Meals is a big approach I present my love. It has grown unintentionally over time, however with each household dinner made, I hope my household feels a hug. Tacky? Completely, however that’s how I roll. That extends into making meals for others, too. I really like internet hosting and feeding folks. And I really like gifting meals when it may be useful. I’ve shared my favourite meals to convey to a brand new mother, however there are different instances the place gifting meals is sensible and generally giant, family-sized parts aren’t wanted.
I’ve a member of the family who just lately had surgical procedure, and I wished to ship them some love within the type of do-it-yourself meals in a approach that might even be simple and handy throughout restoration.
Enter Souper Cubes.
my affection for this straightforward but sensible invention runs deep. They’re nice for meal prepping, storing leftovers, and maximizing freezer house. It seems they’re additionally fairly implausible for gifting meals, too.
One factor I at all times take into consideration when bringing somebody meals is the best way to make it genuinely useful. Are lots of people dropping off meals on the identical time? How large of a portion do they really want? How can I make the reward helpful with out creating further work?
Disposable containers are a fantastic choice as a result of nothing must be washed or returned. However I’ve found that Souper Cubes supply one other actually handy resolution!
On this case, I made the meals, froze them in 2 cup parts, then gifted the frozen cubes (popped out of the silicone molds and transferred to gallon Ziplocks) together with the Souper Cubes stoneware to allow them to warmth and eat one serving every time they want it and not using a big casserole taking on half the fridge and no stress to eat every part inside a number of days.
For this meal state of affairs, I made a Rooster, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole and Shepherd’s Pie.
I absolutely baked the rooster casserole, then scooped it into the Souper Dice molds and froze it in particular person parts.
For the Shepherd’s pie, I cooked the meat combination and made the mashed potatoes, however as a substitute of baking every part collectively first, I spooned the meat combination into the cubes, topped each with mashed potatoes, and froze them that approach. They need to bake collectively properly when reheated.
Different Meals That Freeze Effectively in Particular person Parts
I’ve finished this earlier than with spaghetti and meat sauce and lasagna roll ups (this recipe however made into roll-ups as a substitute of shells) and now am brainstorming different meals that this would possibly work properly for. I can’t attest to the next however really feel like they’d all work fairly properly in this type of freeze and reheat arrange:
- Lasagna or baked ziti
- Enchiladas
- Chili
- Soups and stews
- Taco meat or shredded rooster
- Breakfast casseroles
- Macaroni and cheese
- Pulled pork or shredded beef
- Curry and rice
I particularly like this technique for conditions the place somebody might need a smaller urge for food or when members of the family aren’t essentially consuming on the identical time or in the event you’re making meals for a person or couple as a substitute of a multi-person household. As an alternative of reheating an entire pan of meals, they will seize precisely what they want.
Reheat Frozen Souper Dice Meals
I wrote reheating directions on the Ziplocks with the meals inside to make it simple to know the best way to reheat when prepared.
For many casserole-style meals, the really helpful technique is transferring a frozen portion to the baking dish and letting it thaw within the fridge in a single day. Then cowl and bake at 350°F till scorching all through, normally round 25 to 35 minutes relying on the meal. Uncovering it for the ultimate couple of minutes helps crisp up the highest.
Buuuuut, let’s be trustworthy. I really feel just like the extra seemingly situation is to warmth from frozen, which is 100% attainable however simply takes just a little longer, normally nearer to 45 to 60 minutes. As a result of the timing will differ relying on the meal and portion, be sure that the middle is absolutely heated. You should use a meat thermometer; stick it within the heart and ensure it reads 165 levels or extra.
Additionally, a tip which will or will not be apparent: when you freeze your meals within the cubes, pop them out! I had a buddy that saved shopping for extra Souper Cubes as a result of she didn’t notice you could possibly retailer them in a Ziplock as soon as frozen. Additionally, I completely love that 4 (2c) cubes match so completely right into a gallon Ziplock. It’s like it’s meant to be.
For this supply, I snuck over and loaded the cubes into the freezer and put the stoneware dishes on the counter with just a little notice and a few recent chocolate chip cookies, baked by Okay. As a result of cookies are at all times a superb add on; restoration for the soul in addition to the physique 😉
I figured it was price sharing as a result of it’s been such a enjoyable twist on gifting meals to family and friends and in addition labored very well for stocking your individual freezer earlier than having a child, a giant life change, or only a busy basketball season 🙂
What’s your go-to meal to make for a buddy or member of the family in want?
