Wednesday, April 13, 2011

April Showers Brings May Flowers…and a Freezer Full of Food!

Sorry, yes, I know April is half way over and a menu is long over due, but things have been quite busy for us on the home front.  Spring projects have been keeping us busy as we tidy up the inside and outside of our home.  Plus, we’ve been on pacifier removal patrol with our strong-willed 2 year old.  Luckily, we are one week paci-free today!  Of course, no task is easy lately as my ever growing belly makes even normal activities complicated.  Just watch me try to get up off of the couch! 
With all of the chaos going on, we’ve been sure to take advantage of this amazing weather.  Don’t you just love spring?  Finally, a chance to start seeing sunshine, beautiful colorful spring flowers, and opening up the windows and letting the fresh air roll in. 
For my family, it also means firing up the gas grill!  Mr. Frugal is our resident grill expert, so at this time of year I like to incorporate a lot of meals that can be grilled.  “Dump Chicken” recipes are a favorite for OAMC because they are so fast and easy to prepare on cooking day.  What is Dump Chicken you ask?  It is basically a quick marinade that you dump in a Ziploc bag with boneless skinless chicken breasts.  Then, you label and freeze it and call it a day!  When you are ready to serve, you defrost, grill, and enjoy!  I’m all about simple recipes that make your cooking day go by QUICK!  Spring weather is just too nice to stay inside even on your cooking day. 
So, here is the menu for the month of April.  I hope you enjoy it.  Drop me a line and let me know what recipes you’ve tried, what you love, what you hate, and how your OAMC experience is going.  frugalfreezermom@gmail.com ,or check us out of Facebook www.facebook.com/FrugalFreezerMom

*Although there are direct links to the original recipes below, be sure to download my google docs for your cooking day.  There you will find quantity adjustments, recipe modifications, and freezing instructions. 
Breakfasts
Raspberry Oat Bars- These make great snacks too!
Egg Casserole Cups- A great way to add veggies to your breakfast!
Lunch
Grilled Ham and Swiss on a Diet- These will be a great way to use up all of your leftover Easter Ham.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup- Gotta love a recipe that you dump into a crock pot and go!

 Dinner
Mostaccioli Casserole: One even the kids will love!

Pioneer Woman’s Vegetable Lasagna- Anyone who has ever tried a Pioneer Woman’s recipe knows that this lady knows what she’s talking about.  Her food is sooooo good! I’m addicted to her blog. 

Stuffed Peppers My Way- One of the few vegetarian dishes I can get my meat-eating husband to enjoy.  We like to use quinoa.  Mainly b/c it tastes great, but it’s also fun to say! Keen- Wah!

Chicken Marsala- Adapted from the book, “More, Don’t Panic Dinner’s in the Freezer.” – Who doesn’t love a good Chicken Marsala?  This one is great for serving to company. 

Honey Glazed Dump Chicken- Sweet sticky honey on grilled chicken.  What a great way to break in your grill for the season. 

Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts with Watermelon Jalapeno Salsa- Just freeze the chicken and make the salsa on the day you plan on serving it.  What a refreshing dinner!

Grilled Brown Sugar Pork Chops-  A hearty, stick to your ribs kind of dinner. 

Ranch Burgers- Everybody loves grilling out burgers.  It’s as American as apple pie.  This is a great starter recipe,  but see my modifications on google docs for an even easier version. 
View Full List of Recipes Here