Disclaimer: I’m not so sure what I’m talking about is really a ‘club’ per say. LoL. More of a ‘group’. Call it what you may…you’ll get the gist.
Lately, I’ve been wanting to enter the world of ‘freezer meals’.
Up until just recently I wasn’t much of a ‘freezer’.
The thought of freezing certain things just didn’t make sense to me.
{I’m weird}.
I’ve seen lots of different ideas online about how you can make up like 20 different meals in 2 hours and then freeze em all to have on hand.
In essenece – – I liked the idea!
I just wasn’t so sure about managing SO many different meals at one time in my kitchen.
So….I came up with my own idea.
And enlisted some friends to help make it a tad bit easier.
Here’s what I did:
First – – I sent out an email to some of my friends who I thought might be interested in having some freezer meals on hand. These friends in particular, had around the same size of family as I do. {With the exception of one friend who has 7, yes 7 kids!…but I’ll explain what we did with her later, ha!}.
Here is the exact email that I sent out…for those interested.
{I’m a copy and paster whenever possible so here ya go!}
Hi friends!! Jamie and I were both talking about how badly we wanted to make up some freezer meals to have on hand now that the school year is starting back up. We were wondering if you guys felt the same way?? If so – – we thought that doing a ‘group’ thing might be the way to go. Let me know if you’re interested. Essentially…here’s how it would work.
Each of us would pick a ‘freezer meal’ to make TIMES however many people are in the group.
So if there are 6 of us who want to do it and I chose to make Chicken Parmesan Meatball Casserole – – – I would buy enough ingredients to make it SIX times.
We would then choose a day during the month of August that works for everyone and everyone would make up their dish {in their own homes}. In return – – – we would have SIX different freezer meals to stock in our freezers for the weeks to come.
Does this make any sense?
Most freezer meal recipes I’ve seen feed about 4-6 people {Chanda, that might be a deal breaker for you} – – so that’s why I’ve thought of you.
If you can think of anyone else who might enjoy this – – let me know.
There are TONS of recipes online {especially Pinterest} to get your cooking juices flowing. This link has some SUPER YUMMY looking ones too:
Please let me know if you are in or out! Then in about a week I’ll have everyone email the group with what dish they have chosen to make {so we don’t have repeats} and the amount of people involved.
If this whole things works and we love it – – – maybe we can do it 2-3 times a year? I’ve never done this before but have always wanted to. And I am serious need of some NEW dinner ideas!
xoxo
Marci Coombs
Second – – I waited for everyone to respond to figure out how many people were involved and then I sent out this email…
Ok! There will be 9 of us participating in making freezer meals. I am super excited about this.
List…
of…
Names…
Here…
Please mark your calendars for the weekend of August 25th. I am hoping that everyone can make up their meals either that Thursday, Friday or Saturday and get them delivered to everyone else. I figure we all have such different daily schedules – – with 3 days as an option – – 1 of those is bound to work, right? Doesn’t matter WHICH day – – just as long as it’s ONE of those days. Does that makes sense? So I could make up all of my meals and have them delivered on Thursday night. Jamie on the other hand might need to make hers up on Saturday and deliver them Saturday afternoon. As long as everyone has their meals to EVERYONE by that Saturday evening – – it will work!
If not – let me know and we can adjust. I can’t wait to have my freezer stocked with 9 meals ready to roll!
I am on the hunt to find 9×13 disposable pans with those white cardboard covers that go so well in the freezer. I am hoping to buy them in bulk and then you all can just pay me for them if that works?? Any other suggestions?
PLEASE RESPOND TO ALL ON THIS EMAIL once you have your meal picked so we do not have any duplicates.
And please let me know if there are any questions!!!
xoxo
Marci
SIDE NOTE: My friend found the disposable pans on Amazon and they worked awesome!
Third – – the week before we were set to make up our meals, I sent out this email…
Hey there! Just wanted to send out a few reminders for next week. I am really looking forward to everyone’s yummy meals. Here’s what we have on tap:
: Italian Sausage Lentil Soup
: Chicken Enchiladas
: Chicken Rolls
: Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
: Cilantro Lime Black Bean and Corn Salsa Chicken
: Pasta Tuscano
: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
: Lasagna + Chicken Tortilla Soup
: Creamy Chicken Taquitos
We will each need to make 10 meals. That includes one for your own family and 2 for Chanda’s family.
**** Rememeber my friend with the 7 kids?? Well we each made her TWO of our dish and in return she made TWO different dishes for us! It was a win! win!
I am assuming that everyone has the LDS Tools app with everyone’s addresses and phone numbers. If not, let me know and I can send them to you. Preparation and Delivery is on either THURSDAY, FRIDAY, or SATURDAY of next week 8/25-8/27. It would be a good idea to text the group before you head out to make your deliveries just to make sure everyone is home.
Please include any baking/thawing instructions needed with each dish as well as your name on it in case anyone has questions!
I think that is it! Please let me know if you have any other questions!! I’m super excited!
xoxo
Marci
Ok – – if you have lasted with me through this entire post – – you need to know – – -THIS WAS SUCH A HUGE HIT!!!!
It has been SO MUCH FUN having my freezer STOCKED to the BRIM with yummy meals for my family. And it has been SO nice to not have to fuss with a main dish on our family’s busy days.
The meals have been SO delish and my family {even my picky eaters} have LOVED them all so far.
These baked creamy taquitos were on tap for tonight and OMG – – they were SO good – – one of my sons said that ‘they belonged in a gourmet restaurant!’.
Haha.
Our ‘club’ which isn’t really a ‘club’ at all because honestly ANYONE who is reading this is welcome to join….has loved it so much that we are doing it all AGAIN in November!
And I can’t wait!!!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
I’m no pro but I’m happy to help you get started with your own ‘group’.
I promise – – you will LOVE it.
No matter WHERE you are!
Would love the recipe, are you going to share them on here?
Love this idea! I have wanted to do it but have been nervous about my family not liking what the others make. Would love any of the recipes that were a hit!
Hi Chris! I've posted all of the recipes that we used here:
http://www.marcicoombs.com/2016/09/freezer-meal-recipes.html
Hope that helps get you started! xoxo
Such a great idea!! We have done the day of making lots of meals but it does get a little crazy. This would be awesome!!!!