Meal freezing question...

[clarinetb]

I'm trying to freeze more. Soups/liquidy stuff I'm doing in bags and laying flat. How do you do more layered stuff? Or stuff with "shape"? :P I was thinking of making a veggie version of Sheppard's pie, Don't want to freeze the dishes I use regularly, though of buying some tin foil pans, but seems a waste. I vaguely recall people saying they froze in a dish, then popped it out and put it in a bag, then when ready to cook popped the frozen dish back into the pan... anyone tried that? Does it work well?
Thanks!

[jbug_4]

Line your pan with aluminum foil- make sure to leave enough extra on top to use as handles and to fold over the food, put you food and then put in the freezer. Once frozen, or at least solid enough not to lose its shape, pop it out and put it into the bag. I have found if I take a butter knife and use it like a lever in between the foil and the pan its easier to get out. But yes I have done it and it works. When your ready to cook plop the food back in the pan with the aluminum foil- just uncover it and bake as directed.

[clarinetb]

aluminum foil, brilliant! thanks!

[MDever]

I have greased freezer paper and done the same thing but remove the freezer paper before thawing and or baking.

[Leocaligirl]

I have froze in dishes then take them out, run dish under hot water and they will pop out.

[clarinetb]

Originally Posted by Leocaligirl I have froze in dishes then take them out, run dish under hot water and they will pop out.

Thanks WOrking on my freezer supply :P (I made breakfast burritos to freeze this morning :P )

I noticed in your siggy that you're vegetarian, do you do a lot of freezer cooking? Most things I've found seem to lean towards meat meals :P I've mostly been making extras to freeze some as I go..

[hopetc]

I just tried the alum foil a couple days ago. Once frozen it was real easy to remove.
I save the foil containers a local chinese place and a pasta place uses for take out. If it's messy I don't bother, but most wash up real easy - perfect for bringing others meals as well and funny how a container for one entree is usually big enough for a casserole type dish for a family of 4.
Some items I freeze individually then store in a ziploc - filled chicken breasts, stuffed shells, chicken nuggets.

[AverynRoryMama]

great ideas ladies, im always struggling to make good healthy meals quick