Dinner Plans and Freezer Cooking!

Sounds like I am cooking a freezer from that title!

We have been having internet issues the last couple of days. I was sure it was because of all the storms we have had lately, but Tyler sat down to try and figure it out and found the reason it wasn't working. Garyn had pressed the button, evidently, that turns the Wi-Fi off. One click and the internet was back up! So I wasn't able to get my meal plan up yesterday because of one click of a button! Such is life with a 2 year old.

Dinner Plans:
Monday- Breakfast
Tuesday- Eating out (me with SS girls at Ichiban and the boys are going to Amigos with Nana & Poppa)
Wednesday- Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans
Thursday- Chicken Stir Fry * new one
Friday- Eating out
Saturday- Tacos and Roasted Corn
Sunday- Deep Dish Pizza casserole * new one

Freezer Filling Day was today {cooked things to fill the freezer :) }

I got a lot done this time! I was shooting for making 3 casseroles/ dinners, atleast. I ended up getting this done:

I made 2 meat loafs, 2 Curried Chicken Casseroles, 2 Mexican Chicken Casseroles, 11 Brown Bag Burritos, 11 Mini Apple Pies { 6 already made and 3 already eaten} + one bigger-mini apple pie for 2
 * I split the 8 serving casseroles into 2 that will be more our size. If some friends or family come, I can easily put the 2 together to cook.

All together thats 8 + meals plus a dessert. I worked longer, of course, and made a bigger mess, but now I can have 2 dinners a week until next time I freezer fill/cook!

One trick I have learned from http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ is to bake the chicken I need.

 It cooks in about 30 mins at 350 and is tender. It also keeps the stove top free. I actually started cooking them this morning when getting Garyn's lunch ready for school. I placed them in frozen and then approx. 30 mins later I pulled them out. By the time I got back from taking Garyn to school {a.k.a. Mother's Day Out}they were nice and cool for cutting.

Tyler came by to pick up some lunch during his planning period and actually helped me some. He wanted to try some of the mini apple pies so he prepared the first 6. Not so sure he was a big help since he made a mess making hot dogs and chili for his lunch, and then spilled coke all over the place that I had to mop up. BUT I enjoyed his company for an hour or so!

Speaking of the mini apple pies, they are pretty good, not so sure that they are easier than the Slab Apple Pie. The taste, obviously, is very similar. I halfed this recipe and either I measured wrong or Tyler made the first 6 crust too thick, but I ran out of crust. When I made extra it was in between 1-2 muffin cups so I opted for the small oval pie. I froze the ones I didn't cook for a yummmy dessert.

The Curried Chicken Casserole, I had made once before awhile back and came across the recipe when planning. I LOVE curried chicken. I, also, love all the food groups being in this one....isn't it colorful?

Well, you can't quite see it all, but it has carrots, celery and apples. Better yet, here's the recipe:

Curried Chicken and Rice Casserole:
2 Tbsp. butter
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 med. onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 apple (granny smith is the best) peeled and chopped
2 cups brown rice (uncooked)
2 cups diced cooked chicken
5 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk or plain yogurt
1 Tbsp. curry powder
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

1) Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in a skillet and add celery, onion, carrots and apple, cook and stir for a few minutes. Add remaining ingredients and combine well.
2)Pour mixture into an 8 inch sq. casserole dish. Sprinkle with additional curry powder if desired.
3)Bake for 45 mins approx., until rice is tender and it is bubbly

I made my Mexican Chicken Casserole, again. It is an all time fav around here. I love how colorful it is too! Lots of veggies for these non-veggie boys of mine.

Tyler loves meatloaf and just until recently was stuck on no onions in it. I put some in this time, so we will see how he likes it. This recipe isn't anything grand, because its so plane for Tyler. I may be able to try some other recipes now that he is branching out.

Meatloaf: { I doubled this}
1 cup tomato juice ( I use ketchup and a little water)
3/4 cup Quaker Oats
1 egg
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 lbs ground beef

Last, I made Brown Bag Burritos again. I switched it up a little this time because I didn't have enchilada sauce. I added a can of Rotel and some taco sauce. I got 11 from halfing the recipe.

I am so excited to have 2 meals a week that can come from the freezer!