Get Started with your FREE Freezer Cooking Mini Menu!

Get Started with your FREE Freezer Cooking Mini Menu! We know all too well that prepared meals can be the difference between a good day and a great day! This mini menu will provide you with 10 freezer meals (5 recipes that will double to eat 2 times) in a matter of a couple hours! Simply shop, prep and freeze. Then, the night before you want to prepare the dish, pull it into your refrigerator for thawing. Follow the label directions, and your meal is on its way! Serving Sizes This menu is set to 4 servings; however, when you are a Once A Month Meals Member, you are able to customize the serving size (and recipes) to your family s size and needs. Menu Options Do these recipes fit your taste or dietary needs? If not, are you looking for something other than this menu you chose? Members have access to all menus and recipes of our 10 different menu types including: Traditional, Real Food, Paleo, Gluten Free Dairy Free, Diet, Vegetarian, Allergen, Baby and Toddler, Mini Menu, and Instant Pot. What s Included in this menu? 1. Combined Grocery Shopping List organized by category for faster & easier shopping. 2. Prep Instructions to help you prepare all your ingredients ahead of time. 3. Step-by-step Cooking Day Instructions for fast and efficient freezer cooking. 4. Individual Recipe Cards with detailed cooking and freezing instructions. 5. Printable Labels for your freezer bags with thawing and reheating instructions. 6. A Thaw Sheet for a full list of your menu s defrosting or reheating instructions. Additional Resources If you need additional information on getting started we invite you to visit the resources on our blog to assist you in your freezer cooking adventures! Also, don t hesitate to engage us on our social media outlets, or talk to us on LIVE Chat at www.onceamonthmeals.com! We love to get to know and walk alongside our readers! Get Started Series Freezer Cooking Made Simple with Mini Menus Start Freezer Cooking in Five Easy Steps 8 Reasons You Say You Can t Freezer Cook, and Why You Can Budget Freezer Cooking Tips 5 Secrets to Efficient Freezer Meal Planning How to Create a Custom Freezer Meal Plan

Traditional Mini Newsletter Shopping List Serving each recipe 2 times to 4 people. Item Amount Measure Notes Baking items brown sugar 10.75 ounces cornstarch 6 ounces flour, whole wheat 2.33 ounces olive oil 5 fluid ounces pecans 4.33 ounces Canned goods chicken broth/stock 4 fluid ounces cream of chicken soup 21 ounces kettle & fire's beef bone broth 28 fluid ounces pesto 8 fluid ounces Condiments balsamic vinegar 3 fluid ounces italian dressing 8 fluid ounces soy sauce 12 fluid ounces Dairy margarine 3 ounces parmesan cheese, grated 2.66 ounces sour cream 4.125 ounces Meat bacon 0.25 pounds chicken, boneless breasts 4.5 pounds

Item Amount Measure Notes flank steak 3 pounds pork chops, boneless 6 pounds Other crackers, snack (round) 3.75 ounces water 12 fluid ounces Produce bell pepper, red 4 medium carrot 2 medium garlic, cloves 7 medium green onion (scallion) 6 medium mushrooms 7.125 ounces onion 1 medium Spices basil, dried 0.125 ounces black pepper 0.125 ounces garlic powder 0.125 ounces poppy seeds 0.33 ounces salt 0.125 ounces Containers gallon freezer bag 8 8x8 baking pan 4 quart freezer bag 2 Supplies foil label

Serving Day Item Amount Measure Notes Baking items coconut oil 2 ounces Condiments honey 12 ounces Produce parsley, fresh 1 bunch While this list attempts to flag items that need to be specially purchased for your dietary needs (such as gluten free, dairy free, etc), ingredients are always changing in products. Therefore, we urge you to read labels while shopping for any product, as you know your dietary needs best.

Traditional Mini Newsletter Prep Instructions Serving each recipe 2 times to 4 people. Your Recipe Cards and Cooking Day Instructions assume that you have completed the below tasks before you start your cooking day. Meats Amount Measure Instructions Included In Needed Bacon ¼ pounds Line a baking sheet (with edges) with foil. Place bacon in a single layer on the sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until desired doneness. Dice. Reserve grease to use in another recipe if desired. Pesto Stuffed Chicken Chicken, Boneless Breasts 1 ½ pounds If less than 3 lbs total, boil water. Place chicken in water for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Prog. pressure cooker: Add chicken and 1 cup of water, cook for 15 minutes on high pressure. Release pressure. If more than 3 lbs total, place in a slow cooker (1 lb for each quart; example 3 lbs will fit in a 3 quart appliance) with 1 cup of water. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Aunt Sissy s Poppy Seed Chicken Flank Steak 3 pounds sliced. Crockpot Mongolian Beef Chopping List Amount Bought Measure Approx. Prep Amount Prep Measure Ingredient Included In Bacon ¼ pounds ½ cups cook and dice Bacon Pesto Stuffed Chicken Bell Pepper, Red 4 medium 3 cups dice Bell Pepper, Red Pork Chops in Balsamic Mushroom Sauce Carrot 2 medium 1 cup grate Carrot Crockpot Mongolian Beef Chicken, Boneless Breasts 1 ½ pounds 4 cups cook and dice Chicken, Boneless Breasts Aunt Sissy s Poppy Seed Chicken Crackers, Snack (Round) 3 ¾ ounces 1 ½ cups crush Crackers, Snack (Round) Aunt Sissy s Poppy Seed Chicken Garlic, Cloves 7 medium 7 teaspoons mince Garlic, Cloves Pork Chops in Balsamic Mushroom Sauce Crockpot Mongolian Beef Green Onion (Scallion) 6 medium ¾ cups slice Green Onion (Scallion) Crockpot Mongolian Beef

Mushrooms 7 ⅛ ounces 2 cups slice Mushrooms Pork Chops in Balsamic Mushroom Sauce Onion 1 medium 1 cup dice Onion Pork Chops in Balsamic Mushroom Sauce Pecans 4 ⅓ ounces 1 cup chop Pecans Honey Pecan Pork Chops

Traditional Mini Newsletter Cooking Day Instructions Serving each recipe 2 times to 4 people. Menu Description Menu Notes Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Stove Cook Freeze Freeze Freeze Freeze Pork Chops in Balsamic Mushroom Sauce: Dredge pork chops in flour to coat and reserve remaining flour. Heat olive oil #1 in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sear pork chops for about 2 minutes each side, then remove to a plate. Add olive oil #2 to pan and reduce heat to medium. Add onions and bell peppers and saute about 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Add mushrooms and garlic and saute another 2-3 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together reserved flour, beef broth, balsamic vinegar, basil, salt and pepper. Add broth mixture to the pan and stir scraping the bottom of the pan. Place pork chops (and any juices from the plate) in the broth and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and cook pork 10 minutes, turning half way through cooking time. Sprinkle with parsley. Allow pork and sauce to cool. Divide among freezer bags, label, and lay flat to freeze. Honey Pecan Pork Chops: Combine corn starch, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Dip pork chops in bowl, ensuring to coat both sides. Divide pork chops among 1/2 of indicated number of gallon bags. Divide pecans among indicated number of quart bags. Place both bags inside another gallon bag, to ensure bags are kept together. Crockpot Mongolian Beef: Coat flank steak in cornstarch. Combine remaining ingredients and place into indicated number of freezer bags. Add steak to indicated number of freezer bags. Label and freeze. Pesto Stuffed Chicken: Butterfly chicken breasts, then place pesto and bacon in the middle of the chicken. Fold chicken over the pesto and place chicken into indicated number of baking pans. Top with Italian dressing, Parmesan, garlic, pepper and salt. Cover tightly with foil. Label and freeze. Aunt Sissy s Poppy Seed Chicken: Mix chicken, soup, broth, and sour cream. Stir well, divide and pour into indicated number of 8x8 dishes. Mix crackers, margarine, and poppy seed in a small bowl. Top chicken with the cracker mixture. Cover well with foil, label, and freeze.

Traditional Mini Newsletter Recipe Cards Serving each recipe 2 times to 4 people. Aunt Sissy s Poppy Seed Chicken Author Name: Katie Recipe URL: http://onceamonthmeals.com/aunt-sissys-poppy-seed-chicken-2/ Yield: 8 Servings Ingredients 4 cups cook and dice Chicken, Boneless Breasts 21 ounces Cream of Chicken Soup ½ cups ½ cups Chicken Broth/Stock Sour Cream 1 ½ cups crush Crackers, Snack (Round) 6 tablespoons melt Margarine 1 tablespoon Poppy Seeds Supplies Needed Foil Containers Needed Label 2 8x8 Baking Pan Cooking to Freeze Instructions Mix chicken, soup, broth, and sour cream. Stir well, divide and pour into indicated number of 8x8 dishes. Mix crackers, margarine, and poppy seed in a small bowl. Top chicken with the cracker mixture. Cover well with foil, label, and freeze. Serving Day Instructions Preheat oven to 350.0 degrees Fahrenheit. Place in oven and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Crockpot Mongolian Beef Author Name: Heather Recipe URL: http://onceamonthmeals.com/crockpot-mongolian-beef/ Yield: 8 Servings Ingredients 3 pounds Flank Steak, sliced ½ cups Cornstarch 4 tablespoons Olive Oil 1 teaspoon mince Garlic, Cloves 1 ½ cups Soy Sauce 1 ½ cups Water 1 ½ cups Brown Sugar 1 cup grate Carrot ¾ cups slice Green Onion (Scallion) Supplies Needed Containers Needed Label 2 Gallon Freezer Bag Cooking to Freeze Instructions Coat flank steak in cornstarch. Combine remaining ingredients and place into indicated number of freezer bags. Add steak to indicated number of freezer bags. Label and freeze. Serving Day Instructions Cook in crockpot on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours.

Honey Pecan Pork Chops Author Name: Mindy Recipe URL: http://onceamonthmeals.com/gluten-free-dairy-free-honey-pecan-pork-chops/ Yield: 8 Servings Ingredients 1 cup Cornstarch ½ teaspoons ½ teaspoons Salt Black Pepper 2 pounds Pork Chops, Boneless 1 cup chop Pecans Serving Day Ingredients 1 cup Honey 4 tablespoons Coconut Oil Supplies Needed Containers Needed Label 4 Gallon Freezer Bag 2 Quart Freezer Bag Cooking to Freeze Instructions Combine corn starch, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Dip pork chops in bowl, ensuring to coat both sides. Divide pork chops among 1/2 of indicated number of gallon bags. Divide pecans among indicated number of quart bags. Place both bags inside another gallon bag, to ensure bags are kept together. Serving Day Instructions In a small bowl, combine honey (heat 10 seconds in microwave if needed) and pecans. Set aside. Melt coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown pork on one side, then flip to brown the other side. Next, add the honey pecan mixture and stir gently. Cover and turn down the heat. Let simmer for 7-8 minutes or until pork is done. (About 145 degrees F on an instant thermometer). Serve the pork chop with the honey pecan sauce spooned on top.

Pesto Stuffed Chicken Author Name: Katie Recipe URL: http://onceamonthmeals.com/pesto-stuffed-chicken/ Yield: 8 Servings Ingredients 3 pounds Chicken, Boneless Breasts 1 cup Pesto ½ cups cook and dice Bacon 1 cup Italian Dressing ½ cups Parmesan Cheese, Grated 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder ½ teaspoons ¼ teaspoons Black Pepper Salt Supplies Needed Foil Containers Needed Label 2 8x8 Baking Pan Cooking to Freeze Instructions Butterfly chicken breasts, then place pesto and bacon in the middle of the chicken. Fold chicken over the pesto and place chicken into indicated number of baking pans. Top with Italian dressing, Parmesan, garlic, pepper and salt. Cover tightly with foil. Label and freeze. Serving Day Instructions Preheat oven to 375.0 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

Pork Chops in Balsamic Mushroom Sauce Author Name: Kim Recipe URL: http://onceamonthmeals.com/pork-chops-in-balsamic-mushroom-sauce/ Yield: 8 Servings Ingredients 4 pounds Pork Chops, Boneless ½ cups Flour, Whole Wheat 4 tablespoons Olive Oil #1 2 tablespoons Olive Oil #2 1 cup dice Onion 3 cups dice Bell Pepper, Red 2 cups slice Mushrooms 6 teaspoons mince Garlic, Cloves 3 ½ cups Kettle & Fire's Beef Bone Broth 6 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar 1 teaspoon Basil, Dried ¼ teaspoons ¼ teaspoons Salt Black Pepper Serving Day Ingredients 4 tablespoons chop Parsley, Fresh Supplies Needed Containers Needed Label 2 Gallon Freezer Bag Cooking to Freeze Instructions Dredge pork chops in flour to coat and reserve remaining flour. Heat olive oil #1 in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sear pork chops for about 2 minutes each side, then remove to a plate. Add olive oil #2 to pan and reduce heat to medium. Add onions and bell peppers and saute about 5 minutes until they begin to soften. Add mushrooms and garlic and saute another 2-3 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together reserved flour, beef broth, balsamic vinegar, basil, salt and pepper. Add broth mixture to the pan and stir scraping the bottom of the pan. Place pork chops (and any juices from the plate) in the broth and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and cook pork 10 minutes, turning half way through cooking time. Sprinkle with parsley. Allow pork and sauce to cool. Divide among freezer bags, label, and lay flat to freeze. Serving Day Instructions

Reheat on stovetop for 8-10 minutes, until warmed through. Sprinkle with parsley.

Honey Pecan Pork Chops Crockpot Mongolian Beef Date Frozen: Thaw. In a small bowl, combine honey (heat 10 seconds in microwave if needed) and pecans. Melt coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown pork on one side, then flip to brown the other side. Next, add the honey pecan mixture and stir gently. Cover and turn down the heat. Let simmer for 7-8 minutes or until pork is done. (About 145 degrees F on an instant thermometer). Date Frozen: Thaw. Cook in crockpot on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours. Pesto Stuffed Chicken Date Frozen: Thaw. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Pork Chops in Balsamic Mushroom Sauce Date Frozen: Thaw. Reheat on stovetop for 8-10 minutes, until warmed through. Sprinkle with parsley.

Aunt Sissy s Poppy Seed Chicken Date Frozen: Thaw. Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes.

Traditional Mini Newsletter Thaw Sheet Serving each recipe 2 times to 4 people. Thaw Instructions Cooking Time Cooking Type Dinners Aunt Sissy s Poppy Seed Chicken In fridge 30 minutes Oven cook Crockpot Mongolian Beef In fridge about 5 hours Slow cook Honey Pecan Pork Chops In fridge 32 minutes Stove cook Pesto Stuffed Chicken In fridge 40 minutes Oven cook Pork Chops in Balsamic Mushroom Sauce In fridge 11 minutes Stove cook