Meatless meals that freeze well?

[DivaJen]

Suggestions would be appreciated!

[flash]

Re: Meatless meals that freeze well?

Quite a few, actually.

If you are using TOFU, freeze it before you use it; it will take on the consistency of ground meat when it thaws, and you can use it, and then freeze whatever you have cooked, similarly to ground meat. Meatloaf, tacos, ...

Most beans, lentils, other legumes freeze and thaw well.

[DivaJen]

Re: Meatless meals that freeze well?

If you are using TOFU, freeze it before you use it; it will take on the consistency of ground meat when it thaws, and you can use it, and then freeze whatever you have cooked, similarly to ground meat. Meatloaf, tacos, ...

Most beans, lentils, other legumes freeze and thaw well.

I didn't know you can freeze tofu! Wow - that is cool. So you freeze it, then thaw it, then cook with it, and it can be frozen again (cooked with the meal)?

[lrjohnson]

Re: Meatless meals that freeze well?

I freeze pasta/sauce/veggie cheese casseroles. I've been happy eating frozen bean dishes, like plain pinto beans (with seasoning), lentils and carrots, etc. Bulghur and veggies. Frozen oatmeal is good, and sometimes I like it as a comfort food dinner. Bulghur or rice mixed with canned condensed soup, any flavor. Soups, stews. I admit, though, that I'm not too sensitive, so maybe others notice huge texture changes I don't-?

[Savin4disney]

Re: Meatless meals that freeze well?

My favorite Red Beans and Rice!

[kashi]

Re: Meatless meals that freeze well?

I freeze cheese lasagna all the time. Bean soup, too.

[flash]

Re: Meatless meals that freeze well?

I didn't know you can freeze tofu! Wow - that is cool. So you freeze it, then thaw it, then cook with it, and it can be frozen again (cooked with the meal)?

Yep. If you freeze tofu in the block, then thaw it out, it is hard and crumbly. Still takes on flavor, but doesn't have that silk texture. This is how that "tofu chili" gets those chewy meat-like pieces. Freeze like chili, thaw like chili...you get the point.

You can "drain" fresh tofu before you cook, and it holds up better when cooking and freezing, but still breaks down. However, if you want a creamy soup, the "breakdown" is great!

[markio26]

Re: Meatless meals that freeze well?

btw... we freeze crackers, popped popcorn, cookies, potato chips, etc... we store them in tins when they are defrosted in the kitchen until consumed... keeps them fresher...
fresh veggies freeze well too..... we freeze eggs, 2 in a baggie with a lil oil on top... eggs are then used for baking only.