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Freezer Meal Ideas
Freezer Friendly Meals for New Mums
When you’ve just come home from hospital with a new bundle of joy, there is nothing better than knowing that your meals are sorted! I’ve got all the tips and tricks you need for getting together a whole freezer full of meals that are great for defrosting and reheating.
Getting started on freezer meals
Depending on how many people you are feeding, then you might want to invest in some containers first! If things are frozen in the right size portions, then there will be very little waste and it will be easy to grab a meal from the freezer.
Label everything
Labelling is super important. Whether you write directly on the containers (use a whiteboard marker and it comes off in the dishwasher) or onto sello tape and stick to the containers, it’s important to label with what the meal is, when it was made and how many people it will feed. I am speaking from experience here! You might think you will recognise everything you put into the freezer, but when it turns into a brown unrecognisable lump, you won’t…and trust me…massaman curry spaghetti is weird.
Freezing basics
As soon as the meal has finished cooking, you must divide into portions and refrigerate. When the meal has reached fridge temp, immediately transfer to the freezer. This is the best way to keep food within the temperature safe zone for food. No-one wants to end up with gastro!
Defrosting basics
Either defrost in the fridge overnight and then completely reheat until above 65 degrees or defrost and reheat in one go in the microwave. Once a meal is defrosted it cannot be refrozen and should be eaten within 48 hours.
Choosing meals
Choose meals that you love and that are full meals, i.e. don’t need any extras added in! We like things like:
Beef spinach and ricotta lasagne
Moroccan Lamb (freeze of a bed of couscous)
Butter chicken Curry with Veggies (freeze on a bed of rice)
Choose things you can easily double or triple batch so that you can put a few options aside.
Don’t forget the snacks
When I was a new mum,. I was constantly hungry, but never had the right snacks around. Look for high energy, milk boosting snacks like these caramel and chocolate bliss balls, or yummy anzac cookies, all of which can be stored in the freezer for when they are needed. Most cookies, scrolls, blissballs and cakes can be frozen and will defrost quickly in the fridge.
Taking out a days worth of food the night before means you are able to eat, no matter what the day throws at you. And not being hungry means at least one layer of stress is lifted.
Kylie blogs at Kidgredients. She is a mum to two kids, Miss 11 and Master 9 and loves to feed them delicious homemade meals. Her blog is full of easy to make family meals and lunchbox items.
See more Freezer Meal Ideas
Freezer Meal Ideas