I am currently on a mission to stock up on freezer meals. You see, I usually don't plan dinners ahead of time. I'm more of a "Oh, it's 5:00. I should make dinner" kind of person. I'm trying to change that. I'm proud of the fact that I have 8 homemade meals in my freezer right now. That has never happened. My goal is to have about 20 in there within the next few weeks.
Along those lines, I am starting to think about baby #4, and when I think about that, my mind goes straight to the 8-10 week nausea and vomiting nightmare that will accompany my pregnancy. When I was pregnant with Halle, I kept thinking, How can I possibly do this again once I have 3 children? I'm going to need a nanny or something!
One of the hardest things about having morning sickness while taking care of children is feeding them. So I figure that if I have lots of good meals in the freezer, that will eliminate a big source of stress. Hopefully these meals I'm making will last a while in the freezer. I'm not sure when baby #4 will come along.
Anyway, I just thought I would share one of the tastiest freezer meals I've made. We all liked it! That doesn't happen very often. It's from Our Best Bites.
Click here for the link to the recipe. Or see below...
Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos
1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 C green salsa
1T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t granulated garlic, or garlic powder
3 T chopped cilantro
2 T sliced green onions
2 C shredded cooked chicken (for extra yumminess, use grilled taco chicken!)
1 C grated pepperjack cheese
small corn tortillas (flour ones are really good as well) (I USED FLOUR TORTILLAS)
kosher salt
cooking spray
Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray. Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it’s soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well. You can prepare up to this step ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge.
Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it. If you find yours are cracking when you roll them or are coming unrolled right away, just try heating them longer and try the paper towel thing.
Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges. Roll up tortillas and place seam down on a baking sheet, not touching one another. Spray lightly with cooking spray, or lightly brush with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Dip in sour cream, or our favorite: Creamy Lime-Cilantro Ranch.
Freezer Instructions: Prepare the taquitos through rolling them out and placing them on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze until solid, then transfer to a large freezer bag. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 425 and place the taquitos on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
6 comments:
WE love freezer meals. You'll be surprised at what you can freeze, which is pretty much anything.
Our standards are meatballs, green chili enchiladas and goulaush (sp). I sadly have none in my freezer. boooo
Also, mom's recipe for chicken enchiladas, chicken tetrazinni, lasagna and I have a yummy meatball recipe that you throw in the crock pot then divide into 4 or 5 ziplock bags and throw in the freezer.
what other meals do you freeze? I want more ideas for the days that I work. I usually plan ahead, but am sick of the same old things
Mel- I made and froze Taco Soup, a vegetable pasta soup, Tortellini pasta, and Sloppy Joe's. I am planning to do a few more pasta type recipes. I have a good recipe for Baked Ziti. I have found lots of good ideas on pinterest. There are several blogs dedicated to freezer meals.
I really should make and freeze more too. I often make a double batch of muffins or cookies and put several in the freezer for later and for school lunches. But I should do meals too. Thanks for the ideas!
Trevor asked me about making freezer meals the other day. I want to do it too! I'm excited to hear that you are trying for another kid. You are a great mom.
Good thinking. I get really tired of the five things that Nick feels comfortable heating up when I'm pregnant. It is such a relief when I start cooking again. For everybody.
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