About 10 years ago, one of my church friends came home and told me she had found the perfect job for me. I had been worried off and on about my job as there were always layoffs. She was visiting her daughter who would go to this new place where you could get meals for the freezer. These were more like home made meals and you would go there and prep and package your meals. Well, I didn't lose my job and still am working at my job...but it got me thinking. Instead of doing the freezer meal thing as a job, why not make it a church project.
It's taken me 10 years, but in October I finally started this project. I call it Freezer Meals, the church staff calls it Addie's Kitchen. I prep and plan for 4-6 main dishes or side dishes. I collect the orders and then my husband helps me buy all the groceries. Then several of us meet at church to cook and prep all the dishes. The first month (October) we had 24 people attend, then in November it was 27 people, and the last time in January we had 36 adults and 7 children. Some of the children were too small to help, but a few of the older ones worked with us. We made over 350 meals. It is so much fun! When I price the meals, I include a bit extra so that we have extra dollars to spend on meals for the church freezer. These go to families with a member in the hospital, homebound members, or anyone who could use a meal now and then. Anyone from the church can pick up a meal and deliver it to someone who would enjoy it. It has grown every time. Folks who first visit the church have attended. You really get to know someone when you are standing next to them crying and chopping onions!
I've had a request to post some recipes. Here's one of my recipes from the Freezer Meal in November. I created this recipe for my kids because they just loved twiced baked potatoes, but sometimes they took longer to bake than I wanted (they never taste as good baked in the microwave):
Addie's Baked Potato Casserole
Recipe By :Addie Sale
Serving Size : 10 Preparation Time :0:45
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method 40 ounces bagged Hash Browns -- Not frozen
1/2 cup butter -- melted
16 ounces sour cream
16 ounces shredded Colby-Jack cheese
1/2 cup bacon bits
1 teaspoon salt -- to taste
1 teaspoon pepper -- to taste
1/2 cup milk -- or more as needed
1 teaspoon onion salt
Mix all ingredients and poor into a greased 9in x 12in pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 25-35 minutes until potatoes are tender.
Of course, you can freeze this recipe!
Enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment