Freezer shortcuts

Many days we have therapy or other activities right until dinner.  We get home, Annabelle is hungry and I have nothing made.  That is when my freezer foods come in handy.  I mark them all DF so I know they are definitely dairy free and safe for Annabelle.



Buy a rotisserie chicken from Wegmans for $5, pick off all of the meat and blend in the food processor.  I then put it in a freezer bag, refrigerate it overnight then freeze.  This way I always have chicken prepped for a quick lunch or dinner.



After picking the meat from the chicken I boil the bones in a pot of water to make chicken broth.  I add a little chicken bouillon for some extra flavor.  After it's cooked up I strain it and pour into ice cube trays.  You then throw them into a freezer bag for meals later.  I typically do this with a ham bone as well to make ham broth (same process).



I have yet to find a container of breadcrumbs that are dairy free (other than panko) so I typically take bread, rolls, buns and throw them in the Ninja to blend down to fine crumbs.  I add in some Italian seasoning, garlic, onion powder, and DF parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.  Then put into freezer bag and freeze.

Dairy free cheese is very expensive compared to regular cheese so for that reason I bag the Daiya cheese and keep it in the freezer.  

Annabelle doesn't eat ice cream often but does like it on occasion.  Instead of buying the coconut ice cream I freeze bananas when they are getting ripe.  I then put them into the blender and blend until it's a soft serve consistency.  I also blend in some peanut butter, vanilla, and sometimes strawberries / raspberries.   

I typically buy frozen fruits and veggies to use in meals for purees.  The fruits make great smoothies and the veggies can be added to meat and potatoes for a quick, healthy, well rounded meal.





I also freeze squeeze pouches I make from the Infantino Squeeze station, buy uncrustable PB&J sandwiches, Trader Joe's Turkey meatballs, and TJ's chicken or vegetable fried rice.






An example of a quick last minute meal:

1/4 of chicken
1 chicken broth cube
1/4 cup mixed veggies
1/2 cup cooked pastina or 1/2 cup of chicken or veggie fried rice from freezer

Microwave all for 30 - 60 seconds depending on your microwave.  Throw all into the Ninja for 30 seconds and you have a great meal.  
** If it comes out too watery add mashed potato flakes to thicken it up.