How to Freeze Foods

I found some great ideas on how to freeze a variety of foods I didn't think could be frozen. These are foods that I would typically throw out. Now I can extend the shelf life...woo hoo!

Homemade Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 c. ketchup
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• 1/3 c. water
• 1 Tbsp. mustard
• 1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. vinegar

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef and drain.
2. Saute' onions in butter.
3. Add remaining ingredients to onions and bring to a boil.
4. Add ground beef and simmer 15 minutes.
5. Serve on hamburger rolls.

John Wayne Casserole

I was SO EXCITED when I found this recipe on Pinterest! Bill loves John Wayne. In fact, he is Papa Dukes to our sweet granddaughter Madeleine. I made this casserole for dinner tonight, and it was a success. So...here it goes...

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground beef, cooked and drained
• 1 (1.25 oz.) packet taco seasoning mix
• 4 oz.mayonnaise
• 4 oz. sour cream
• 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 3 Roma tomatoes, sliced
• 1 green pepper, sliced
• 4 oz. jalapeno peppers, sliced
• 2 1/4 c. Bisquick
• 2/3 c. milk

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Brown ground beef; add taco seasoning and water according to package directions.
3. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, 4oz. shredded cheddar, & half of sliced onions in a bowl.
4. Stir Bisquick and milk together until a soft dough forms. Pat dough on bottom and 1/2" up sides of 9"x13" casserole sprayed with Pam.
5. Saute remaining onions and green peppers until slightly tender.
6. Evenly distribute the following ingredients, in this order, atop the dough:
1. seasoned ground beef
2. tomato slicess
3. sauteed onions and pepper
4. jalapeno peppers
5. sour cream mixture
6. remaining shredded cheddar
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until edges of dough are slightly brown.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

Ingredients (for 10-12 wings):

• Flour Mixture ~
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Lawry's seasoned salt to taste
• black pepper to taste
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. paprika
• Sauce Mixture ~
• equal parts of melted butter & Frank's hot sauce
• vegetable oil for frying

Directions:

1. Rinse wings in cold water and pat dry.
2. Season chicken with flour mixture. (I usually put the flour mixture and wings in a ziplock bag and shake.)
3. Fry in oil heated to 375 degrees until chicken is golden brown. This may be done in a skillet with 1/2"-3/4" oil, or even deeper. If chicken isn't completely immersed in oil, turn chicken until all sides are golden brown.
4. Drain cooked wings on paper towel-lined plate for a very short time.
5. Roll wings in bowl of sauce mixture until completely coated.

Mashed Potato Casserole

The beauty of this recipe is that it can be prepared a day ahead...I love being able to prep early!!! Just cover the pan of mashed potatoes with foil and keep in the refrigerator. Baking time will take longer because the casserole is cold, maybe 30-40 minutes. Then add toppings.

 

Ingredients:

4 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed to be boiled

about 3/4 cup milk

1/2- 3/4 cups sour cream

4 tablespoons butter

2 cups shredded cheddar

1/4 cup plus 2-4 tablespoons freshly snipped chives

2.8 oz. bag Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Recipe Pieces

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook the potatoes in salted, boiling water until they are tender. Drain well.
2. Butter 9x13 glass baking dish. 
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees while preparing the casserole.
4. Add butter and mash into the potatoes.
5. Add 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup sour cream and beat until incorporated.
6. Stir in 1 cup of cheese and 1/4 cup chives.
7. Add more milk or sour cream if needed. Potatoes should be very creamy.
8. Taste potatoes and season with salt and pepper.
9. Spoon potatoes into baking pan; evenly smooth potatoes.
10. Cover with foil and bake in oven for 15-20 minutes until they are hot.
11. Remove dish from oven and remove foil.
12. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheese over the potatoes and return them to the oven.
13. Bake for about 10 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and casserole is hot.
14. Remove casserole from oven. Sprinkle with all the crumbled bacon and 2 teaspoons of fresh snipped chives.
15. Enjoy!
 

Derby Pie Bars

For the shortbread crust:
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
For the filling:
12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups sugar
3 eggs
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons bourbon or whiskey (or more to taste)
1½ cups chocolate chips
1½ cups chopped walnuts


To make the crust, combine the powdered sugar, flour, and salt In the bowl of a food processor. Add cubes of butter and pulse until it resembles coarse cornmeal. (You can also use your fingers or a pastry cutter to incorporate the butter. Whatever is easiest for you.) Firmly pat the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Bake the crust at 350 degrees for about 20 to 23 minutes until just lightly golden.

To make the filling, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, flour, salt , and bourbon and continue to mix until well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour batter over partially baked crust. Bake until filling is set and top is light golden brown, approximately 25 minutes. Allow bars to cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting into 2-inch squares (or desired size).

Bars will keep in an airtight container for at least a week. (Yields 24 2-inch squares.)

Bacon Crisps

Ingredients:

 

2 sleeves Club crackers

1 pound sliced bacon cut in thirds

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
2. Wrap crakcer tightly with a strip of bacon.
3. Place the wrapped crackers on a broiler rack on a baking sheet, and put the baking sheets on the oven rack.
4. Bake for 2 hours, oruntil the bacon is done.
5. Do not turn.
6. Drain on paper towels.
7. Serve hot or at room temperature.

P.S. If you are in a hurry, preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 40 minutes.