blend cheese.

Shred the chicken and serve with chips or in

taco shells. Serves 4.













Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Split Decision Penne

For people like me who sometimes can't decide between alfredo and marinara...
I made this dinner tonight and the family and friends loved it! It feeds 10 people and the total cost was $12.37!!









Split Decision Penne (serves 10 people)

1 bag of penne $1.85

1 cup shredded mozzarella $1.05

1 cup grated parmesan $1.20

15 oz jar alfredo sauce $3.49

24 oz jar marinara sauce $1.89

garlic bread $2.89

TOTAL COST OF MEAL $12.37

Cook pasta according to directions and drain.

Mix sauces together in a large bowl.

Add the mozzerella and stir to combine.

Toss in penne and toss to coat.

Pour pasta into 9x13 baking dish and cook on

350 for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with parmesan

then mix it.

Serve w/ garlic bread.