Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Crockpot Freezer Meal: Apple Cherry Pork Loin

  • 2 lb pork tenderloin
  • 1 c. fresh cherries, pitted. (OR use dried cherries or cranberries, about a cup, I just eyeballed it)
  • 1 c. apples, diced
  • 3/4 c. apple juice
  • 1/2 c. water
  • 1/2 c. onion, diced
  • 1/2 c. celery, diced
  • salt & pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients in gallon freezer bag. TIP: Take gallon size freezer bag and write on the outside the name of the recipe, and cooking instructions, that way you don't have to pull out the recipe when you are ready to use it.

To use, thaw, then cook in crock pot on HIGH for 4 hours or until pork is cooked through.

Crockpot Freezer Meal: Thai Pork with Peanut Sauce

  • 2 lb pork tenderloin (cut into 4 or so pieces)
  • 1/3 c. prepared teriyaki sauce
  • 2 tbl. rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 c. creamy peanut butter (I'm using chunky because it's what I have on hand)
  • 1/4 c. dry roasted peanuts
  • 1/2 c. green onions thinly sliced
Place pork, teriyaki, vinegar, red pepper flakes and garlic in  gallon size freezer bag. (TIP: Take gallon size freezer bag and write on the outside the name of the recipe, and cooking instructions, that way you don't have to pull out the recipe when you are ready to use it.)

When ready to use, thaw and put in slow cooker on LOW for 7-9 hours. Check around 6 1/2, you don't want it over cooked. Depends on your slow cooker.

Remove pork and cut into chunks. Add peanut butter to sauce and stir until it dissolves.

Return pork to slow cooker and mix with sauce. Serve over jasmine rice, or whatever rice you have on hand, sprinkle top with peanuts and green onions.

Crockpot Freezer Meal: Honey Mustard Pork Tenderloin

  • 1-2 pork tenderloins
  • 1/4 c. grainy mustard (I used dijon instead, it's what I had on hand)
  • 1/4 c. honey
  • Optional: Add 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar and garlic clove.
Mix all ingredients  in freezer bag. (TIP: Take gallon size freezer bag and write on the outside the name of the recipe, and cooking instructions, that way you don't have to pull out the recipe when you are ready to use it.)

When ready to use, empty into slow cooker (while frozen) and cook LOW for 8 hours.

Freezer Meal: Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Chops

  • 5 boneless pork chops
  • 1/4 c. brown sugar
  • 1/8 tsp ground red pepper 
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • salt & pepper to taste

Mix seasonings together, put pork chops and seasonings in freezer bag. (TIP: Take gallon size freezer bag and write on the outside the name of the recipe, and cooking instructions, that way you don't have to pull out the recipe when you are ready to use it.)

Squeeze air, freeze flat (easier storage).

Thaw completely in the fridge, place pork  chops on foil lined baking sheet and cook at 350 for 35-45 minutes.

Crockpot Freezer Meal: Ranch Pork Chops

  • 6 boneless pork chops
  • 1 packet ranch dressing powder
  • 1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 c. milk
Add pork chops and ranch dressing powder to freezer bag, seal. (TIP: Take gallon size freezer bag and write on the outside the name of the recipe, and cooking instructions, that way you don't have to pull out the recipe when you are ready to use it)

Dump contents of freezer bag to crock pot. Add the cream soup and milk.  Cook HIGH for 4-6 hrs or LOW 6-8 hours.

NOTE: don't overcook, you'll loose the "Gravy". 

Freezer Side Dish: Herb Dijon Potato Wedges

  • 6-7 small red potatoes, cubed or wedged, however you prefer
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp crushed garlic
  • 1 tsp dill
  • 1/2 tsp thyme
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tsp dijon mustard
Mix all ingredients in bag and freeze! (TIP: Take gallon size freezer bag and write on the outside the name of the recipe, and cooking instructions, that way you don't have to pull out the recipe when you are ready to use it.)

When ready to cook, bake (from frozen) at 475 for 25 minutes or until desired tenderness. Cover with foil but remove during last 5 minutes to allow for browning.

Crockpot Freezer Meal: Cilantro Lime Chicken w/ Corn & Black Beans

  • 6-8 boneless chicken breasts
  • 4 tbl olive oil
  • 2+ limes juiced (I eyeballed it with a prepackaged lime juice squeezer thing)
  • 2 cups cilantro, chopped
  • 1 bag frozen corn
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 finely chopped red onion
  • 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tsp cumin or chipotle powder
  • salt & pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients in large bowl and split into two freezer bags. (TIP: Take gallon size freezer bag and write on the outside the name of the recipe, and cooking instructions, that way you don't have to pull out the recipe when you are ready to use it.)

Thaw the night before or run under cold water until ingredients loosen up. Cook in crock pot on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4.

Yummy in a burrito, or by itself, topped with any of your favorite toppings. Cheese, Guacamole, Green Onions, Sour Cream, etc.

I had more beans and corn than chicken so I used the left over as a chip dip!

Crockpot Freezer Meal: French "Dump Chicken"

Very easy, cheap chicken meal!

  • 4-6 boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 can cranberry sauce
  • 8 oz. French Dressing (aka Catalina)
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix
TIP: Take gallon size freezer bag and write on the outside the name of the recipe, and cooking instructions, that way you don't have to pull out the recipe when you are ready to use it.

Mix all ingredients in bag, seal, and freeze! Thaw the night before (or run under water until ingredients loosen up) and cook in crock pot on LOW for 4-6 hours.

Great over rice! 

Freezer Meal: Carribean "Dump Chicken"

Dump Chicken = You literally put everything in a bag, freeze it and dump it in the crock pot when ready to use!

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
  • 8 oz pineapple chunks in juice
  • 1/4 c. brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/3 c. orange juice
  • 1/2 c. golden raisins
For immediate cooking:  Place all ingredients in baking dish, coating chicken. Bake at 350 for 30 min or so until chicken juices run clear.

For freezer cooking: (TIP: Take gallon size freezer bag and write on the outside the name of the recipe, and cooking instructions, that way you don't have to pull out the recipe when you are ready to use it.) Place all ingredients in bag, seal, and freeze! Thaw the night before and follow above cooking directions.

Serve with anything, I ate it over rice, it was good to soak up the sauce.

Crockpot Freezer Meal: Teriyaki Chicken

  • 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tbl cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 clove minced garlic
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp water
TIP: Take gallon size freezer bag and write on the outside the name of the recipe, and cooking instructions, that way you don't have to pull out the recipe when you are ready to use it.

Place all ingredients (except cornstarch and water) in a gallon freezer bag.  Seal, and try to get all ingredients flat in the bag, it makes for easy storage.

Take bag out the night before, and place in crock pot when thawed (or run frozen bag under water till ingredients loosen up), cook LOW for 4-5 hours.

Remove chicken, cut up, and strain liquid into skillet and boil. Mix together cornstarch and water and pour into skillet to thicken sauce. Serve over brown rice!