Showing posts with label Main Dish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Main Dish. Show all posts

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Bean Burritos

Prep Time: 1 hour
Start to Finish: 1 hour


Ingredients:

3/4 cup rice (brown or white)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 jalapeno chile, chopped (ribs and seeds removed, for less heat)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 bag frozen corn kernels, (10 ounces)
6 scallions, thinly sliced
8 burrito-size flour tortillas, 10 inches each
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Salsa and sour cream, optional


Instructions:

Cook rice according to package instructions; set aside.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium. Add onions, garlic, jalapeno, and cumin; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Add tomato paste, and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
Add beans and 1 1/2 cups water; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Add corn; cook to heat through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in scallions.
Heat tortillas according to package instructions; fill with rice, bean mixture, and cheese.
Assemble: Mound 1/4 cup rice, 3/4 cup bean mixture, and 1/4 cup cheese on one side of tortilla. Fold, and hold in sides. Starting from filled end, holding sides in as you work, tightly roll into a bundle. Place on a baking sheet, seam side down, and prepare remaining burritos.
Serve immediately, with salsa and sour cream, if using, or wrap individually in plastic and freeze up to 3 months.
To Cook after Freezing: Microwave-Wrap in wax paper and heat on high (about 2 1/2 min) Oven-Wrap in foil and bake at 375 for 30-45min.

(Recipe from www.marthastewart.com)

Spinach Pie

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Start to Finish: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
4 medium onions, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
6 packages frozen chopped spinach, (10 ounces each), thawed and squeezed dry
1 pound feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons dried dill
8 large eggs, lightly beaten
8 ounces frozen phyllo sheets, thawed and thinly sliced

Instructions:

Make the filling: In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and 2 teaspoons salt; cook until garlic is tender, 1 to 2 minutes.
Transfer mixture to a large bowl; stir in spinach, feta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, dill, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Fold in eggs until combined.
Divide mixture evenly between two 9-inch springform pans or two 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie plates; press firmly to flatten.
Make the topping: In a large bowl, gently toss sliced phyllo to separate, then toss with remaining 1/2 cup oil until coated.
Divide phyllo between pies, covering the tops evenly and completely. (To freeze, cover pies tightly with plastic wrap, being careful not to flatten topping. Bake within 3 months; do not thaw first.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake until heated through and topping is golden brown, about 1 hour 15 minutes for frozen pie (30 minutes for unfrozen pie).

(Recipe from www.marthastewart.com)

Macaroni & Cheese

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish: 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients:
Serves 8
1 pound short pasta, such as cavatappi or macaroni
Coarse salt
6 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups milk
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cups shredded (12 ounces) sharp white cheddar cheese
1 cup finely grated (2 ounces) Parmesan cheese
3 cups very coarse fresh breadcrumbs

Instructions:

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water 1 to 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain, rinse with cool water, and return to pot.
Meanwhile, heat 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour; cook, whisking, 1 minute. Add milk, cayenne, nutmeg, and 2 teaspoons salt; bring to a simmer. Cook, whisking, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in cheeses until smooth. Pour over pasta; toss to coat. Divide among baking dishes.
Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter; toss with breadcrumbs. Sprinkle over pasta. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; freeze up to 3 months.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place frozen dishes on a baking sheet; remove plastic. Cover with foil. Bake until bubbling, 60 to 70 minutes for large dishes, 40 to 50 minutes for small. Remove foil; continue baking until golden, 5 to 10 minutes more.

(Recipe from www.marthastewart.com)

Mediterranean Tuna-Noodle Casserole

Prep Time: 35 minutes
Start to Finish: 55 minutes


Ingredients:

1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for baking dishes
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound wide egg noodles
2 red bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), thinly sliced
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
5 cups whole milk
4 cans (6 ounces each) tuna in olive oil, drained
1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and thickly sliced
5 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan

Instructions:


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil two 8-inch square (or other shallow 2-quart) baking dishes. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook noodles until 2 minutes short of al dente; drain, and return to pot.
Meanwhile, in a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium. Add bell peppers; season with salt and pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring until smooth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a simmer.
Remove from heat; add mixture to noodles in pot, along with tuna, artichoke hearts, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper, and toss. Divide between prepared baking dishes, and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes.


To Freeze: Prepare through step 3; cool to room temperature. Cover tightly with aluminum foil, and freeze up to three months.


To Bake from Frozen: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake, covered with foil, until center is warm, about 2 hours. Uncover, and bake until top is browned, about 20 minutes more.


To Bake from Thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake, covered with foil, until center is warm, about 30 minutes. Uncover, and bake until top is browned, about 20 minutes more.


(Recipe from www.marthastesart.com)

Chicken Tetrazzini

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish: 1 hour

Ingredients
Serves 8
Coarse salt and ground pepper
6 tablespoons butter
1 pound white mushrooms, trimmed and sliced inch thick
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
1 can (14.5 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup dry white wine
3 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 pound linguine, broken in half
1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, meat shredded (about 4 cups)
1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas, thawed and drained


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (for pasta). In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over high heat. Add mushrooms, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing frequently, until tender and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, and set aside.
Make sauce: In same saucepan, melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add flour; cook, whisking, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, gradually add milk, broth, and wine. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and add 2 cups Parmesan and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente; drain and return to pot. Add sauce, chicken, peas, and mushrooms. Toss well to combine. Divide between two shallow 2-quart baking dishes; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Freeze (see below) or bake until browned, about 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

To freeze: After placing pasta mixture in baking dishes and sprinkling with Parmesan (step 3), cool to room temperature. Cover tightly with aluminum foil, and freeze up to 3 months.

To bake from frozen: Bake, covered with foil, at 400 degrees, until center is warm, about 2 hours. Uncover, and bake until top is browned, about 20 minutes more. Serve.To bake from thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Bake, covered with foil, at 400 degrees, until center is warm, about 30 minutes. Uncover, and bake until top is browned, about 20 minutes.

(Recipe from www.marthastewart.com)

Steak Fajitas

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Start to Finish: 30 minutes

Instructions:

Freeze It:
1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 red bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
1 jalapeno, seeded (if desired) and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon hot sauce
Kosher salt
4 1-quart resealable plastic freezer bags

Cook It:
4 bags frozen fajita mixture
4 teaspoons olive oil
8 8-inch flour tortillas, warmed
Store-bought refrigerated fresh salsa (optional)
Sour cream (optional)

Instructions:

Freeze It-In a large bowl, combine the steak, onion, bell peppers, jalapeno, chili powder, hot sauce, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Divide evenly among 4 bags. Freeze until ready to cook, up to 3 months.

Cook It-In a large skillet, over medium heat, heat the oil (use 1 teaspoon per serving). Empty the frozen contents of the bags into the skillet (use 1 bag per serving). Cook, covered, stirring occasionally to break up ingredients, for 10 minutes. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender and the steak is cooked through, 2 to 6 minutes. Serve with the tortillas and the salsa and sour cream, if desired. Yield: Makes 4 servings

(Recipe from www.food.realsimple.com)

Shrimp with Roasted Peppers and Feta

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish: 40 minutes

Ingredients:
1 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers
1 bunch scallions
1 head garlic
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper
8 ounces Feta
4 1-quart resealable plastic freezer bags

Instructions:

Freeze It-Drain the peppers and cut into 1-inch pieces. Slice the scallions and 2 cloves garlic. Combine the vegetables in a bowl with the shrimp, 2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Divide the mixture among 4 resealable plastic freezer bags, top with the Feta (crumbled), and freeze, for up to 3 months, until ready to cook.

Cook It-Heat oven to 400° F. Remove the shrimp mixture from the bags (you'll need one bag per serving) and place in individual baking dishes or a large casserole, making sure the Feta is on top. Bake until the shrimp are cooked through and the Feta begins to brown, about 20 minutes. Yield: Makes 4 servings

(Recipe from www.food.realsimple.com)

Rosemary Chicken with Zucchini

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 pound new potatoes
2 carrots
2 small zucchini
Olive oil
Whole-grain mustard
1 bunch rosemary
Kosher salt and pepper
4 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 1-quart resealable plastic freezer bags

Instructions:

Freeze It-Quarter the potatoes. Peel the carrots. Cut the carrots and zucchini into 2-inch sticks. Mix them in a bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons mustard, 1 tablespoon rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Divide everything among 4 bags. Freeze, until ready to cook, for up to 3 months.
Cook It-Heat oven to 400° F. Remove the bags from the freezer (you'll need 1 bag for each serving). Empty the contents of the bags into a baking dish. Roast for 25 minutes. Toss the vegetables, turn the chicken, and continue roasting until the chicken is cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes more. Divide among individual plates. Yield: Makes 4 servings

(Recipe from www.food.realsimple.com)

Friday, September 5, 2008

Beef Stroganoff

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Start to Finish: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs sirloin steak (boneless), cut into thin strips
1/2 cup butter
2 small onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/3 cup dry white wine
pepper
salt
1 1/4 cups sour cream (for cooking day)

Instructions:

Melt 1/4 cup of butter in skillet and brown steak strips. Set aside.
Add remaining 1/4 cup butter to skillet, melt and add onions and garlic, frying until soft. Add mushrooms, wine, salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Add meat to freezer safe bags or containers and pour sauce over. Cool and freeze.
On cooking day:Thaw overnight in fridge or for 4-5 hours at room temperature. Add to saucepan and heat over medium heat for 25 minutes. Stir in sour cream before serving.

(Recipe from www.momsbudget.com)

Mandarin Orange Chicken

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Start to Finish: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

5 cups cooked chicken, cubed
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3 cups sliced fresh mushroom
4 tsp white flour
1 1/3 cups water
1 can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup sliced green onions
4 tsp. chicken bouillon powder (or 4 bouillon cubes)

On serving day:2 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
Hot cooked rice

Instructions:

Cook mushrooms over medium high heat in a large skillet, stirring to prevent burning. Add flour, stirring well. Then gradually add water, frozen orange juice concentrate, onions and chicken bouillon powder or cubes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and add chicken, simmering uncovered for 3-4 minutes. Cool and pour into freezer containers.
On cooking day, thaw orange chicken mixture. Heat chicken in a saucepan until heated through and bubbly, then add mandarin oranges, continuing to heat mixture. Add to cooked rice and serve.

(Recipe from www.momsbudget.com)

Swiss Steak

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish: 1 1/2 hours

Ingredients:

2 lbs round steak, ½" thick cut
¼ cup flour
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 tbsp oil
½ cup green pepper, minced
1 ¼ cup onion, minced
1 16-oz can tomatoes
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper

Instructions:

Cut steak into 8 individual pieces, using a fork to pierce each side of each piece. In a small bowl, combine flour, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper. Top one side of the steak pieces with half this mixture, then use a meat mallet to pound the flour mixture into the steak. Flip the pieces over and repeat.
In large skillet, heat oil and brown meat for about 15 minutes, turning frequently. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover skillet and allow to simmer for 1 hour, adding small amounts of water as needed.
In a separate bowl, combine green pepper, onion, tomatoes, salt and ¼ tsp pepper, mixing well. Add to skillet, cover and simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Divide skillet contents in half (including tomato sauce mixture), and place in 8x8 freezer containers - foil is best so you can reheat right in container. Allow to cool, seal and label with cooking instructions.
On cooking day: Remove from freezer while oven is preheating to 400F. Remove lid and bake for 30-40 minutes or until steak is tender. Serve with rice or noodles.

(Recipe from www.momsbudget.com)

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Start to Finish: 1 hour
Makes two meals for six people, three meals for four or four meals for three people!

Ingredients:
12 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup honey
1 cup prepared mustard
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried parsley

Ingredients:

Preheat oven to to 350F. In a 9x13 baking dish, lightly greased, place chicken breasts. In a small bowl, combine honey, mustard, basil, paprika and parsley, mixing well. Pour half of mixture over chicken, using a spoon to make sure that all the chicken has some sauce on top to prevent chicken from drying out. Lightly cover with tin foil. Bake for 30 minutes, remove foil and turn chicken over. Pour remaining sauce over chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked.
Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes, then divide chicken into appropriate freezer containers for the servings you desire (makes 2 meals for six people; 3 meals for four people; or four meals for three people). Allow to cool and freeze.
On cooking day, thaw completely in fridge (take it out the night before or morning of). In a preheated 350F oven, cook for 20-45 minutes depending on number of breasts, or until completely hot throughout. Serve!

(Recipe from www.momsbudget.com)

Honey Lime Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Start to Finish: 1 hour

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts, boneless & skinless
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 cup honey


Instructions:

In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, lime juice and honey, stirring well. Put chicken in a Ziploc bag or freezer container and pour sauce over top. Refrigerate for about 1 hr, turning every 15-20 minutes. Place container or bag in freezer.


To cook: Thaw chicken in refrigerator over night. Remove chicken from marinade and barbeque on the grill, or cook in the oven at 350F for 35-45 minutes (time will vary depending on chicken) until juices run clear and thermometer registers 165F.

(Recipe from www.momsbudget.com)

Cashew Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Start to Finish: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
1 chicken breast, cut in 1" pieces
Small amount of oil
2/3 cup cashews
6 mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 oz can bamboo shoots, drained and sliced
4 oz frozen peas
5/8 cup water
1/2 tsp sugar
2 tsp cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tbsp water

Chicken marinade:
1 tsp medium dry sherry OR apple juice
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp oil
1/2 tsp sugar
2 tsp cornstarch


Instructions:

Combine ingredients for marinade, add chicken and marinade for ten minutes.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in skillet . Add cashews and fry until golden brown. Drain and set aside.
Add the mushrooms to the pan and fry for 1 minute, stirring. Remove them from the pan and set aside. Add the bamboo shoots to the pan with another 2 tsp of oil and fry for one minute and set aside with the mushrooms.
Next, add chicken to the pan with 1 tbsp of oil and fry for 2 minutes, stirring until chicken is cooked through. Return mushrooms and bamboo shoots to the pan with chicken. Add peas and water. Simmer for two minutes. Add sugar and cornstarch mixture and simmer until thickened.
Cool, place in freezer container and freeze.
To serve, place contents in saucepan with 2 tbsp water. Cover and heat gently, stirring occasionally. As soon as the mixture is hot, serve, topping with cashew nuts.
To cook, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Add cashew chicken to saucepan, cooking over medium low until heated through. Simmer for ten minutes and serve.

(Recipe from www.momsbudget.com)

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Tacos

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Start to Finish: 50 minutes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
9-12 flour tortillas
2 1/4 cups rice
4 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 (14 ounces) cans of petite diced tomatoes
1 1/2 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 1/2 onions, diced
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons corn starch (optional)
1 1/2 chicken bullion cubes

Instructions:
1: Add rice, water, corn, green onion, bullion and roughly half of the diced tomatoes to a rice cooker. Cook as you normally would. (Or, bring to a boil in a saucepan, reduce heat and simmer until done, about 12-15 minutes.) Cool thoroughly.

2: Meanwhile, brown beef and onion in skillet. Drain off the fat (I usually rinse it off under hot water in a mesh colander.) Add the seasoning mix and remaining tomatoes (including the juice,) stir well. Set aside to cool.

3: Meanwhile, if you are using block cheese, shred it. Toss with as little cornstarch as is possible (this will help keep the pieces from forming a single glob in the freezer.) If you buy pre-shredded cheese, you don't need it.

4: TO ASSEMBLE: Make sure that all food is cooled enough that it won't melt a ziplock bag. The ground meat should fit into a quart sized bag. The rice should also fit into a quart sized bag. The cheese will probably fit into a sandwich size bag. The tortillas may need a gallon size, depending on what kind you use. If you made beans, I'd put them in a quart bag. After all of the food is in bags, smooth it out so that you have nice flat bags, being careful not the break the seals. Freeze on something flat, such as a cookie sheet. The next day, or several hours later, place all ingredients in one gallon or 1 1/2 gallon bag and seal.

5: TO REHEAT: First off, smash the bag of cheese to separate the pieces, and pour in to a serving dish to defrost on the counter. Microwave the beans, rice, and meat together in their bags on high for 3 minutes. Remove them each to a serving bowl, and microwave 3-10 minutes more, depending on how many bowls fit into your microwave at once. (You may need to smash the bags to separate the food, and break it up with a fork. I like to stir it once in the middle of reheating because microwaves don't heat evenly.) The tortillas should separate easily, and only need 30-40 seconds to warm them by the time everything else is warmed. The rice may need a tablespoon of water or broth added so it doesn't taste dry.

(Recipe from http://www.recipezaar.com/)

Pizza

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Start to Finish: 55 minutes

Ingredients:
Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil

Toppings: (I'm sure you can use any that you choose, but these are the ones for this recipe)
12 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
1/4 lb. Italian beef sausage, browned
1/4 lb. ground beef, browned
1/4 cup onion, sauteed
2 ounces pepperoni slices
1 1/2 marinara sauce
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, freshly grated
salt

Instructions:

1: Put in automatic bread machine: place ingredients in container in following order: water, olive oil, flour, sugar, salt and yeast.

2: Select Dough setting and press Start.

3: Spray pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray or brush with olive oil.

4: Gently stretch pizza crust to fit pan, forming raised edge at lip.

5: Sprinkle crust with grated mozzarella cheese.

6: Dot with browned sausage, ground beef, pepperoni and chopped and sautéed onion.

7: Gently spread marinara sauce to cover cheese and toppings.

8: Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and salt to taste.

9: To freeze: flash freeze pizza in pan.

10: When frozen, wrap in aluminum foil.

11: To prepare: do not thaw pizza.

12: Heat oven to 400°.

13: Bake frozen pizza for 20 to 25 minutes, until crust is browned, sauce bubbles and cheese is fully melted.

(Recipe from www.recipezaar.com)

Chicken Enchiladas

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Start to Finish: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
2 1/2 cups monterey jack cheese, shredded
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can black olives, sliced
10 (6 inch) corn tortillas
1 (28 ounce) can enchilada sauce

Instructions:

1: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees.

2: Combine 3/4 cup enchilada sauce, chicken, 1 cup cheese, cilantro, and olives.

3: Place 5 tortillas on baking sheet and lightly coat both sides with cooking spray. Bake tortillas until just pliable, about 2 minutes. Working quickly, transfer one tortilla at a time to work surface, fill with 1/3 cup chicken mixture, and roll tightly. Transfer, seam side down, to large plate. Repeat warming and rolling process with remaining 5 tortillas. Place plate in freezer until enchiladas are frozen, at least 1 hour.

4: Place remaining sauce in freezer-safe container and press 2 layers of plastic wrap directly onto surface of sauce. Tightly wrap enchiladas in bundles of 5, first in plastic and then in foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.

5: When ready to serve: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Defrost enchilada sauce in microwave on defrost setting, about 12 minutes.

6: Coat 13 by 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange frozen enchiladas in single layer in baking dish and coat tops with cooking spray. Bake until tops of tortillas are just beginning to flake, about 20 minutes. Remove dish from oven, top enchiladas with 1 1/2 cups sauce, and bake 10 minutes longer. Sprinkle enchiladas with remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese and bake until cheese melts and center of casserole is hot and bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve, passing remaining sauce and garnishes (see note above) at table.

(Recipe from http://www.recipezaar.com/)

Monteray Chicken

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish: 40 minutes

Ingredients:
4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons paprika
1 cup onion, chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chicken broth
1 1/2 cups quick cooking rice
1 cup monteray jack cheese

Instructions:
1: In a large freezer bag combine the chicken, olive oil and paprika. Seal the bag and massage chicken to coat well with paprika. Squeeze out as much as you can and seal well.

2: In a quart size freezer bag add the onions, peppers and garlic. Seal the bag.

3: In a quart size freezer bag add the tomatoes and broth.

4: I choose to measure the rice and cheese at this point and place in freezer bags (separately) and freeze.

5: Place all of the sealed baggies into a large freezer bag with recipe number or print and tuck inside. Seal the bag. Lay flat in the freezer.

6: To cook; thaw.

7: Heat oil in a skillet.

8: Add chicken and saute until golden brown on both sides. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

9: Stir in onions, peppers and garlic adding a little more oil if needed. Cook until tender being careful not to burn the garlic!

10: Add in tomatoes and chicken broth, bring to a boil.

11: Stir in rice, return chicken to pan with any juices on plate. Cover and reduce to warm or low.

12: Cook until rice is done, about 5 minutes.

13: Sprinkle with cheese and cover until cheese melts.

(Recipe from http://www.recipezaar.com/)

Classic Lasagne

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Start to Finish: 1 hr 45 minutes

Ingredients:

16 pieces (about 16 oz.) AMERICAN BEAUTY Lasagne, uncooked
1 lb. ground beef
3 cups (about 28-oz. jar) spaghetti sauce
4 cups (2 lb.) ricotta cheese
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions:

In large skillet, brown meat; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce; simmer 10 minutes.
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Lay flat on foil to cool.
Heat oven to 350°F.
In large bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, salt and pepper.
Spread about 1/3 cup meat sauce on bottom of 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Arrange 4 pasta pieces lengthwise over sauce, overlapping edges. Spread one-third cheese mixture over pasta; spread with about 3/4 cup meat sauce.
Repeat layers TWICE, beginning and ending with pasta. Top with remaining meat sauce; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Cover with foil.
Bake 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; bake about 10 minutes longer, or until lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. 10 to 12 servings.

(Recipe from http://www.americanbeauty.com/)

Cheese Filled Manicotti

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish: 1 hr 30 minutes


Ingredients:

14 pieces (8 oz.) AMERICAN BEAUTY Manicotti, uncooked
3 cups (about 26-oz. jar) spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
2 cups (15 oz.) ricotta cheese
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper


Instructions:

Heat oven to 400°F.
In saucepan, combine spaghetti sauce and water; heat to boiling, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; keep warm.
In bowl, stir together cheeses, parsley, salt and pepper; spoon into uncooked pasta tubes.
Pour 1 cup sauce on bottom of 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish; arrange filled pasta in single layer over sauce. Pour remaining sauce over pasta; cover with foil.
Bake 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; bake 10 minutes longer. 6 to 8 servings.
MAKE AHEAD DIRECTIONS: Prepare as directed above; cool 30 minutes. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; then foil.
Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight (casserole is too dry if heated from frozen state).
Bake at 350°F. 60 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

(Recipe from http://www.americanbeauty.com/ )