Next cooking date.

We are starving up here. Well, we aren't starving but I am cooking a whole lot more than I want to!

Who's in?

Hope we have some good eats!

All the meals we made this month are posted below. All these recipes are on their maiden voyage so who knows how good the cooking directions are. Please post feedback after you eat so we can see if we should keep or delete these recipes. If any that are going to transfer funds need my account number..let me know.

Since we are going to cook separately and then gather to swap from now on, someone needs to decide how often we want to do it. It might be easy if we set up a standard day (Second Tuesday of each month for example) so we don't have scheduling chaos. Maybe we could meet for a late dinner after kids are in bed and it is easier to leave the homestead? The people at my house could care less if I am around so long as they have food and cable so you young mommas need to decide what works best.

XOXO

Southwest Potato Skins

Tarragon Chicken

Quiche Lorraine

Stuffing Meat Loaves

Pork Chop and Potatos

Pizza in a Dish

Moroccan Hamburgers

Macaroni and Cheese with Ham Cubes

Low Fat Diet Coke Chicken

Beef and Cheese Roll-ups

Green Chili Burritos

Here is the deal---

Friday, October 9th

4:00

Susan's house

Bring you cooler

pans-3 are mandatory-5 would be better

Be there or be square (and hungry).

Cooking date

Soooooo--------who can cook the weekend of October 16th/17th?

so september?

anyone? anyone? i am in disneyworld sept 12-17, but open otherwise. anyone else want to get back to the foodie business?

Thanks!

Thank you to everyone for your help today. It was another success! Thanks especially to Jo for her hard work, and allowing us to use her home, when it wasn't even her turn!!

Please leave your tips, and reviews of the recipes in the respective posts below.

Happy Eating!

Nat

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Thaw sauce and pork chops. Combine together in crockpot. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8-10 hours.

Tortilla Soup

Thaw. Simmer for 30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, and cheese.

Stromboli

Thaw. Brush with beaten egg yolk. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Thaw overnight. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Breaded Ranch Chicken

Thaw. BAke at 375 degrees for 1 hour.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Thaw. Cook covered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry

Thaw chicken overnight. Combine with vegetables in a skillet.

Gammy's Sweet n' Sour Meatballs

Thaw. Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes. Serve over rice.

Beef & Cheese Quesadillas

Spoon the meat mixture onto one half of tortilla. Fold tortillas in half to close. Spray tops of tortillas with cooking spray. Bake at 450 degrees for 8 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Bird's Nest Pie

Thaw. Bake covered, 45 mintures at 350 degrees. Uncover, sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese. Bake 5 minutes.

The Plan...

Hey Ladies,

The time on Friday, June 19th, has changed to 2:00 PM, at Jo's house.

Please bring:

3- 9x9 pans
1- pie tin
A cooler with ice
Cookie dough if you're in the exchange (Suz, Meg, Angel, Kelli..anyone else?)

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks! See you soon!

Nat

A Date!

So, I figured I start a new post because the comments were getting to be a bit exhausting on the other post. As Jo mentioned, it's going to be a task getting everyone together at the same time to cook this summer, so I just decided to pick a date. If you can come, we would love to have you, if not, let us know if you want food, and we'll count you in. I will include stromboli, but would love any other suggestions you may have on meal choices. Chicken is not cheap, so the meals will probably be a bit more expensive this go round.

Here's the plan:

Friday, June 19, 2009
4:00 PM
At Jolene's House (hope that's okay, Jo..let me know)

I'm Fired!

So, May is officially over today, and we didn't cook. Worst yet, we still don't have a date planned. Life is getting crazier by the minute, and we need to get something scheduled before June flies by, too. When can we get together??..That is if you're still interested in doing it!

A thawing hint

I just want to share a trick I tried today. I got the Stomboli out of the freezer last night. This morning it was still frozen solid. I worry about leaving food out on the counter all day to thaw because of bacteria etc. It's been taking about 48 hrs. to thaw my meals in the fridge. So, today out of desperation, I brought up a small cooler and put the stromboli in it. When I got home at 5:00 it was thawed but still cool, not warm. I think this will work with our other meals too. I'll try it and let you know.

Busy, Busy...

Hello All!

Kelli, and I are in charge of meals this month, and as I look over the calendar, I realized that life is nuts. As we talked last time, Kelli, and Meghan think Saturdays are a better day to cook. I don't have a preference, but Saturdays that aren't booked, are in short supply this month. It's too late to do it this Saturday, Charlie's Race is next Saturday, then it's Memorial Day weekend. I don't have plans Memorial Day weekend, but I'm sure some of you do. If not, we could do it then, Saturday, May 23rd, or how about Saturday, May 30th?

Would a weekday work? I know that the summer gets even crazier so it would be nice to have some pre-made meals to make life a bit easier. Leave your thoughts and let me know.

Thanks,

Nat

I heart freezer meals!!!

Thanks for helping me fill my freezer and my belly. I love our food group!!!

Thanks for your help last night. Especially with the clean up!

Here's a list of our meals.  I choose some of our meals by the comments left on previous post.  So, if you love or hate a meal, be sure to leave a comment.  Happy eating!

Chicken Stir Fry

Oriental Casserole

Stromboli

Hammy Macaroni and Cheese

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Company's Coming Chicken

Breaded Ranch Chicken

Taco Casserole

Yummy Spaghetti Bake

Beef and Cheese Quesadillas

Tortilla Chicken Soup

Thursday, April 9th is our next cooking night. Meet at 4:00 at Jo's house. You will need 5 pans. I have bought some cheap foil pans, we have 15 of these. So, if you don't have 5 pans, I do have some you can use. Bring your cooler with ice. Do you want to pick up some pizza for dinner while we are cooking dinners? Ironic isn't it? See you Thursday.
PS. Does any one have a rice cooker they could bring? Don't worry Katie, you can make yours without rice.

PPS. Anyone have Cayenne Pepper?  We only need 1/4 of a teaspoon, and I'd hate to buy a whole container.

Next?

First of all, Happy Birthday to Angel! Hope it's a great day.

Now, I have planned the next 10 meals and have shopped for can goods to get a better deal. I also got more chicken at a killer deal. I went back through the blogs and chose some favorites as well as some new ones. I tried to get a variety of meats for the meals. (Side note, I miss not being able to comment on the new meals.) I know the Christensen's were talking about going to BRR Lake over Easter break.  So, when do you all want to play again? (I still have lots of meals, so I'm in no hurry.)

Here's the list of meals:

Chicken Tortilla soup

Beef and Cheese Quesadillas

Yummy Spaghetti Bake

Taco Casserole

Breaded Ranch Chicken

Company's Coming Chicken

Hammy Macaroni and Cheese

Stomboli

Oriental Casserole

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

cora paige

this it the baby i was talking about tonight. if you want to read her story, see below for her post about getting sick, and go from there. i was wrong on the date. jan 12th - feb 9th. 3 weeks. awful. http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/2009/01/sick.html

if its too much emotion to read, just go to their home page and they have a link to the etsy site. i can't figure out how to get the button for my page. i know its tragically sad, but i love to read about the faith people have, and again (in case we needed it) be reminded of how good people are. and how one litttle baby can change lives. bless their little family.

i had a great time tonight even though the babes were there. it will be harder for me to get away from the fam 2 times, but maybe if the cooking only takes 2.5 hours, it won't be so bad. excited about the meals!

Saturday at 12:30

I have picked meals that are mostly assembly so we should only be a couple hours.

If you would like to bring your own pans you need

• 3 pans (8x8 square or 9x13 for Suz)
• 1 pie pan
• cooler with ice

If you don't bring pans I will provide disposable pans for a small fee (I think they are 50 cents each)

Here is the menu:

• Pulled pork sandwiches
• Creamy Italian Chicken
• Bird's Nest Casserole
• Cheese Manocotti
• Creamy Pasta & Ham
• Salsa Chicken Tortilla
• Texas Toast (side dish)
• Tatter Tot Casserole
• Baked Corn (side dish)
• Mexican Lasagna
• BBQ Ribs- Rob requested this so he will be preparing it with a secret sauce

I have bought wheat pasta for Amanda and ground turkey for Meghan. Any other special requests?

Last Minute Plan

SO, here is the plan. Those of you that still want to cook together meet at my (Angel's-1292 N 640 W. West Bountiful) house this Saturday at 12:30 and those of you that would rather cook when it is convenient for you pick up your materials at my house sometime that works for you. We will meet for dinner/lunch sometime next week (does Paradise on Thurs night work for anyone?) to exchange the meals the "home-cookers" are doing and enjoy each others company. I have room in my freezer for storing meals so the people that don't come Sat can pick up their "away-cooker" meals the night of the gathering. Last time we did 10 meals so if everyone is just in charge of one meal it should go rather quickly. Since it is such late notice I will choose the meals according to our supplies and any deals I find. I don't think we have any of the good deal meat left so it may be more expensive this time. Sorry. I will post the menu tomorrow as well as supplies to bring.

Also those that want to make cookies again, I would love to have more. Please write a comment if you want to join in the cookie exchange or not so we can know the amount to bring. Also can someone call Cheryl and Erin and anyone else that doesn't have access to the blog to tell them about the plan? Can't wait to see you Sat.

Something to think about... What if we did twice the amount of meals and met every other month? still with the option that if you can't make it on cooking day or you would rather cook at home you could still pick up the materials and exchange.

---Angel

And the verdict is?

The vote is 50/50 so what is the plan? Someone needs to take charge. I am running lowish on food so I say someone needs to take charge sooner than later.

Not it!

A New Idea

So, tonight some of us Gines' were talking about our cooking group. We love having our frozen food dinners, and we love hanging with our family! We were thinking that sometimes it is hard to find a date where all of us can come. Also, for those that work, it takes a whole Saturday away from their kids and family.
We thought that we could try the idea that is in the "Girlfriends on the Go" book. Their idea is to have everyone pick a meal that they like. They make and freeze their meal for all 10 people at their homes. Then we pick a date that we can all get together and exchange the meals. We could eat lunch and just chat with each other! No stress, no mess, and all fun!! Since everyone would be doing their own shopping for their meal, everyone would save their reciepts. We would add up everyone's reciepts and split the cost evenly! What do you all think of this idea? I have put a poll on the side. Please vote!
By the way, don't try to blog with Jolene and Natalie editing eveything you type!

I think I misunderstood the assignment :0

I baked the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and this is what happened. I don't have any idea how this happened. Any ideas?

They were not burned so i still ate them and they were really good.

I just don't understand where I went wrong with these cookies.

desserts

angels ice cream roll
peanut butter choc chip cookies
chocolate/white chip cookies
normas oatmeal cookies
utah state cookies
cheryls oatmeal cc cookies
punkin chocolate chip

saucy vegetables.

i couldn't remember what it was called. sorry suz

Chicken Pot Pie

chicken fajita burgers

breakfast casserole

gammys meatloaf

scipio meatballs

low fat beefy fettuccini?

jack soup

mini bbq chicken pizzas

cheesy chicken burritos

this is the one in the crock pot.

What to bring and when to bring it......

Things to bring tomorrow:
cooler with ice
pie pan/dish
bread pan
Crock Pot
2 baking dishes (or foil dishes)


If everyone labeled their pans and such before they arrived it might solve some of the who's is this confusion we have experienced in past months.

We also need a few toasters and a few large pots for simmering and some chicken cutting implements.

The people would like to get an early start so please arrive at 8:30.

poll is open.

go vote. i can't vote for those who already did, so go add your vote.

Vote for 5

We are for sure going to make the following:
Chicken Pot Pies
Meatloaf
A breakfast diddy that the Christensen Clan has yet to experience
Taco Soup
A chicken/black bean/salsa fare that is a Longman favorite. This will use some of the zillion tortillas in Jo's freezer.

Take a look at the recipes below and tell me what you would like. These recipes are from a book that Kathie (Angel's momma) bought when she went to a freezer baking class. You will notice that many of these recipes are totally cooked before they are frozen so they only require reheat so they will be quick. (Hopefully Meggie can quit the raucous partying long enough to put a poll on the side so we can vote! She is a bead collecting maniac!) There is also some snazzy software that makes a shopping list and printing freezer labels. Yahhhhhoo.


The first 2 recipes cook in the crock pot so we need to decide on one of the two.

New England Clam Chowder
bacon, clams, onion, green onion, potatoes, water, salt, pepper, milk, cream of chicken and celery soups.
This cooks in a crock pot and is frozen after it cools.


Cheesy Chicken Burritos
chicken, salsa, cream of chicken soup, green chilies, cheddar and Monterrey jack cheeses, onion, olives.
Chicken cooks for 2 hours in a crock pot and then juices are drained and other ingredients are added and the mixture is cooked another 3 hours before the chicken is shredded, cooled, and frozen. Served after thawed and heated with tortillas.

Choose whatever you want out of the rest:
Porcupine Meatballs
ground beef, onion, rice, tomato soup, chili powder, salt, water.
This cooks in the oven for 45 minutes and is frozen in a zippy after cook. Thaw and warm to eat. It can also be frozen and cooked for an hour after thawed.

Bacon Chicken
Chicken breast, bacon, sliced beef, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream.
This is baked in the oven for 2 hours and frozen after it cools. To serve you thaw and bake for another hour and serve over mashed potatoes or hot buttered noodles.

Jack Soup
Ground beef, onion, water, tomatoes, carrots, salt, bay leaf, Monterrey jack cheese.
This is cooked on the stove top for 1.5 hours and cooled before freezing. to serve you heat just to boiling and add the cheese.

Chicken Fajitas
Cornstarch, chili powder, salt, paprika, sugar, chicken bouillon, onion and garlic powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, chicken, onion, bell pepper.
This cooks on the stop top and is served after thawing and heating in warm tortillas. You can top them with all the regular fav's

Chicken Fajita Burgers
Onion, red and green bell peppers, garlic, chicken, lime juice, chili powder, salt.
The onions and peppers are browned on the stove top. The chicken is ground and added to the vege's and spices. The patties are formed into 2X4 inches patties and arranged in gallon bags for freezing. They are served grilled or broiled and wrapped in warm tortillas with salsa and Avocado dressing (that has a recipe in the book for side dishes).

BBQ Chicken Mini Pizzas
English muffins, BBQ sauce, chopped chicken, red onion, mozzarella.
The muffins are toasted and then the toppings are applied. Each pizza is placed in a zippy and laid flat until they are frozen and then all the little bags go into a gallon zippy. These are served after they have been broiled or heated in a toaster oven.


Speak now.

Cookie Dough Idea..Yes or No?

Some people have talked about not really wanting to do cookie dough or not having time to make all of the batches.

What do you think? Do you want to participate in the cookie exchange? Or bag the idea all together?

If you want to participate, we will add you to the list, and we can just make enough batches between those of us that want in.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!!

Nat

I'm Out of Food!

I have a freezer full of chicken that Jo bought on sale at Winegars, and really would love to put it to use. Since we never found a date that worked for everyone over the holidays, I am wondering if there is a time in the NEAR future that would work? I am out of food, and I miss the wonderful ease of the 'Mormon Meals'!