I recently posted a rundown of the points I thought were most important when choosing foods to stockpile in case of a Coronavirus escalation that shuts down schools, offices, factories and stores. Now, folks are asking what they should make ahead to provide variety and ease the stress…
Mom’s Beef and Bean Chili: A welcome way to get away from the everyday…
That’s really a simple question: Make ahead and freeze special dishes you think your family will appreciate if and when your meal options become constrained by shortages of your fave ingredients.
I’ve looked into several categories of preparation styles and have come up with the following recommendations to help get your own creative juices flowing. All of the following recipes will produce a balanced nutritious meal. You’ll only have to steam up some rice to go with some of the Stews.
Casseroles
Tuna and Noodle Casserole: A time-tested family favourite.
One-dish meals that you just have to re-heat are the natural first choice for make-aheads. Check out my recipes for some classics, and start thinking about family faves of your own you can out in the freezer before ingredients become scarce…
Tex Mex Cassalatta – A Chicken, Peppers and Cheese ‘Lasagne’, layered with Corn Tortillas.
Mac & Cheese – Make the real deal ahead; do NOT just stock up on Kraft Dinner by the case! You’re not a starving college kid anymore…
TIPS:
- Bake your make-ahead casseroles in recyclable foil ‘catering’ pans. They come with their own lids. At all supermarkets.
- Whatever the recipe, allow the casserole to cool to room temperature, and cover tightly before freezing.
- ALWAYS write the name of the dish on the lid right away, so you won’t end up playing ‘casserole roulette’ when you go to use them.
Soups
Asian Hot & Sour Soup: A Spicy upgrade from the boring, repetitive meals
we might face during a Coronavirus food Shortage..
Quick Pan-Asian – Mild
Asian Hot & Sour – Spicy – A Vegetarian option if you substitute Veggie Broth for the Chicken Broth.
TIPS:
- Let make-ahead Soups cool to room temperature before freezing.
- Package in meal-sized portions in double-zip closure freezer-weight zip bags. Freeze flat so they solidify in the shape of a book. This way you can stack them any way you want in the freezer to save room.
- ALWAYS write the name of the Soup on the pen-friendly patch on the bag so you’ll know for sure what you’re serving.
- Microwave to re-heat, placing your frozen Soup ‘book’ in a Pyrex casserole dish to catch condensation and any leaks.
- Any Soup or Stew can be made fuss-free in a Slow Cooker or an Instant Pot.
Stews and Such
Classic Indian Tikka Masala: A make-ahead dish to add variety and a
special feel to otherwise dull menus during any food shortage…
Baked Beans – Serve over Rice for a complete-protein dish.
Mom’s Chili – Go with the Rice, again; same reason.
French Beef Stew – Properly, ‘Beouf Bourguignon! You can leave the wine out of it, and substitute Red Wine Vinegar, but remember that much of the Alcohol evaporates in the simmering process….
Hungarian Goulash – Use a little Paprika or a loot, to your taste!
Cajun Jambalaya – Surprise the family!
Tikka Masala – Chicken simmered in a Spicy Indian Sauce.
TIPS:
- Prepare, freeze and re-heat as with Soups, above.
That ought to be enough to get you thinking…
… About all the make-ahead meals you can stockpile in the freezer in case the Coronavirus spread interrupts our regular supplies of our fave foods. Even if there’s no food crisis, you’ll have a great stockpile of heat-and-eat one-pan meals you can fall back on any night, with great results. Get started making ahead today!
~ Maggie J.