Cook Once, Eat Twice! 15 Dinner Recipes to Double and Freeze ...

Repeat after me: The freezer is my friend. That's right ? the freezer can be like the best friend of all, one who drops off a pot of soup on an evening you're not feeling well, or a dish of pasta after a busy day of work, when you really don't feel like cooking. Of course, that friend is really you, doing a little extra work now so you can have an easy meal later. There are so many recipes that can make a little extra to be squirreled away in the freezer for a later time. These little packages from the past are a huge gift to your future self, setting a nourishing table before you at times when you are busy, stressed, and in need of a quick fix.

I experienced this recently myself, in a very busy week when dinner was the last thing on my mind, I remembered a container of chicken stew in the freezer. Defrost, heat, plate up with a quick salad and presto! Happiness all round. Be a good friend to yourself and create that kind of happiness with one of these 15 recipes this week ? good recipes to cook, double, and freeze.

Of course, the freezer's doesn't end with full meals. I also like to freeze meal building blocks, like pesto, chicken stock, and vegetable broth.

But there's really nothing to beat your very own frozen meal ? hearty, homemade, and happy-making.

SAUCES FOR PASTA & RICE
? 1 Braised Coconut Spinach & Chickpeas with Lemon
? 2 African Beef and Peanut Stew
? 3 Sausage & Fennel Rag?
? 4 Borlotti Beans in Tomato Sauce
? 5 Baked Beans with Pineapple and Bacon
? 6 Mediterranean Chicken Stew with Cinnamon Couscous

HEARTY STEWS & SOUPS
? 7 Hearty Chicken Minestrone
? 8 Chicken Stew with Kale and Cannellini Beans
? 9 Zucchini Garlic Soup
? 10 Roasted Red Kuri Pumpkin & Coconut Soup
? 11 Lentil Soup with Lemon Yogurt Cream

BRAISED MEATS
? 12 Barbecue Shredded Chicken
? 13 Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef
? 14 Slow-Cooker Carnitas
? 15 Veal Meatballs in Red Wine Sauce

Your turn! What's your favorite meal to make ahead and freeze?

(Images: See linked recipes for full image credits)

Source: http://www.thekitchn.com/15-dinner-recipes-to-double-and-freeze-recipe-roundup-177546

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