Food Prep For Calving
Calving has just begun for us, and I couldn't be more excited for it. Baby season is such a fun time of year. The whole season can also be very tiring and very stressful. Long nights at times and longer days, are things that can't always be avoided. This year I am made time to food prep, for the times I come inside and don't feel like cooking. I thought I would share some easy things I did as well as some ideas from others, and maybe it will give you some inspiration!
Freezer Soups
I am so excited to have some yummy freezer soups ready to go. It's a quick way to have a warm healthy meal. It is a big bonus that my husband loves soup in the cooler months. To be completely honest, the first one I made was just a simple hamburger soup. I looked up a recipe online, glanced over it and then made it how I wanted. I added black beans and some different seasonings so give it more flavor and sustenance. Who cares if you don't follow a recipe exactly if your husband likes it. I also did a cabbage sausage soup which will be super yummy. Chili, and taco soup are both good options as well and I will probably add to the freezer soon.
Tip: If you don't have the exact ingredients on hand but are pretty close, I have found you can usually figure something out to make it work. Especially when your grocery store is an hour away.
Bread
Sometimes bread can be a little demanding. Sourdough specifically, takes some attention and time. While I will always recommend sourdough for the health side of things, this year I started with an easy French bread recipe that I did by hand rather than in a mixer. The recipe makes two loaves and they are great for freezing. I will link the recipe below. I like to bake this bread the regular way and then cover it with a towel so that the crust softens. That way, we can either toast it for actual French bread, make some garlic bread, use it for breakfast toast, or even make little lunch sandwiches. It's a great way to have a versatile bread. I will also be doing sandwich bread and some sourdough to freeze.
Burritos/Enchiladas
This is a fantastic way to have an easy lunch ready to go. Breakfast burritos are perfect for an early easy breakfast as well. Homemade enchiladas are perfect to have at least one batch frozen, in the event of surprise company or just for yourself. I did some beef and bean burritos and they turned out spectacular and are large enough to actually fill up my husband.
Frozen meatloaf and sliced frozen meat
I can attribute this one to both my mother and mother in law, for reminding me how nicely these freeze. Not everyone likes meatloaf, but if you have meatloaf lovers around, freezing a couple of these makes a perfect easy meal that is protein packed and filling! Cooking a roast or smoking some meat to slice and freeze for sandwich bread is such a great way to have an easy lunch. The meat just needs warmed up or thawed and just like that, you have a lunch meat! My husband absolutely loves a sandwich with all the fixings so I will definitely be doing some of this for us.
Frozen Yogurt
This might sound like a funny one, however if you know you know. Kids add layers to life. Having some yogurt frozen is perfect for a quick way to have a healthy snack. I like to batch my homemade yogurt in large batches. Freezing it will help keep the yogurt in a way that will make it last a little longer. Obviously the consistency will change but personally, I don't think that's a big deal.
Cookies/Desserts
This is a must! Just kidding. However, it actually is very nice to have some frozen treats when that unexpected company shows up, your covered in calf slobber and the last thing you want to do is bake. It is also nice to have a little pick me up at the end of a long day. It's okay to treat yourself you know. Your husband and or family will really enjoy it also. Chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, and pie are all great freezer options.
If the ideas in this blog overwhelmed you a little, or you feel like you don't have the time to do it, I would encourage you to make a little time. It will definitely pay off to have even a few things made. My little boy is very clingy right now which makes cooking hard sometimes, but the reward of having easy healthy meals for us in a short time when we are swamped busy with calves, makes juggling his needs and cooking really important. Lets just say I learned my lesson last year when I was pregnant with him and we lived on pasta, rice and eggs. So yeah, a little extra effort at the head of things sounds pretty ok!
French Bred Recipe
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