Comments on: Guest Post: Using Your Freezer and Cooking from Scratch to Save Money http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:18:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Paula http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263212 Paula Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:48:06 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263212 WHen I froze the onions it made EVERYTHING in my deep freeze smell and taste like onions. It was NASTY! Everything seems to be ruined. :( Is there ANYWAY to make the smell go away (I have triple bagged these onions) AND put in two of those Arm and Hammer Baking Soda freezer things. Is the rest of my food ruined (Onion Ice cream is NOT tasty :( ) or what can I do to save a deep freezer worth of food. :( WHen I froze the onions it made EVERYTHING in my deep freeze smell and taste like onions. It was NASTY! Everything seems to be ruined. :( Is there ANYWAY to make the smell go away (I have triple bagged these onions) AND put in two of those Arm and Hammer Baking Soda freezer things. Is the rest of my food ruined (Onion Ice cream is NOT tasty :( ) or what can I do to save a deep freezer worth of food. :(

]]> By: ANA http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263211 ANA Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:03:33 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263211 Ice cube trays and muffin tins can be used to freeze food in pre-measured portions. Blend fresh herbs in a blender whip up some pesto or finely chop onions in a food processor; spread your herbs or veggies in an ice cube tray and freeze. When the cubes are solid, transfer them to a plastic freezer bag. You can reach in and grab individual cubes for your recipe without having to do all the work each time! This also works for freezing soup stock and broth: use a muffin tin (silicone trays are nice but be sure to put them on a cookie sheet before you fill them with liquid!) for its larger volume. Freeze, then transfer to a labeled bag. It's quick and easy to add broth to a recipe or grab a few blocks to start a soup. Ice cube trays and muffin tins can be used to freeze food in pre-measured portions. Blend fresh herbs in a blender whip up some pesto or finely chop onions in a food processor; spread your herbs or veggies in an ice cube tray and freeze. When the cubes are solid, transfer them to a plastic freezer bag. You can reach in and grab individual cubes for your recipe without having to do all the work each time! This also works for freezing soup stock and broth: use a muffin tin (silicone trays are nice but be sure to put them on a cookie sheet before you fill them with liquid!) for its larger volume. Freeze, then transfer to a labeled bag. It’s quick and easy to add broth to a recipe or grab a few blocks to start a soup.

]]> By: Joy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263210 Joy Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:54:52 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263210 This post was so timely! I've been trying hard to spend more time making all kinds of home-made soup lately (my family's favorite food!) to help with our budget. Although my dad isn't a fan of frozen baked goods, I loved the idea of freezing the onions, and making lots of "prepared" baggies with our staple baked goods ingredients to cut down on time. I did have a food storage question. Can you freeze plain yogurt and buttermilk? Alot of recipes have this in it and I was wondering if I should freeze a little stock pile to save some money when the "better brands" go on sale. This post was so timely! I’ve been trying hard to spend more time making all kinds of home-made soup lately (my family’s favorite food!) to help with our budget. Although my dad isn’t a fan of frozen baked goods, I loved the idea of freezing the onions, and making lots of “prepared” baggies with our staple baked goods ingredients to cut down on time. I did have a food storage question. Can you freeze plain yogurt and buttermilk? Alot of recipes have this in it and I was wondering if I should freeze a little stock pile to save some money when the “better brands” go on sale.

]]> By: Luckimom2002 http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263209 Luckimom2002 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:43:26 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263209 Michelle can you tell me your thoughts on the vaccuum seal bagging system for freezing? Still double bag? Thanks Michelle can you tell me your thoughts on the vaccuum seal bagging system for freezing? Still double bag?

Thanks

]]> By: Laralee http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263208 Laralee Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:30:40 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263208 When my older children were younger, this is how I survived. I always made enough to freeze future dinners. I also would purchase individual freezer containers and freeze lunch/dinner for my husband's work meal. I would make spaghetti sauce in an 18 quart roaster oven and freeze in large ziploc bags, laid flat to freeze for easy stacking. Same with soups, pureed pumpking, grated zucchini bag, bagged in 2 C quantities for baking purposes. I would cook a turkey and bag up leftovers in ziploc bags for many future dinners. I would make muffins & breads and freeze for quick meals. Make cookie dough and freeze in tubes. I love my freezer. Now that we have 9 children at home ranging from 25 to 5 years old, with many adult eaters, it is hard to keep ahead of the game! We don't do near as much freezing ahead any more just because of the sheer volume of food we go through and because of the "busyness" that comes with this many people and being self-employed as a family together. We are just constantly on the go. When we cook a turkey these days, we get one meal with measly left overs and then the soup from the carcass is cooked that night. No more many ziploc bags of ready to use turkey meat! When we make waffles, we make oodles and gobs of them. We don't freeze them now as we used to. They get used far too quickly to need to freeze them! Bread too, never gets to the point of being frozen anymore. Muffins don't see the cold of the freezer anymore either. Unless we take a couple of days and do nothing but bake. And, that doesn't last long either! All of that being said, we have 2 1/2 freezers that are full and always in use. It's just that the contents of these freezers get used up very quickly! We are working on trying to get back to stocking the freezer with emergency meals, but these days, it's hard to stay ahead of the game! Laralee http://PlymouthRockRanch.com Recording the Faithfulness and Provision of God for Future Generations When my older children were younger, this is how I survived. I always made enough to freeze future dinners. I also would purchase individual freezer containers and freeze lunch/dinner for my husband’s work meal.

I would make spaghetti sauce in an 18 quart roaster oven and freeze in large ziploc bags, laid flat to freeze for easy stacking. Same with soups, pureed pumpking, grated zucchini bag, bagged in 2 C quantities for baking purposes.

I would cook a turkey and bag up leftovers in ziploc bags for many future dinners.

I would make muffins & breads and freeze for quick meals. Make cookie dough and freeze in tubes.

I love my freezer.

Now that we have 9 children at home ranging from 25 to 5 years old, with many adult eaters, it is hard to keep ahead of the game! We don’t do near as much freezing ahead any more just because of the sheer volume of food we go through and because of the “busyness” that comes with this many people and being self-employed as a family together. We are just constantly on the go.

When we cook a turkey these days, we get one meal with measly left overs and then the soup from the carcass is cooked that night. No more many ziploc bags of ready to use turkey meat!

When we make waffles, we make oodles and gobs of them. We don’t freeze them now as we used to. They get used far too quickly to need to freeze them!

Bread too, never gets to the point of being frozen anymore. Muffins don’t see the cold of the freezer anymore either. Unless we take a couple of days and do nothing but bake. And, that doesn’t last long either!

All of that being said, we have 2 1/2 freezers that are full and always in use. It’s just that the contents of these freezers get used up very quickly!

We are working on trying to get back to stocking the freezer with emergency meals, but these days, it’s hard to stay ahead of the game!

Laralee
http://PlymouthRockRanch.com
Recording the Faithfulness and Provision of God for Future Generations

]]> By: Katie Hurley http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263207 Katie Hurley Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:40:32 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263207 I just wanted to thank you for this post. It was very timely for me as I have found myself losing the joy of cooking due to lack of time and stress at home! You gave some very practical tips that I can begin using this weekend! THANK YOU! I just wanted to thank you for this post. It was very timely for me as I have found myself losing the joy of cooking due to lack of time and stress at home! You gave some very practical tips that I can begin using this weekend! THANK YOU!

]]> By: Kelly http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263206 Kelly Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:22:29 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263206 Freezing also makes it so much easier to minister to a new mother or a sick neighbor. Grab a casserole, add a salad and bread, and take it on over! Freezing also makes it so much easier to minister to a new mother or a sick neighbor. Grab a casserole, add a salad and bread, and take it on over!

]]> By: Prudent Homemaker http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263205 Prudent Homemaker Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:39:24 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263205 I don't have a separate freezer other than the one with my fridge. I do, however, cook ahead. When I cook meals, I plan enough for leftovers so that we can eat them the next day (usually for lunch and sometimes for breakfast). I make enough bread, pancakes and muffins so that we can eat them for a couple of days. The muffins are great as a snack in the afternoons. The pancakes are breakfast for the next day. In my freezer, I keep cooked ground beef andturkey (well, and other things, too!). I cook all the ground beef when I buy it, and then freeze it to add to spaghetti, beef stroganoff, and tacos. It makes the meal time faster for all of those meals. I buy turkeys in November and cook them, eating some and saving some in the freezer in bags to pull out and use for sandwiches, turkey devan, autumn stew, etc.--anywhere I would use chicken, but for a lot less money per pound (last year I got 7 turkeys at 69 cents a pound--that's some inexpensive meat!) The onions and peppers can be dehyrdated so that you can keep your freezer space for meats. I don’t have a separate freezer other than the one with my fridge.

I do, however, cook ahead.

When I cook meals, I plan enough for leftovers so that we can eat them the next day (usually for lunch and sometimes for breakfast). I make enough bread, pancakes and muffins so that we can eat them for a couple of days. The muffins are great as a snack in the afternoons. The pancakes are breakfast for the next day.

In my freezer, I keep cooked ground beef andturkey (well, and other things, too!). I cook all the ground beef when I buy it, and then freeze it to add to spaghetti, beef stroganoff, and tacos. It makes the meal time faster for all of those meals. I buy turkeys in November and cook them, eating some and saving some in the freezer in bags to pull out and use for sandwiches, turkey devan, autumn stew, etc.–anywhere I would use chicken, but for a lot less money per pound (last year I got 7 turkeys at 69 cents a pound–that’s some inexpensive meat!)

The onions and peppers can be dehyrdated so that you can keep your freezer space for meats.

]]> By: Christy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263204 Christy Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:04:21 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263204 Thanks for the great tips Michelle! We'll be getting a second hand chest freezer in the next week (it's only 2 years old) and I can't wait to get started on filling it. Thanks for the great tips Michelle! We’ll be getting a second hand chest freezer in the next week (it’s only 2 years old) and I can’t wait to get started on filling it.

]]> By: wendy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263203 wendy Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:41:41 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263203 Thanks for the great information. I never thought of pre-prepping bread ingredients. I would make it a lot more often if it wasn't a hassle. I'm glad to have the info on the freezing of onions too. I use these so often, and it would be nice just to have them chopped already! Thanks for the great information. I never thought of pre-prepping bread ingredients. I would make it a lot more often if it wasn’t a hassle. I’m glad to have the info on the freezing of onions too. I use these so often, and it would be nice just to have them chopped already!

]]> By: Tami http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263202 Tami Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:12:16 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263202 I use my freezer too. Our grocery store runs the bagged broccoli mixes with carrots and cauliflower and all that stuff for 99 cents - 1.49 and I buy lots. I come home, cook it and slam it in my freezer (labeled of course) And it is perfect for casseroles and even broccoli and cheese. Thanks for sharing this post. I use my freezer too. Our grocery store runs the bagged broccoli mixes with carrots and cauliflower and all that stuff for 99 cents – 1.49 and I buy lots. I come home, cook it and slam it in my freezer (labeled of course) And it is perfect for casseroles and even broccoli and cheese. Thanks for sharing this post.

]]> By: Wendy http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263201 Wendy Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:16:18 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263201 Some great tips! I have an extra fridge and an extra upright freezer in my basement, but I am always forgettign to defrost things! I need to make that a priority! Thanks for the tips! Some great tips! I have an extra fridge and an extra upright freezer in my basement, but I am always forgettign to defrost things! I need to make that a priority!
Thanks for the tips!

]]> By: Maria http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263200 Maria Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:05:23 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263200 Great tips. My sister had a similar suggestion with sausage patties as with the hamburgers. I also make a double batch of pie dough for quiche (one batch makes a top and bottom of a regular pie, so a double batch actually makes 4 quiches!). If we had a large freezer, I'd probably freeze a lot more things as suggested here, but alas, space is limited. I'm still amazed at how much I can fit in it though! Great tips. My sister had a similar suggestion with sausage patties as with the hamburgers. I also make a double batch of pie dough for quiche (one batch makes a top and bottom of a regular pie, so a double batch actually makes 4 quiches!). If we had a large freezer, I’d probably freeze a lot more things as suggested here, but alas, space is limited. I’m still amazed at how much I can fit in it though!

]]> By: Dona http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263199 Dona Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:46:41 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263199 This was quite helpful. I am thinking about getting a waffle maker now! You said that you can chop onions and peppers....did you mean like green peppers. I love to use chopped green peppers in my meatloaf, but I rarely have a green pepper on hand. This would be a nice way to buy a few and keep them ready for when I need them. This was quite helpful. I am thinking about getting a waffle maker now!

You said that you can chop onions and peppers….did you mean like green peppers. I love to use chopped green peppers in my meatloaf, but I rarely have a green pepper on hand. This would be a nice way to buy a few and keep them ready for when I need them.

]]> By: Amanda Davenport http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263198 Amanda Davenport Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:06:42 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263198 I have been debating on getting an extra freezer. My father-in-law mentioned that the extra cost to run a freezer (or fridge) isn't worthwhile. Let me mention, that my Father-in-law uses his extra freezer to store fish that he catches, ice cream in large quantities and misc food items. He's not using it to store extra pre-made meals or great buys that he stocked up on. Has anyone looked into the cost analysis. He did tell me to keep the freezer/fridge indoors (as opposed to my garage) as southern summers make the the unit work harder---increasing your electricity bill further. I have been debating on getting an extra freezer. My father-in-law mentioned that the extra cost to run a freezer (or fridge) isn’t worthwhile. Let me mention, that my Father-in-law uses his extra freezer to store fish that he catches, ice cream in large quantities and misc food items. He’s not using it to store extra pre-made meals or great buys that he stocked up on. Has anyone looked into the cost analysis. He did tell me to keep the freezer/fridge indoors (as opposed to my garage) as southern summers make the the unit work harder—increasing your electricity bill further.

]]> By: Patti http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263197 Patti Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:18:00 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263197 Oops! The web site I gave for Once A Month Cooking has changed. Just google that title and you'll find all kinds of places with recipes. Oops! The web site I gave for Once A Month Cooking has changed. Just google that title and you’ll find all kinds of places with recipes.

]]> By: Patti http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263196 Patti Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:09:36 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263196 Funny you should post this right when I am reading Deborah Taylor-Hough's Frozen Assets Lite and Easy. She has been freezing a month's meals in her refrigerator for years. She does it by freezing everything flat, then standing the zip lock bags up like LP records!! Check out her web site for more info http://members.aol.com/OAMCLoop/ Thanks for the great ideas!! Funny you should post this right when I am reading Deborah Taylor-Hough’s Frozen Assets Lite and Easy. She has been freezing a month’s meals in her refrigerator for years. She does it by freezing everything flat, then standing the zip lock bags up like LP records!! Check out her web site for more info http://members.aol.com/OAMCLoop/
Thanks for the great ideas!!

]]> By: Honey http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263195 Honey Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:38:12 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263195 This is a very helpful post! I have to agree with Michelle, I love cooking, but not as much when 10 little eyes are staring at me wanting to know when it will be ready. That Tip #1) made me laugh because I always say the same thing you did (about being under the gun). I would add a tip about wrapping your items in plastic, then covering with foil-I have unfortunately had a mommy-brain moment and forgotten to take off the plastic. Sad, I know! Now I label the dish with title, cooking time & temp., and a note to remove plastic!!! And when I read about some foods that do not freeze well, I had to add that egg and tofu do not freeze well. Potato (which you mentioned, does change texture when frozen), but amazingly, the commercial frozen hash browns always seem fine to me. I do not like mashed potatoes once they've been frozen..tried it...not good. Thanks for the good ideas. This is a very helpful post! I have to agree with Michelle, I love cooking, but not as much when 10 little eyes are staring at me wanting to know when it will be ready. That Tip #1) made me laugh because I always say the same thing you did (about being under the gun). I would add a tip about wrapping your items in plastic, then covering with foil-I have unfortunately had a mommy-brain moment and forgotten to take off the plastic. Sad, I know! Now I label the dish with title, cooking time & temp., and a note to remove plastic!!! And when I read about some foods that do not freeze well, I had to add that egg and tofu do not freeze well. Potato (which you mentioned, does change texture when frozen), but amazingly, the commercial frozen hash browns always seem fine to me. I do not like mashed potatoes once they’ve been frozen..tried it…not good. Thanks for the good ideas.

]]> By: Amiyrah http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263194 Amiyrah Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:37:26 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263194 oh, if I only had the freezer space to do this! I do it somewhat on a smaller scale, but you can only fit so much in a tiny freezer attached to the fridge. Thanks for the tip on freezing the onions. I freeze mine when I get them at a good price but they did tend to clump up. Now I know how to prevent that! oh, if I only had the freezer space to do this! I do it somewhat on a smaller scale, but you can only fit so much in a tiny freezer attached to the fridge. Thanks for the tip on freezing the onions. I freeze mine when I get them at a good price but they did tend to clump up. Now I know how to prevent that!

]]> By: Jen M http://moneysavingmom.com/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html/comment-page-1#comment-263193 Jen M Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:50:26 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2008/11/guest-post-using-your-freezer-and-cooking-from-scratch-to-save-money.html#comment-263193 What a great post! And another fabulous blog to add to my feed reader. What a great post! And another fabulous blog to add to my feed reader.

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