New England Clam Chowder

I'll be honest, I was a bit worried about this recipe. Mostly because the potatoes in my last recipe turned out like crud. I mean like, serious crud. Something about the russet variety didn't freeze well, nor did it taste good either.
It was completely horrid.

You don't get that recipe.

But this one... you get. Because, thank goodness, red potatoes freeze VERY well and this recipe turned out amazing! Even fooled my seafood-hating-children into eating it. They asked what was in it and I said, "Bacon, Potatoes, and Cheese... you like cheese." I just left out the clams part. And boy am I glad I did. They ate it! Didn't complain either(Though the kid that knew there was clams, only ate what she 'had' to, but she cleaned her plate. So she couldn't have believed it to be that bad!).

And I really wasn't sure how this would be coming out of the freezer, but it was fabulous. I'm so glad I made a double batch! So, if you'd like to make your own (and yes, it tastes like New England Clam Chowder!) here is the recipe.

 Put the following ingredients in a gallon ziplock:
1/2 pound bacon diced as small as possible, raw
1 (6.5-ounce) can minced clams, drained and chopped again small (if you have picky eaters)
5 small red potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks (I didn't peel mine, because I love color in my food)
1 onion, peeled and diced
1 cup sliced celery
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups chicken broth

Write on the outside of the bag Cook 6-8 hours on low. Blend some of the soup to naturally thicken. Then add 2 cups half-and-half and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

I served ours with Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cornbread (Added 2 tablespoons of sugar to the mix) and it was just the touch it desired! So definitely serve with cornbread.

Beef Quinoa Stew

Sometimes a recipe comes to me quite by mistake. I stick something in the crockpot and when I test it out half way through the cooking process, I think, "wow, this could really be good in THIS." That is when a recipe is born. And not only was it born, but it was devoured. Mostly by the adults, but the kids tolerated it. See it has the two deadly sins.

Mushrooms and Onions

At least the kids think so anyway. But we all know better.

So here is the fabulous recipe that I will surely make again and again.

And again.

Put the following ingredients in a gallon sized ziplock bag and seal:
2 pounds beef chuck, trimmed of excess fat and cut into thin slices (about 1/2 inch thick and 3 inches long)
1 large onion, chopped
1 pound mushrooms trimmed and quartered

Write on the outside of this bag: Low 8 hrs - high 6. Add second bag at hour 4.

In another gallon sized ziplock add the following:

16oz mixed frozen veggies (carrots, corn, beans, etc)
15oz canned diced potatoes (or fresh, make sure they are diced small)
1.5 cups of Quinoa
1  teaspoons of pepper

On the outside of this bag, write: Add to crockpot at hour 4 with 4-5 cups of beef broth.

This soup is hearty and seriously delicious. If you use a low sodium beef broth, be sure to add some salt, but I didn't and it didn't need any.

Stork Meal 9: Sour Cream Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Oh. My. Heaven.

So, I haven't even tasted this recipe (as I begin write this, but I tasted it by the end) but the smell in my house makes me want to do a little jig. I mean seriously people, I don't know what is more exciting. The fact that I have bacon in my crockpot or that it's wrapped around juicy chicken and covered in a smoked paprika cream sauce. Seriously folks, my nose is in heaven. And I have 8 people coming for dinner who will be the judges of it's fantasticity (That is totally a word)!

And now that I've tasted it... Oh yeah. This is a total keeper. So here is what you must do, run (don't walk) to the store and buy these ingredients:

Thick sliced bacon
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts (you can use thighs too)
2 cans of Cream of Chicken (or you can use mushroom if you prefer, but my kids prefer I don't)
1 cup of full fat sour cream (you already have bacon, come on you really going to use FF?)
2-3 Tablespoons of Smoked Paprika
Garlic Salt (or you can use real garlic [1-2 crushed cloves], but my kids prefer I don't)
Pepper (and salt if you don't use the garlic salt)

For preparation to go in your crockpot today: Wrap defrosted chicken in bacon and place in the bottom of a preheated crockpot. I usually turn mine on high then back to low when I'm all putting it in. Mix the soup, sour cream and all the spices together and taste, adjusting for your liking. Some days I need more paprika... some I need less. Depends on how snarky I am I think.  Pour well combined yummy sauce over the chicken in the crock and cover. Cook on High 4 hours or low 6-8 hours (until chicken is at 165). Serve over rice or noodles. Steamed carrots will be excellent with this meal.

For the freezer: Wrap frozen chicken breast in bacon and pack tightly into the bottom of a gallon sized zip lock bag. In another gallon bag combine Cream of chicken, sour cream, paprika (start with 1 table spoon first, taste and then add more to your liking), Garlic salt (again taste and see), and finally some pepper. Seal bag and mix well by squishing the bag many times. Make it all the same color. Taste and adjust to your families liking.

Store sauce and bacon wrapped chicken together in an additional freezer bag and label with this: Place chicken in the crockpot first, cover with sauce. Cook 4 hours on high, 6-8 on low. Serve with rice or pasta.

To see the other Stork Meals, click here.

Stork Meal 7: Cilantro Lime Chicken

Ohhhh yummy. It would have been even better with dark meat, but goodness was this meal great.

I wish I could remember where I wrote down the initial recipe from so I could give them a shout out, but for the life of me, I can't find it anywhere in my search results!

However, I did tweak the recipe a little (I bet you are sooo surprised) so maybe they would be shocked and perplexed.

Split between two gallon zip locks:
6 boneless chicken breasts (or equivalent boneless thighs)
2 cans corn (undrained)
2 cans of black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 red onion (diced)
1 tube of cilantro (or a whole bunch of cilantro)
Juice of two limes (or about 1/3-1/2 cup of lime juice total)

2 tablespoons of cumin
1-2 tablespoon of garlic

Mash bag well to combine.

Split between two quart bags:
4 cups of rice
2 chicken bouillon cubes (crushed into the rice bag)

Put one bag of each mixture into another gallon ziplock. Seal and label:
Cilantro Lime Chicken
4 hour on High or 8 hours on low
Combine rice bag with 2 cups of water and microwave for 5 minutes

Next time I make this meal, I may add in some chopped roasted red peppers for some more color... or even some tomatoes (that I can't eat). Not that it was missing anything... I just love color ;)

To see the other Stork Meals, click here.

Stork Meal 6: BBQ Pork Spare Ribs

This recipe could be really, really easy if you were in a bind.

2lbs of Country style pork ribs
1 onion cut in big chunks
2 bottles of BBQ sauce
Stick in the crockpot high 3-4 hours or low 6-7 and voilà!

However, this is totally not the way I roll. I have to do everything from scratch for a few basic reasons. Allergies. Allergies. And high fructose corn syrup.

So here is the recipe for the others of you who aren't in a "hurry up and get it in the crockpot".

2lbs Country style pork ribs
1 onion cut into big chunks

Add the following ingredients to a gallon sized ziplock .
1 and 1/2 cups of ketchup (Heinz Organic has no HFCS)
1 and 1/2 tablespoons of season salt
1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
I large onion quartered

Seal bag and mix by mashing the bag between your fingers until everything is the same color, texture, etc.
 Add the onions and pork and seal. Mash again and it's ready to be double bagged and frozen.

Defrost. Cook on high 3-4 hours in the crockpot or low 6-7 hours.

(Note, because this meal has ketchup in it, it does qualify in some folks books as a veggie. However, I always make an extra veggie for this meal. So, I included a quart sized bag of broccoli for them to steam the day they make the meal.) I also have a baguette for this meal, so I'd probably recommend them making this meal ASAP as I will include the baguette that is fresh.

To see the other Stork Meals, click here.

Stork Meal 5: Corn and Black Bean Taco Soup

I should have mentioned that I am really quite terrible about taking a picture of the meals before they are scarfed. Usually it's because I'm in the middle of feeding one of the seven people staying in this house right now, but sometimes I click it before it goes to the left over section of the refrigerator.

And today was one of those days. I didn't even THINK about taking a picture until I was putting everything into containers for the freezer/frig... then I quickly snapped the below pic with my phone and called it good.

I do solemly swear to try to take a picture of the completed meals from now on... Did you notice the TRY word? Yeah, we will see how that goes.

Okay, so today's meal is a family favorite of ours. My good friend Jenneffer E from Ellsworth AFB, SD served this to my family way back in like 2006... maybe even 2005. I was so enamored with it that I told her I had to have the recipe. She looked at me like I had two heads, "It's left overs!"

Whaaaa??

How can something THIS GOOD and this beautiful be made of leftovers?

Over the years, I've since lost her exact words on how the recipe went, but I always remember what goes in it (always a different leftover meat) and how to enjoy it (smoothered in cheese, sour cream and chips)!

However, when I was doing some research for my Stork Meals, I came across a gals recipe that used black beans and I was like DUH! Black beans are the perfect compliment... so I added them in and if could have been any more perfect then it was, I dunno what else would have to go in it.

We didn't have any leftover meat (because this whole house is full of carnivorous folks) so I am using ground beef for the recipe.

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef (or 2-3 cups left over meat cubed)
1 tsp olive oil
1 medium onion
1-2 Tablespoons garlic
1-2 packages of taco seasoning
2 cans of black beans (rinsed and drained)
2 cans of corn (not creamed and undrained)
2 cans of fire roasted tomatoes and green chilies  (undrained)
1 small can of diced green chilies (undrained)
8oz of tomato sauce (not spaghetti sauce)
2 cans diced potatoes (undrained)
(You will also need cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips when serving)

Now remember I said this was a leftover meal for her? She would throw all of her leftover veggies into this dish instead of some of the above canned goods. However, she always added more!

If you are using left over meat, follow the directions below these for LEFT-OVER MEAT.

Dice onion and garlic and place to large skillet with olive oil. Cook for a couple minutes to soften the onions then add ground beef. Cook until beef is just brown and then add taco seasoning. Here is where you taste and see just how much taco seasoning you want. Remember this is going to combine in the crockpot with the liquid from the corn, potatoes and tomatoes. So don't be shy.

If you are prepping this meal for the freezer, cool the mixture and place in gallon sized bag with all the rest of the ingredients. You should have a nice full bag. Be sure to label and double bag.

Day of cooking, defrost and put in the crockpot. If you think you need more juice, add broth or just water, but usually it turns out perfect. Crockpot on high for 2-3 hours or low 4-5. Serve with fresh grated cheddar or pepper jack and a dollop of sour cream. Crumble tortilla chips into the bowl or use the chips as your spoon.

Directions for LEFT-OVER MEAT:
Because your meat is already cooked (and usually left overs at our house are chicken breasts) you don't want to put them in the crockpot for 2-5 hours and suck what remains of the juices out of them. I've tried this before, it doesn't work. You'd think being in all that broth and yumminess that it would add to... but no. So here is what you do.

Three ziplocks needed. First ziplock should be the cubed meat. Seal it and place it in an empty gallon sized ziplock. Next, add the cooked (but cooled) onions and garlic to lasts ziplock bag and then add BOTH envelopes of taco seasoning. If you use the large jar of seasoning I'd say about 1/3 of a cup. Add in all the remaining ingredients. So you will have two sealed bags. A meat bag and a soup bag inside the final ziplock.

With this version, you will cook the soup just like you did above but add in the defrosted meat in during the last 30-45 minutes, just long enough for it to become the same temperature as the mixture but NOT COOK!

Then you can eat to your hearts content... or your stomachs. ;)

To see the other Stork Meals, click here.

Stork Meal 4: Italian Beef

My sister is not a red meat fan. She used to be, but something about this pregnancy has turned red  meat into a not so pleasant time in the bathroom. So when I make things for her, I try really hard to keep the red meat out.

However, this was one of those meals that she was willing to try because it sounded so good (like I said, she used to be a red meat fan).

It's a take on the classic French Dip sandwich but its more chunky and made in the crockpot. It's such a simple recipe that I feel bad for making a whole post about it! But, I will. Because it's good.

The recipe is as follows...

3-5 pounds of Beef
2 dry Italian seasoning packets
2 cans of beef broth.

Sound easy?

It's just that easy.

When I buy my beef, I choose a different cut every time. Reason, I'm looking for the meat with the most marbling. That means there are white lines of fat running through the meat. So sometimes I pick a rump. Sometimes I pick bottom round or a chuck roast. I just look for those fat lines and go from there. DON'T GET an expensive cut of meat. Because you are going to slow cook this all day, you don't want something fancy it will just fall to bits. And you don't want that.

For freezing, just combine everything in a gallon zipper bag and seal. Place inside another zipper bag for safety.

To cook, put everything in the crockpot and cook on high 5 hours or low 10 hours. Because it's beef, the desired doneness is up to you. About 45 minutes before I want to serve, I take the meat out and slice it (or shred it if it shreds) then throw it back into the crockpot on warm. I allow it to sit and soak until time to eat.

Serve over hoagie rolls like a french dip sandwich, or serve like an open faced sandwich. Serve with extra juice from the crock.

Sister had seconds.

To see the other Stork Meals, click here.

Stork Meal 2: African Soup

Day two of meal making for the new mom and sometimes things don't always go as they're planned. See in our house, African soup is a huge win. My FIL grew up in West Africa and this was and continues to be a staple in their house. All the grand kids love this meal and up until today, I had no idea why.

I mean I loved it... but now I am allergic. No tomatoes for me. But if I hadn't found I was allergic, I would have enjoyed it after I made it. Instead, I fed it to the gang and waited for the reviews from my sister.

Needless to say, Mom-to-be wasn't a super fan. She said it tasted like Spaghetti Os. That is a win in some folks books, but apparently this is NOT a meal that we will be making for her freezer. However, I make it for mine ALL the time, so I will still share the recipe.

What you will need:

4 Gallon bags
2 quart bags
2 Large cans of tomato puree
2 Large cans of crushed tomatoes
2 sticks of butter
2 cans of SPAM (yes, I said it... SPAM)
1-2 Tablespoons of crushed red pepper flakes
1 Large can of green beans
4 cups minute rice

Just be glad you aren't in Western Africa, they use monkey meat. No kidding.

So here is what you do.

Melt butter in large sauce pot. Add in cubed spam and fry for 5-8 minutes. Some of the pieces could get crispy, but they don't all have to be. Add in all the tomatoes and red pepper flakes and allow it to cool.

Divide green beans into the two quart sized bags and place into gallon bags A & B.
Divide white minute rice into two quart sized bags and place into gallon bags A & B.

When the mixture is cool, divide into gallon bags C & D and seal tightly. Then place the sealed mixtures into A & B respectively along with the green beans and rice.  Seal and write this on the outside: Defrost.Place tomato mixture in sauce pan and simmer for 6+ hours until reduced one-third. Add green beans and cook for 30 minutes. Combine 2 cups of water with rice in microwaveable container and microwave on high for 5 minutes (or until water is absorbed). Serve African soup over rice.

You could make this in the crockpot, but it will have to cook a lot longer to reduce down enough.

If you have your reservations about the SPAM in this, don't knock it till you try it. I'm not at all a spam fan, but this is great!

To see the other Stork Meals, click here.

Freezer Meals from the Stork

Have you ever wondered what to get a new mom who has everything?

FREEZER MEALS!

There are plenty of "Make and Take" meal preparation companies around the country and if you have the money, you should totally try one out. Basically its Once a Month Cooking for beginners. It's a fabulous way to get your mind wrapped around how this all should work. A few places to check in your area are:

• Dinner A'Fare - http://www.dinnerafare.com/
• Dream Dinners - http://dreamdinners.com/
• Super Suppers - http://www.supersuppers.com/ 

When you go to one of these facilities, they will have all the ingredients and tools ready for you to create meals in full or half sized portions, which is really amazing. It's definitely worth your money and the food is top notch!

However, after doing these food prep things, you come to realize everything they do, you can do. Yes, it's worth it's weight in gold to have someone else do the prepping and clean up, but when you have extra time to do it yourself, you really should!

If you are new to the Once a Month Cooking idea, be sure to read my post here - Once a Month Cooking: How do I Start? However if you are a veteran to this whole cooking in bulk thing, read on.

Parents, I'm sure you will be the first to chime in and agree with me that after having your first, second, or even third babies, sometimes meals are thrown to the take-out man (unless your church/family provides them hot for you right to your door). Today's idea stems from this very idea. Most new moms are tired after a long day and figuring out the baby's needs. Never mind the mamma's needs, it's all about baby. I remember forgetting to even EAT after I had my first child because I was just happy to sleep when the child slept. My husband would come home wondering what was for dinner and unfortunately some freezer tray processed food ended up winning almost every time in the first two months.

This is a travesty! New moms should NOT be eating that garbage and you can help!

My sister is having her first baby on November 11th (or thereabouts) and the best thing I can do for her is stock her freezer. So in the next two weeks, I will be trying and posting recipes that I am preparing for her freezer. Recipes that only require defrosting in the frig the night before and then into the crockpot or oven with no additional prep (a few might require minute rice prep or steam veggie prep, but this can be done in microwave). This will revolutionize her meal time (and probably spoil her rotten) post baby and provide her and the baby with the protein they need to stay healthy!

Do you know a pregnant mom who could benefit from a few meals prepped and ready to go in her freezer? I bet you do. You should bless her by stocking her freezer! I hope you'll try these recipes out with us!

To see the Stork Meals I've already posted, click here. 

Taco Soup

2 lbs Cooked Ground Beef (or any cubed meat)
1 Bag Frozen Stew Veggies (any type)
1 Can of Corn (not creamed)
Taco Seasoning
Chili Powder or Red Peppers
8 Cups of Beef Stock (or Bouillon)

Directions: Combine first 5 ingredients in a gallon sized zip lock. If using bouillon cubes, you can put the bouillon in the bag as well but do not add the water. Write on the bag “Add 8 Cups of Water” or “add 8 Cups Beef Broth”. Seal.
Freezing: Put in a double zip lock and store in the freezer up to 4 months.

Cooking: Defrost. Pour contents of the bag into a slow cooker (crockpot) and add broth or water. Slow cook for 7 to 8 hours on LOW, or until veggies are done. Or cook on stove until veggies are done. Serve with tortilla chips crushed into each bowl and topped with shredded cheese.

Crock Pot Chili

Ingredients:
2 lbs. ground chuck
1 cup chopped onion
1 green pepper, chopped
2 to 3 ribs celery, chopped
1 large (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 cans kidney beans, drained
1 tsp. pepper
3 tsp. chili powder
hot pepper, to taste, cayenne
Garlic to taste

Directions: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain well. Combine all ingredients.
Freezing: Put in a double zip lock and store in the freezer up to 4 months.

Cooking: Defrost. In a slow cooker; cover and cook for 7 to 8 hours on LOW, or until done.

Spicy Chili

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
2 onions, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14 oz.) cans chopped tomatoes, undrained
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 (15 oz.) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Preparation: Cook ground beef with onions and garlic in heavy skillet until ground beef is brown and vegetables are tender; drain. Mix all ingredients except cornstarch and water in saucepan. Put cornstarch in a freezer bag with "1/4 cup water" written on it.

Freezing: Put in Freezer safe container with cornstarch beside it. Store in the freezer up to 3-6 months.

Cook: Combine cornstarch and water. Add to mix. Place in crockpot 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low or until the chili is ready. Or you can put in a Pot on the stove for 50-60 minutes or until thick.