The countdown has begun to the many upcoming holidays and for most of us moms that also means plenty of meals to plan and prepare .
We have joined together with the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association in a blog tour to share our own meal planning tips for the upcoming Holiday season.
Frozen foods are a great alternative when planning meals and can easily be purchased weeks ahead of use. Frozen foods include healthy produce, perfectly-portioned meals, a variety of ethnic cuisines and dishes to meet strict dietary needs. Freezing is the best method for preserving food
It’s been a natural, trusted practice for centuries, As it preserves foods at the peak of freshness, from the moment they’re harvested or procured.
We moms want real, simple, nutritious, delicious, affordable and customizable meals and snacks and all of these wants can be met in the freezer aisle.
The refrigerated dairy aisle is where we moms go to find the foods we count on every day – Refrigerated foods are made from real, simple, fresh, farm-grown ingredients and can be customized to fit within a well-balanced lifestyle. Not only are these wholesome ingredients nutritious, they taste delicious and leave everyone at mealtime feeling satisfied. In the refrigerated dairy aisle you can find a variety of indulgent treats. From mouthwatering appetizers to decadent desserts, the refrigerated dairy aisle offers it all.
Look at all these possibilities
This year be prepared by having your Refrigerator and freezer stocked with ingredients for your celebration meals.
6 Steps to prepare for the upcoming Holiday meals
1. Choose new recipes – try out new recipes that simplify your holiday meals using ingredients you can buy ahead from the Freezer and Refrigerator section of the grocery. Two our family favorite recipes to create using items I have purchased ahead of time from the Freezer and Refrigerator section of the grocery store are below. You can also find great recipes at EasyHomeMeals.com
2. Meal plan – Use a calendar to write down your dinner meals for each night including the big celebration meals. Be sure to include last minute fast meals for those busy nights during this time of year as well as kid friendly meals for the nights you and your husband may be out at holiday parties.
3. Inventory – your refrigerator, freezer and pantry for the needed ingredients
4. Stock up – on the needed ingredients that you can store in your freezer and refrigerator by making a shopping list.
5. Shop ahead – Take a 1/2 day or even a full day to shop for all the ingredients for your upcoming menus , nightly meals and dishes you will nee dto take to holiday gatherings.
6. Relax – knowing your ingredients are ready and waiting for you to prepare your Holiday meals.
Two of our family favorite recipes using Frozen and Refrigerated ingredients
Freezer Meatballs
Meatball Appetizer recipe that can be made ahead and placed in the freezer ready to thaw and cook in your crock pot for a simple holiday appetizer.
Makes about 20 medium size meatballs
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup onion – chopped
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 T. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 T. parsley flakes
- 1 t. teaspoon salt
- 1/8 t. pepper
Directions:
Dad’s Famous Broccoli Dish
My kids favorite side dish at every holiday and birthday is Dad’s famous broccoli dish – just don’t tell your kids what the ingredients are
Ingredients
2 10-oz. packages frozen, chopped Broccoli
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup pure mayonnaise
2 eggs well beaten
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sliced almonds
salt and pepper to taste
2 packages of Ritz crackers
Directions
Defrost/thaw Chopped broccoli
Mix together in large bowl: broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, eggs, cheese, almonds, salt and pepper.
Butter a 9×13 casserole baking dish and pour mixture into dish.
Crush the Ritz crackers in a zip lock bag, then pour over top of broccoli mixture
Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes
More Meal Time Ideas:
The meal possibilities are endless with ideas from the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association
NFRA Website – http://bit.ly/eeSHsU
EasyHomeMeals.com Website – http://bit.ly/1aHgFQi
EasyHomeMeals.com on Facebook – http://on.fb.me/1c20dqy
NFRA on Pinterest – http://bit.ly/1atNwlC
NFRA on Twitter – http://bit.ly/1bdS3LG
The Dish Diary on Tumblr – http://bit.ly/1c1ZOVc
* Disclaimer: This is a compensated campaign on behalf of National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association through the Mom It Forward Blogger Network.