The official CM thread!

[redring]

The container meal project
Ok I am starting a thread for my newest venture. I have posted befor about wanting to cut gerocery costs on a small time table. My solution was to make container meals that could be easily made in little time. I am trying for as few premade items as posable. Meaning less box mixes they are costly. i am going to post some container meal recipes here. I hope others can add some ideas as well. I would love help setting up recipes to make this work.


The recipes


skillet Lasangna CMP mix



Tex-mex casserole CMP mix



Asian ramen skillet


Jambalaya CM mix

[redring]

skillet Lasangna CMP mix

MIX


1/4 C. plus 2Tbs. instant dry milk

2tbs. plus 2 tsp. cornstarch

2 tsp chicken or beef bouillon

1/4 tsp. basil

1/4 tsp. thyme

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 tsp parsley flakes

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 C. dried minced onion

1/4 C. parmesan cheese

3 C. egg noodles

To cook:
1 mix

1 lb ground beef or turcky

2 C. water

1(16oz.) can tomato sauce

2C. mozzarella cheese

Brown meat, and drain. Add mix,watter,tomato sauce. bring to boil , reduce heat and simmer 15 min stirring untill thick. serve toped with cheese.

[ShellVera777]

Can the items be from a container in the freezer? If so I can help you with some freezer meals that cost between $3.00 and $6.00 to feed a family of 3 for at least 2 meals (with good size portions and not too many calories). I will wait to post them until I know!

[redring]

Tex-mex casserole CMP mix

mix


1C rice

2 tbs chicken bouillon

1/3 C. dried onion

1 1/2 tsp. chilli powder

1 tsp. basil

1/8 tsp cumin


to cook:

1 mix

3 3/4 water

1 tbs olive oil

2 C choped chicken

1 16 oz can diced tomatos. (I use the seasoned ones.)

1/2 c shredded chedder cheese



In skillet add olive oil and mix. Cook and stir for 2 min. stir in water. bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer coverd for 20 min.

Stir in tomato and chicken and transfer to casserole dish. bake coverd at 425 for 25 min.
add chese to top and serve.

[redring]

I was looking more long term. frezzer meals tend to last the month. How long are they good for??

[redring]

Asian ramen skillet
quick simple and easy meal from pamperd cheff party. I am sure I can convert this but not sure it needs to be. its easy as is. All expireable ingreadents can be kept premeasured in baggies in the freezer. Mark your baggies.



Ingredients

2 medium carrots, peeled & julienned
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
5-6 green onions with tops, sliced
2 lbs pork tenderloins or chicken,beef cubes, sliced into thin strips
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoons Asian seasoning, mix
4 (85 g) packages orienta, chicken, beefl-flavor instant ramen noodles
1 tablespoon oil
4 cups water

Directions
1
combine meat with sesame oil, asian seasoning mix & 2 of the instant noodle seasoning packets. mix well.
2
add oil to a large skillet (12"); heat over medium-high heat. add half the meat. cook & stir 2-3 minutes/until browned; remove from skillet & keep warm. repeat with remaining meat.
3
add carrots and bell pepper to skillet. cook 2 minutes/until tender crisp.
4
add water & remaining seasoning packets; stir to loosen browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
5
add noodles & white parts of onion to skillet.
6
cover; simmer 4-5 minutes/until noodles are softenend.
7
add the meat; remove skillet from heat & let stand covered 3/4 minutes (until meat is heated through).
8
garnish w/ green onion tops.

[mdowdy]

Originally Posted by ShellVera777

Can the items be from a container in the freezer? If so I can help you with some freezer meals that cost between $3.00 and $6.00 to feed a family of 3 for at least 2 meals (with good size portions and not too many calories). I will wait to post them until I know!

ok you are holding out on me lol I want these recipes PLEASEEEE, you could put them in the dirt cheap recipes forum. I think it would fit well there.

[wilbe95]

I was looking more long term. frezzer meals tend to last the month. How long are they good for??

The standard I believe for this is that most items in the freezer will still have a fresh taste for at least six months, some items up to a year-a lot depends on how well you protect the item from freezer burn. I like to do a lot of freezing of the items, I don't normally keep any item for the six months because I like to use all that I have before I purchase more.

Someone correct me if I am wrong on the freezer standard for most items.

[starsinnight]

CMP also sounds similar to convenience mixes.. is there a difference?

[redring]

not sure. most the mix recipes I have seen are cocoa and soups and biscuts. I want to work out dinners. Things that keep us from going out to eat because there is little time ,we feel too tired or just plain lazy. I also want to avoid haveing to cook all day just to make that happen. I know there are the freezer sites whear you cook for two days straight and freez everything but thats about all the time I get each week and its taken up with other chores. I thought the meals were only good for a month though. Six monthes is better and makes the venture a more worth while one. I would be happy for those recipes. What about a food sealer?? I have heard If I get one that I can make some meals that can be cooked right in the bags?? that would be handy. maybe then they can be microwaved or put in a crock pot at work for meals?? I am still trying to solve the work meals thing. I am easy to please but I work with DH and he is a paine. We ended up out $60 this week in take out because I ran out of time to prepare anything and he wont do sandwiches or reheats without sulking. maybe I just need to let him sulk but then I just feel like a bad partner.