Tag Archives: large family cooking

Cooking for Kiwis

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You probably remember that Adalia spent summer 2011 in Honduras with Teen Missions International. One of her teen members, Ben, and his brother, Aaron, are visiting the US from New Zealand. They are due to arrive here at our house on September 17 (yes, the same day Chuck and I will be in Seattle with Apollo getting his new mic-key). Aaron will be here only a few days, but Ben will be with us for almost  two weeks. In preparation for Apollo’s procedure and their arrival, we have been filling the freezer.

{You can read about Adalia’s adventures in Honduras on Blogging by the Dozen: Honduras Part I and Honduras Part II}

So far we have made:

4 batches of Chicken Curry

Chicken Gumbo

2 pans of lasagna

3 pans of Chicken Enchiladas

{By the way, I’ve finished  transferring most of my recipes to the main page here. If you click on Large Family Recipes you should be able to just click on the recipe you want to view. I plan to do the same for themed parties we’ve had and Adoption Stories. Please bear with me while I try to make this site as user friendly as possible}

 

Filling the Freezer Pre-Surgery {Large Family Cooking}

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I’ve been trying to think of ways to make life a little easier during and after Apollo’s surgery. There is only so much I can do. I can’t be in Seattle with Apollo and here at home at the same time. Things will inevitably be somewhat chaotic. I will be more tired than ever when I return home I’m sure. But one thing I can do is make meals ahead.

As soon as breakfast was over this morning I put my team of pint-sized kitchen helpers to work chopping vegetables.

And got my big kids started on school.

We’re just sitting down to eat lunch and I already have: 3 pans of lasagna, 4 trays of chicken enchiladas and two big tubs of chicken gumbo in my freezer. I also cooked two batches of  ground beef to have on hand and have chicken breasts cooking in the crock pot to make chicken curry this afternoon.

The chicken enchiladas are a family favorite. I’d share the recipe but I don’t really have one. I can tell you how I make them though. First I cook chicken breasts in the crock pot. Once they are done, I shred them and add cheddar and mozzarella, olives, salt and pepper. Sometimes I add rice (which I did this time).

Next I lightly fry corn tortillas (to make them flexible). I fill each tortilla with plenty of filling and line them in  the pan. Next comes the best part…

Homemade cheese sauce!

First I make a white sauce (from scratch) then add tons of cheddar cheese, green chiles, salsa and some Frank’s Hot Sauce. I pour this over top of the enchiladas, and voila’ ready  be baked or frozen.

Now I’m trying to think of more ideas to do another batch cook next week. What are your favorite freezer meals?

{The cardiologist was presenting Apollo’s case to the surgeons this morning at 7 am. I am really hoping to hear about a possible surgery date this week}