I'm looking for recipes for an 89 year old person who lives alone. I'll
be there to cook and freeze meals. These should be able to be pulled out
into the fridge or counter, thawed and then nuked or could be defrosted
in microwave. Soups are fine. She has no food problems, but shouldn't
have lots of salt, she has teeth, but really chewy is a problem. She
likes good food, so soggy yuk will not keep the weight on her. She
doens't like really spicy or strong flavours. I can bag up very well,
and she has a good deep freeze.
Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
What tried and true things do you freeze?

Thanks so much

Thanks everyone. Mother won't let anyone "help" like this, but she naps,
and I will cook and freeze by stealth, just as my sister does when she
visits, and she will eat at her leisure. I'd not thought of lasagna. She
loves this!
Wax paper wrap and then into freezer baggies or into freezer boxes?
blacksalt

Your own ideas idea are good. Things that work well are soups, tomatoe-based
pasta suaces (not creamy sauces), stews, chili.

kalanamak wrote:
> I'm looking for recipes for an 89 year old person who lives alone.
> I'll be there to cook and freeze meals. These should be able to be
> pulled out into the fridge or counter, thawed and then nuked or could
> be defrosted in microwave. Soups are fine. She has no food problems,
> but shouldn't have lots of salt, she has teeth, but really chewy is a
> problem. She likes good food, so soggy yuk will not keep the weight
> on her. She doens't like really spicy or strong flavours. I can bag
> up very well, and she has a good deep freeze.
> Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
> What tried and true things do you freeze?
>
> Thanks so much

You've pretty much answered your own question. Yes, chicken & noodles will
freeze well. You didn't mention Lasagna. It's easy to cut into individual
portions for freezing and equally easy to to zap in the microwave.
Surprisingly, cooked rice freezes well so you might consider that (along
with the meatloaf) as a side with gravy (which also freezes well). Mashed
potatoes. Veggies, there's no end. Just shop your local freezer section

Jill

kalanamak wrote:

> What tried and true things do you freeze?
>
Your list is already pretty good - But I also find fried noodles (bahmi
goreng)is okay too, but I dunno if that would fall under the "too
spicy" category in her case? The nice thing about it is that there is
no fixed recipe for it, you just use up what you have on hand, so maybe
its worth considering? Same goes for nasi goreng.

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

"kalanamak" > wrote

> Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
> What tried and true things do you freeze?

I freeze stuffed peppers and mac n cheese, besides chili
and tomato sauce. The usual suspects. Having said that,
it wasn't easy to get my inlaws to eat fruits ... perhaps can
you freeze things like slices of pie, along those lines? Good
for calories, too, and they seemed to love desserts. Just a
thought.

nancy

kalanamak wrote on 03 Sep 2006 in rec.food.cooking

> I'm looking for recipes for an 89 year old person who lives alone. I'll
> be there to cook and freeze meals. These should be able to be pulled
out
> into the fridge or counter, thawed and then nuked or could be defrosted
> in microwave. Soups are fine. She has no food problems, but shouldn't
> have lots of salt, she has teeth, but really chewy is a problem. She
> likes good food, so soggy yuk will not keep the weight on her. She
> doens't like really spicy or strong flavours. I can bag up very well,
> and she has a good deep freeze.
> Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
> What tried and true things do you freeze?
>
> Thanks so much
>

@@@@@ Now You're Cooking! Export Format

Alan's Hamburger Potato Casserole

none

1 pound lean ground beef
3 cups peeled and thinly sliced potatoes
8 oz mushrooms (1 can)
1/2 large green bell pepper chopped.
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup; 10.75 oz
1/2 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup cream.; optional
salt to taste
freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese; to taste
1 cup mixed veggies like corn, peas and brocolli

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2 In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground
beef; drain fat. In my case do everything in a dutch oven. (drain it
well).
Reserve meat on a paper toweled plate.

3 In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom
soup, onion, milk, salt and pepper to taste. plus 1/2 cup parm cheese.

4 Alternately layer the potatoes,mushrooms, green peppers, cheese, soup
mixture, veggies and meat
in a 11x7 inch (2 quart) baking dish. Bake in the
preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until potatoes are
tender. Top with Cheddar cheese, and continue baking until
cheese is melted.

Note: noodles can replace the potatoes
I'm adding shredded cheese into the layers too.
** Exported from Now You're Cooking! v5.74 **

Nuke this or boil in a bag.

Google 1 pot meals.


--


Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a suspect

-Alan

Nancy Young wrote on 03 Sep 2006 in rec.food.cooking

>
> "kalanamak" > wrote
>
> > Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
> > What tried and true things do you freeze?
>
> I freeze stuffed peppers and mac n cheese, besides chili
> and tomato sauce. The usual suspects. Having said that,
> it wasn't easy to get my inlaws to eat fruits ... perhaps can
> you freeze things like slices of pie, along those lines? Good
> for calories, too, and they seemed to love desserts. Just a
> thought.
>
> nancy
>
>
>

@@@@@ Now You're Cooking! Export Format

Broccoli Chicken Chowder

none

6 cup broccoli florets
3 1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2 cup half and half or light cream
2 cup cooked chicken; chopped
1 tsp dried basil; (tbsp fresh)
1/2 cup swiss or american cheese; shredded
Salt and Pepper; to taste

The Salt is optional depending on chicken stock.

In large pot cook the broccoli in half of the chicken stock. Bring to a
boil and then lower to a simmer ; covered for 3 minutes.

Meanwhile combine flour and remaining broth in a jar…put on the lid and
shake well. Stir this into soup, stir in the cream. Cook and stir till
thickened and bubbly.

Stir in the chicken, basil, salt and pepper…Sprinkle each serving with
cheese.

5-6 servings



** Exported from Now You're Cooking! v5.74 **



--


Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a suspect

-Alan

In article >,
kalanamak > wrote:

> I'm looking for recipes for an 89 year old person who lives alone. I'll
> be there to cook and freeze meals. These should be able to be pulled out
> into the fridge or counter, thawed and then nuked or could be defrosted
> in microwave. Soups are fine. She has no food problems, but shouldn't
> have lots of salt, she has teeth, but really chewy is a problem. She
> likes good food, so soggy yuk will not keep the weight on her. She
> doens't like really spicy or strong flavours. I can bag up very well,
> and she has a good deep freeze.
> Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
> What tried and true things do you freeze?
>
> Thanks so much

I feed my 74 year old dad. :-)

What freezes well for me are soups and rice dishes. Also frozen seafood
as it can be thawed for quick salads.
--
Peace!
Om

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
-- Jack Nicholson

"kalanamak" > wrote in message
> Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
> What tried and true things do you freeze?
>
> Thanks so much

Just a few hints. Most anything can work. Baked or fried potatoes get
yucky. Mashed can work, but make them extra moist with milk or butter. Then
don't put them in one glob, but make a couple of smaller portions as they
will thaw and heat better that way.

If you are using frozen veggies, they can be put in raw, then they will cook
as the rest of the dinner is heating.

Gravy can keep things moist, but sugary sauces, like a sweet bbq sauce, will
heat up much faster and start to burn before the rest of the meal is heated.

Use the partitioned containers when you can and leave space between things
for more even heating.

"Mr Libido Incognito" > wrote in message
...
> kalanamak wrote on 03 Sep 2006 in rec.food.cooking
>
> > I'm looking for recipes for an 89 year old person who lives alone. I'll
> > be there to cook and freeze meals. These should be able to be pulled
> out
> > into the fridge or counter, thawed and then nuked or could be defrosted
> > in microwave. Soups are fine. She has no food problems, but shouldn't
> > have lots of salt, she has teeth, but really chewy is a problem. She
> > likes good food, so soggy yuk will not keep the weight on her. She
> > doens't like really spicy or strong flavours. I can bag up very well,
> > and she has a good deep freeze.
> > Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
> > What tried and true things do you freeze?
> >
> > Thanks so much
> >
>
> @@@@@ Now You're Cooking! Export Format
>
> Alan's Hamburger Potato Casserole
>
> none
>
> 1 pound lean ground beef
> 3 cups peeled and thinly sliced potatoes
> 8 oz mushrooms (1 can)
> 1/2 large green bell pepper chopped.
> 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup; 10.75 oz
> 1/2 cup chopped onion
> 3/4 cup milk
> 1/4 cup cream.; optional
> salt to taste
> freshly ground pepper, to taste
> 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
> 1/2 cup parmesan cheese; to taste
> 1 cup mixed veggies like corn, peas and brocolli
>
> Directions
> 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
>
> 2 In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground
> beef; drain fat. In my case do everything in a dutch oven. (drain it
> well).
> Reserve meat on a paper toweled plate.
>
> 3 In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom
> soup, onion, milk, salt and pepper to taste. plus 1/2 cup parm cheese.
>
> 4 Alternately layer the potatoes,mushrooms, green peppers, cheese, soup
> mixture, veggies and meat
> in a 11x7 inch (2 quart) baking dish. Bake in the
> preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until potatoes are
> tender. Top with Cheddar cheese, and continue baking until
> cheese is melted.
>
> Note: noodles can replace the potatoes
> I'm adding shredded cheese into the layers too.
> ** Exported from Now You're Cooking! v5.74 **
>
> Nuke this or boil in a bag.
>
> Google 1 pot meals.
>
>
> --
>
>
> Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a suspect
>
> -Alan
============
This recipe sounds good; I would like to try it myself.
Thanks.
-

In article >,
kalanamak > wrote:

> Thanks everyone. Mother won't let anyone "help" like this, but she naps,
> and I will cook and freeze by stealth, just as my sister does when she
> visits, and she will eat at her leisure. I'd not thought of lasagna. She
> loves this!
> Wax paper wrap and then into freezer baggies or into freezer boxes?
> blacksalt

Consider the disposable ziplock or glad containers.
Those things are awesome!
--
Peace!
Om

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
-- Jack Nicholson

kalanamak > wrote:

> What tried and true things do you freeze?

How about something frozen that can then be cooked in plain water or
broth? Russian meat-filled pelmeni (similar to Polish pierogi), frozen
raw, keep very well indeed for a very long time. They are simply put in
boiling water or broth and cooked until they float, plus a minute or
two. They can be served simply with sour cream, and salt and pepper to
taste. If cooked in broth, they can be served therein, akin to
tortellini in brodo.

Victorw

Baked ziti
Red beans and rice
Enchiladas
Quiche, breakfast casseroles, strata
Frozen fruit salad -- very rich and sweet and a good way to sneak in
some fruit and calories. You can freeze it in individual portions.
Your mom can let it thaw for a bit and have it as a side dish or
dessert.
Grilled or baked chicken breasts
Meatballs
Pancakes, waffles, french toast
Bacon -- precooked and packaged in individual servings
Not freezer food, but you could leave some hard boiled eggs in the
refrigerator.

Tara

Twice baked potatoes

Tara

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 00:12:34 -0700, kalanamak >
wrote:

>I'm looking for recipes for an 89 year old person who lives alone. I'll
>be there to cook and freeze meals. These should be able to be pulled out
>into the fridge or counter, thawed and then nuked or could be defrosted
>in microwave. Soups are fine. She has no food problems, but shouldn't
>have lots of salt, she has teeth, but really chewy is a problem. She
>likes good food, so soggy yuk will not keep the weight on her. She
>doens't like really spicy or strong flavours. I can bag up very well,
>and she has a good deep freeze.
>Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
>What tried and true things do you freeze?
>
>Thanks so much

I'm going to have to do the same but for myself rather than an elder.
I usually don't cook on weekdays due to work schedule. I'll cook
something great on weekend, then eat nothing but that till it's gone.
I live alone, so this sometimes takes a few meals to get rid of "the
good stuff". I'm going tomorrow to get the foodsaver at sams club..
Hope to make my own version of tv dinners..
I make great cubed steak, but end up making too much at one time, and
eating too much (too many calories) I then put off making cubed steak
to avoid this,, till I can't resist. (around here, the only decent
price is on "family packs" of meat...)
In other words.. I'm hoping it will help me with portion control..
I'll have to follow a few of the recipes offered here as well..
Chuck

> In other words.. I'm hoping it will help me with portion control..
> I'll have to follow a few of the recipes offered here as well..
> Chuck

You might consider one of those seal a meal solutions. You cook a lot
and portion into freezer safe and preferably vacuum bags that you think
are appropriate. Then you simply boil it for a half hour and cut it open
for a meal. You can boil more than one cooked item if you are looking
for a square meal.
You can't have an item that requires crispness such as a steak or fried
chicken by boiling in a bag. Otherwise, it's not a bad deal.
I've only used the method for camping trips, but it worked fine.

leo

--
<http://web0.greatbasin.net/~leo/>

kalanamak wrote:
> I'm looking for recipes for an 89 year old person who lives alone. I'll
> be there to cook and freeze meals. These should be able to be pulled out
> into the fridge or counter, thawed and then nuked or could be defrosted
> in microwave. Soups are fine. She has no food problems, but shouldn't
> have lots of salt, she has teeth, but really chewy is a problem. She
> likes good food, so soggy yuk will not keep the weight on her. She
> doens't like really spicy or strong flavours. I can bag up very well,
> and she has a good deep freeze.
> Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
> What tried and true things do you freeze?
>
> Thanks so much

I love to stuff whole green peppers with a mixture of rice, ground
beef, tomato sauce, shredded cheese (usually what I have on hand, but
either Cheddar or a mix of Cheddar and Monterey Jack - can use
Parmesan, too) and parsley flakes, garlic, little bits of onion, salt &
pepper (all of the herbs/spices to taste).

I blanch the whole peppers for about 3 minutes in boiling water, drain
and fill to the top with the stuffing, adding some pinches of shredded
cheese on top. I wrap them individually in that Glad freezer wrap (the
self-stick stuff) - usually, 1/2 of one of these is enough for me for
an entree - you can always cut them in half before freezing. They are
fantastic when nuked.

Also, there are individual portions of Swiss steak with a side of
mashed potatoes (freeze perfectly well); individual portions of chili;
individual portions of chicken with rice- just about any one-dish meal
can be frozen and nuked, as long as you don't try to freeze stuff that
shouldn't be frozen like custards or some fresh veggies and fruits.

N.

"kalanamak" > wrote in message
...
> I'm looking for recipes for an 89 year old person who lives alone. I'll be
> there to cook and freeze meals. These should be able to be pulled out into
> the fridge or counter, thawed and then nuked or could be defrosted in
> microwave. Soups are fine. She has no food problems, but shouldn't have
> lots of salt, she has teeth, but really chewy is a problem. She likes good
> food, so soggy yuk will not keep the weight on her. She doens't like
> really spicy or strong flavours. I can bag up very well, and she has a
> good deep freeze.
> Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
> What tried and true things do you freeze?
>
> Thanks so much


I've had good luck with freezing a turkey dinner. Just make sure the gravy
covers the meat - otherwise it gets dry. But the stuffing, mashed potatoes,
and squash all freeze very well. Meat and gravy in one bag, veggies in their
own individual bags.
Also, stew freezes beautifully, and you can make lots of different varieties
to keep it interesting. In the same vein as a stew, you could do some beef
tips in gravy. Tuna Casserole might be okay, but you would have to be very
careful that you leave the noodles just barely cooked - otherwise they get
very soggy. How about ham? You could make a mac and cheese with some ham in
it.
Good luck - I know keeping an older person' appetite up can be difficult.
K
--
"chock full of hoot, just a liiiittle bit of nanny"
-Oz

LadyKat wrote:
> "kalanamak" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I'm looking for recipes for an 89 year old person who lives alone. I'll be
>> there to cook and freeze meals. These should be able to be pulled out into
>> the fridge or counter, thawed and then nuked or could be defrosted in
>> microwave. Soups are fine. She has no food problems, but shouldn't have
>> lots of salt, she has teeth, but really chewy is a problem. She likes good
>> food, so soggy yuk will not keep the weight on her. She doens't like
>> really spicy or strong flavours. I can bag up very well, and she has a
>> good deep freeze.
>> Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
>> What tried and true things do you freeze?
>>
>> Thanks so much
>
>
> I've had good luck with freezing a turkey dinner. Just make sure the gravy
> covers the meat - otherwise it gets dry. But the stuffing, mashed potatoes,
> and squash all freeze very well. Meat and gravy in one bag, veggies in their
> own individual bags.
> Also, stew freezes beautifully, and you can make lots of different varieties
> to keep it interesting. In the same vein as a stew, you could do some beef
> tips in gravy. Tuna Casserole might be okay, but you would have to be very
> careful that you leave the noodles just barely cooked - otherwise they get
> very soggy. How about ham? You could make a mac and cheese with some ham in
> it.
> Good luck - I know keeping an older person' appetite up can be difficult.
> K

Chicken noodle soup freezes well... I freeze mine with noodles in. Also,
Swiss Steak, just the meat and gravy. You can always nuke some chopped
up potato to go with it.
Any hamburger and bean mixture freezes well: brown hamburger with a
medium onion, drain off fat, add a couple of tbs of flour to thicken,
add beef broth soup from can to desired consistency, add can of pork and
beans... this mix can also be topped up with tomatoes as in Sloppy Joes
or any seasoning. It is highly adaptable. I make large batches and
freeze them in sandwich sized plastic containers for 1 or 2 people.
Macaroni and cheese can also be frozen - add a little milk when
reheating to restore consistency. Do not keep long.
Swedish meatballs on toast or noodles. Shepherd's Pie freezes well.
Lorna

kalanamak wrote:
> I'm looking for recipes for an 89 year old person who lives alone. I'll
> be there to cook and freeze meals. These should be able to be pulled out
> into the fridge or counter, thawed and then nuked or could be defrosted
> in microwave. Soups are fine. She has no food problems, but shouldn't
> have lots of salt, she has teeth, but really chewy is a problem. She
> likes good food, so soggy yuk will not keep the weight on her. She
> doens't like really spicy or strong flavours. I can bag up very well,
> and she has a good deep freeze.
> Chicken noodle? Meatloaf? Pasta and sauce?
> What tried and true things do you freeze?
>
> Thanks so much

I am trying to perfect these myself.

I will take a roast and cook it with mushroom soup, a pack of brown
gravy mix, and a half a pack of dried onion soup. Because veggies
don't do as well nuked I don't add them. I then put enough for a
sandwich in each freezer bag. The gravy it makes is so good over rice.
I never tried to freeze the gravy.

Hamburger helper, taco meat, chili, and sloppy Joe's are good. You can
freeze spaghetti and meat sauce in individual portions as well

Press everything flat in the freezer bag before freezing and when you
nuke it you can just cut the bag off with scissors. Put on the plate
and cover it with wax paper. I use a 5-6 min setting with 60% power.
Straight from the freezer to the recliner.

> I've had good luck with freezing a turkey dinner. Just make sure the gravy
> covers the meat - otherwise it gets dry. But the stuffing, mashed potatoes,
> and squash all freeze very well. Meat and gravy in one bag, veggies in their
> own individual bags.
<snip>

What cut of the turkey do you use? Is the breast too dry?

Sounds like I could do this with chicken as well.