FIF~Freezer Edition etc.~

Guess where I'm going in a little while??? To Cheesecake Factory, courtesy of my brother! Yea. I've never been there before. I hope the cheerios I just ate for breakfast haven't spoiled my appetite... or maybe it would be good if they did.
Several people made mention of those baskets on my fridge. I put those there a year or two ago and each has a purpose. The first basket holds 100 calorie snack bags and low fat snacks. The second hold junk food or candy. The third is for chips that will be used for the weeks recipes or are left from the last recipe. Behind the baskets I hide put away my styrofoam cups I'm so fond of.
I can't tell you what a lift all your comments were yesterday. It reminds me of the fibers of a rope, when bound together they gain strength. I feel strong knowing I'm bound with such a wonderful group of Christian ladies. Thank you.

Now, on to FIF! This week is freezer edition. To see others or sign up click on the button below. It is perfect timing for freezer food since I got a new freezer. When I was shopping for the fridge I noticed a small freezer online that got rave reviews for it's size (small) but, more for the amount of stuff it will hold. It was really cheap inexpensive! It isn't hooked up yet. I have to do a pantry clean out and reorganization first (help Marcia :o)... but, it will be wonderful and there are so many neat recipes I will make and freeze now!

Beef Gyro Recipe

1/2 c. beef broth

2 T. Olive Oil

1 garlic clove (minced or pressed)

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. oregano

dash pepper

1 pound boneless beef sirloin cut into strips

2/3 c. cucumber ranch dressing

1 t. sugar

gyro style pitas

2 c. chopped lettuce

1 c. chopped tomato

1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced

1 small red onion, sliced

In large resealable bag, combine first six ingredients, seal and refrigerate up to 24 hours or place in freezer bag and freeze.

In small bowl, combine salad dressing and sugar, refrigerate until serving. Thaw, drain and discard marinade. In large nonstick skillet saute beef for 3-4 minutes or until no longer pink. Serve on pitas with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and onion. Drizzle with dressing.

Taco Chicken

. 5 medium chicken breasts, boiled and slivered

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can rotel tomoatoes

1 medium onion

1 bell pepper

2 cups of shredded sharp chedder cheese

1 large bag of plain doritoes

Mix all but cheese and doritoes and place in freezer bags. Boil chicken, sliver it in medium chunks. Mix all canned ingredients in large bowl. Dice onion and pepper and add to mixture. Add half the cheese and mix well. Layer the bottom of a casserole dish with doritoes, then add a layer of chicken, then mixture, then cheese, do this two times, ending with cheese, you can add more cheese if you like. Bake at 375 degrees F. for about 45 minutes or until cheese is bubbly

Meatballs

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and shape into small meatballs. In large skillet cook meatballs turning continually until meatballs are cooked through. To freeze first put all meatballs on a cookie sheet and freeze. Once the meatballs are solidly frozen (make take several hours) remove from cookie sheet and place in freezer bag and put back in freezer.\

Defrost and serve with your favorite sauces.

ideas for meatballs - brown gravy and meatballs served over rice, spaghetti sauce, barbeque sauce.

Barbecue Chicken

Chicken

Barbecue sauce

Wash and dry chicken pieces. Place in freezer bag. Add BBQ sauce. Lay flat to freeze.

After thawing in the refrigerator, cook as you normally would. Grill them, use a electric grill or bake it in the oven. The chicken comes out very juicy and tender from the long marinating process.