Well, yesterday’s planned Freezer Cooking session didn’t go anything like I’d planned. It turned out to be one big interruption fest. Gratefully, somehow God gave me grace to keep it together even when I felt like severely losing my patience.
Remembering this saying I had recently found on Pinterest helped, too:
The Strawberry Freezer Jam and the Whole-Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins did turn out well, despite the interruptions. I’ll share more about the Strawberry Freezer Jam along with pictures tomorrow since it was one of my monthly Do-It-Yourself Experiments.
I wish I had a picture of the Whole-Wheat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins but my children ate every last one of them up in less than a day. Okay, I confess, it wasn’t just the children who are the culprits. Ahem. 🙂
And I was also able to wash and freeze the rest of the strawberries, as well as a bunch of blueberries we’d bought this week (they were on sale for $0.99 each at Aldi!).
I waited to make the Crockpot Barbecue Chicken until today, because I just ran out of time and energy. But I made a double-batch this afternoon and we had one pan for dinner (I baked it in the oven instead of the crockpot since I was short on time) and froze another bag of it. The whole family loved this recipe and it’s definitely something I’ll be making again in the future. We served it with brown rice and vegetables on the side and it was delicious!
toby says
I live in a part of the world where BBQ sauce is quite hard to get and pricy. Does anyone have a “made from scratch” recipe that is really good and would work in the crock pot?
Cara Ivey says
GREAT! I just bought Cherries on sale this morning and was wondering what the heck I was going to use them for! Cherry Freezer Jam it is!!
The quote was nice. It was also nice to see all of the other Moms comments. I forget sometimes that we all have days where we want to pull our hair out over these kids! I’ve taken to setting the alarm to 5am just to have a little alone time in my house! I tiptoe arond so desperatley trying not to wake any of my 4 kids up!!
Now all we need is a quote for husbands who are driving us nuts!! Anybody have a good one? 🙂
Jen says
i made the crockpot bbq chicken earlier this week and it was delicious! (i used bone-in chicken breasts since that’s what i had and it still came out great) definitely will be a favorite to make since it’s SO easy. thanks for posting! 🙂
Brooke says
I’m making the crockpot bbq chicken for dinner tonight! Smells delicious! Along with fresh baked bread (Artisan in 5!) and homemade mushroom rice! I’ll be trying the freezer jam tomorrow…but one question…can I freeze regular canning jars?
Jane says
Fun to see a quote from Kittie! She helped me breastfeed my oldest child (17 years ago) when we had all but given up after 3 weeks.
Amber says
Cool! 🙂
Susan (FrugaLouis) says
Wow, that’s a great quote…someone needs to turn it into a plaque for the kitchen and sell them! 🙂
Angela says
Tried the crockpot BBQ chicken Wednesday night, and the hubs LOVED it!! Thanks for sharing. Will be making it again. : )
lise says
Thanks for the reminder. I can totally relate to the sign above.
Thank you again for the good reminder!
Colleen M. says
For the Barbecue Chicken crockpot recipe, how did you adapt it to the oven? What temperature did you cook it at and for how long? Thanks so much!
Rhonda R. says
I have boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the fridge & was debating how to do them for supper. I did your recipe. Can’t wait to try them.
Wanda @ Save Money, Live Joyfully says
First of all, I love that quote. Really puts things in perspective.
I made a loaf of pound cake yesterday, but after giving some of it away to the neighbors, I don’t have enough left to freeze. But, since I *need* something sweet in my freezer, I’m going to try and freeze some Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookie dough this weekend. I have everything on hand, so it’s just a matter making it. http://www.savemoneylivejoyfully.com/2011/07/recipe-of-week-oatmeal-chocolate-chip.html.
Sylvia says
Thank you for the quotation. I sooo needed to hear that. It can be trying, especially in the summer when the kids have to come along with me everywhere I go. I have taken to going to the grocery/drugstore in the evening or on the weekend when hubby can be home with them.
stacy says
This may be a silly question, but how do you freeze blueberries and strawberries? I would love to take advantage of the Aldi sale. Just put them in a freezer bag??
Love your site!
J says
I freeze them in single layers on a cookie sheet and then knock them off and put them in a freezer bag. Otherwise you can end up with globs of berries frozen together.
stacy says
Ah, that makes perfect sense. Thank you!
Allyson @ A Heart for Home says
Also do not rinse the blueberries before you freeze. The water on the skins can make them more bitter when you thaw them for later. Just rinse after you thaw.
BethB says
Love the quote. My 2 y/o is sick and I really don’t do well with the constant whimpering and clinginess. I have to constantly remind myself he’ll only be this way, and this age, for a short amount of time.
I have seriously fallen down on freezer cooking this summer. Today I’m going to spend some time making black bean burgers and getting some dried beans cooked for the upcoming weeks.
Tammy @ Skinny Mom's Kitchen says
I needed to read that quote this week. Thank you.
I love your freezer cooking in a hour sessions. You actually inspired me to do my own the other day. It was a success (sort of) but I have to admit I felt like I was on the Food Network show chopped trying to get it all done before the time was up 🙂
You can see my results if you like here http://www.skinnymomskitchen.com/2011/07/21/60-minute-freezer-cooking-chicken-quesadillas-tacos-and-grilled-chicken/
Lisette says
That BBQ chicken recipe looks great! I’m always in need of a good crockpot recipe!
Corrine says
Thanks for posting another one of my recipes! So glad that your children liked them. My husband loves these muffins too. I think next time I might make them in the mini muffin pan to help with portion control. 🙂
Crystal says
You’re welcome! These were a lot healthier than our usual Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe — and everyone loved them!
Carrie says
Have you ever made Cranberry Chicken in the crockpot or oven? About as simple and delicious as you can get. Are you ready for this?
1 can Whole Cranberry Sauce
1 jar Russian (or Catalina or I’ve even used French in a pinch) dressing
1 packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix
Mix and pour over chicken (breasts, legs, thighs, bone-in or boneless – it doesn’t matter), bake at 350 for around 45-50 minutes (or until done). I’ve found that the chicken stays more moist if I make it in the crockpot (I just did it on low for 8 hours and it was really tender and good). Serve plain or over rice. YUM and such a quick and easy go-to meal when you need one!
Krissy says
We tried the BBQ Chicken recipe on Tuesday when we had my inlaws over for dinner! It was so quick and delicious! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Nan says
Thanks for sharing- sometimes my children test me and I don’t always respond like I should. I thank the Lord for loving me with all my faults. I will have to write that quote down.
Nicole says
Thank you for sharing that, despite your innumerable amazing accomplishments and character traits, you still have ‘human’ moments. I appreciate that about you!!
Molly says
Ooops!! I meant to type whole “wheat”! :0)
I forgot to ask – when they’re frozen, what is the best way to reheat them?
JanaC2 says
Molly – I’m sure Crystal can comment, but I thought I’d let you know that from my numerous muffin-making experiences (my kids have severe food allergies so I have to make all our bakery goods from scratch and what better way to have fresh zucchini than in a chocolate chip muffin?). Although I try to use organic flour, you can use conventional the same way. Whole wheat is a bit more dense so you will have to make some adjustments if the recipe calls for white and you use whole wheat, but organic vs. non organic does not change the recipe.
Also, I allow the muffins to cool completely (which is sometimes difficult if little ones see/smell them) before freezing… as with Crystal’s experience, some of them do NOT make it to the freezer 🙂
Once cooled, I just throw them all in a plastic baggie. They won’t stick together if they are completely cool… Reheat on the defrost setting in the microwave for about 30 seconds (or longer if they are big) or on the kitchen counter if you have the time to let them thaw naturally.
Hope that helps!
Molly says
Thank you SO much!! I am going to make these this weekend!!!
Sarah B says
Could you post your chocolate chip zucchini muffin recipe?? Someone gave us this bread when our youngest was born & I never thought I would like zucchini, but I love these & would love to make them for my family! Thanks!
JanaC2 says
Absolutely! I’ve tried several, but I like these the best so far…
http://wp.me/p1BPh9-5K
Also, I shredded zucchini in the blender with some pumpkin (canned puree) and added them to these cookies with excellent results! My family STILL doesn’t know they are healthy! If you’re not used to cookies without egg, it is a slightly different consistency (not as fluffy) but they are super-simple and quick snacks for kids who need a sweet (but healthy) treat… http://wp.me/p1BPh9-2x
Tracy @ crazyforsavings.com says
Wow, I absolutely LOVE that saying!
Molly says
These look SO good – and I just happen to have some bananas that are very, very ripe!! Can you make this with regular whole whear flour? I don’t have organic anything on hand, but I would love to try to make these in the morning!!
When you freeze them, do you wrap them before you put them in a zip loc bag? I’m new to the world of freezer cooking and I love the idea of having something yummy and nutritious that I can grab for a quick breakfast/snack!! Thanks!!
kristi says
Whenever I freeze muffins I just place them in a freezer bag so they are laying flat and I usually can only get about 9 or so in a gallon bag. Then I carefully put the bag flat in the freezer until they are frozen solid.
Janet says
That quote made me tear up a little. Today has been a rough, rough day with my kids. I love them dearly, but it was ROUGH. I was glad when they went to bed. But I need to remember how precious and important they are. Thanks for posting that. 🙂 Thanks for your website.
Beth says
Agree w/Janet 100% Thanks so much for your encouraging words!