Day 2 Freezer Meal - Mediterranean Fish

 

MEDITERRANEAN FISH!

This creation was made with Dried Tomato & Garlic Pesto Mix (from Tastefully Simple) , Olive Oil, Kalamata Olives, and lemon. These ingredients top your choice of white fish. Serve with Feta Cheese as Garnish.  I pared my meal with Cubed Red Potatoes topped with Spinach & Herb dip Mix (from Tastefully Simple), a dash of Seasoned Salt (from Tastefully Simple), and cubed butter, which I cooked in the microwave for about 10 min and then tossed into the oven with the fish as it baked.  I also got inspired to add a dessert, Nana's Apple Cake (from Tastefully Simple) which I decided to make with drained canned peaches instead of apples. I love this cake! Beside only needing 2 ingredients (fruit & eggs) it is so versatile.  I have made with apples, bananas, blackberries, strawberries, and peaches, but have also made it with canned pumpkin, Yum!  I think the best thing with my preplanned meals is I have more time to add additional things and make a more complete meal.  The Mediterranean Fish recipe serves 6 and has a bold but mellow flavor.  Perfect for those sensitive to spicy, you get flavor without the mouth burn!

Day 1 Freezer Meal - Fiesta Meatballs

Fiesta Meatballs! 
Used prepared meatballs, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Fiesta Party Dip mix (from Tastefully Simple), and Garlic Garlic (from Tastefully Simple). (See Shopping and Prepping Freezer Meals for info on prep time). Tossed already prepped meal from baggie into crock pot and cook on low all day!  Suggested sides Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes (can do instant), or pasta with Green Beans or Corn.  For those that are sensitive to spicy reduce Fiesta Party Dip mix by half.  Our family of 5, plus friend of my son ate and we still had leftovers for at least a couple more people. I also doubled this recipe and stuck in an additional freezer bag.  More Yummy to look forward to and 1 less meal to worry about figuring out!

Shopping and Prepping Freezer Meals

ABOUT MY FREEZER MEAL EXPERIENCE:
For this particular freezer meal prepping session, I hardly had to do any work!  I got an advanced kit collection from Tastefully Simple, that will be available to the public for the Summer Season starting March 1st.  It includes the TS (aka.. Tastefully Simple) products above as well as recipe cards, a shopping list and labels to put on my Freezer bags with directions.  It gives you recipes for 10 meals, however I was able to duplicate a couple of them for extras meals and I still have leftovers of everything to make up more stuff later on.

OFF TO THE STORE:
I grabbed my shopping list provided in my kit and was off.  LOVED the convenience of this, as  I know I could have spent several hours finding recipes and then compiling a list.  I was only at the store about an hour and spent less than $60 on items needed.  I did not use any coupons, so I know I could have gotten stuff cheaper if I tried. One things I would suggest to you, is to decide if you want it cheaper or more convenient. I got some meat already the way I needed it and some that I had to cut up. If time was more valuable than money than pre-cut would defiantly be the way to go.  However I have two teenagers at home, so guess who did my extra cutting for me?

PREPPING THE FREEZER MEALS:
Because I hate putting groceries away and to make it convenient for myself, I decided to shop and make all the same day.  I laid out my items, grabbed my TS products, and my Freezer Bags and started to assemble. I think most of my time was spent organizing items together.  If I did this with a friend or when I do this as a workshop I am sure time will be cut in half.  Tossing the stuff in bags went pretty quick besides that.  I even grabbed another of my favorite TS sauces called Tender Pot Roast Sauce (which will be no longer available after 3/17, so will have to stock up) and added to a pork shoulder.  I debated on doing this but thought if I freeze I don't have worry about the meat expiring if not used up soon enough.  This whole processed took about 3 hrs, but figured divided by 13 not bad for prep time.

ALL DONE!
13 bags into the freezer, voila! Done! Since I know we will have leftovers and occasional meals out like after church and family and friend get-togethers I figure I am set for at least 3 maybe even 4 weeks.  So excited time and money well spent (actually well saved, since we will eat out less).

MORE INFORMATION:
In case your want more information about Tastefully Simple or want to order products contact me via e-mail @ SimpleMealsOnPurpose@yahoo.com or visit my web page @ www.tastefullysimple.com/web/hpowers

Freezer Meals by Tastefully Simple

Meals I prepared to go into the freezer, now I am set for the next few weeks. Gotta love Freezer Meals! Although I normally use Tastefully Simple Products when I get chance to make a home cooked meal.  I have been lacking in this department recently!  So with a little encouragement from Kathi Lipp's Book "What's for Dinner" and the collection "Tastefully Simple Tonight"  I was able to make these main dishes that serve up to 6 people for an average cost of about $11 each ($1.80 per person)!  Way cheaper than going out to eat.  I am going to save me some $$$$!  Next Stop Freezer Workshops for you.  Let me know if any interest.