Heartland Freezer Brownies

These brownies stay soft so you can eat them straight from the freezer without waiting for them to thaw! This is another one from my freezer cookbook.

1 cup butter, melted
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
4 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup nuts (opt)
Powdered sugar

Combine butter, sugar and cocoa. Add beaten eggs and vanilla. Mix together well. Beat in flour, salt, and nuts. Spread in greased 9x13 pan. Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 20-25 min. Test for doneness; do not overbake. Sprinkle powdered sugar over warm brownies. Cool brownies completely. Freeze by wrapping in plastic wrap and then placing in plastic bag.

Frozen Pumpkin Dessert

from "Don't Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer" book

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar

Prepare graham cracker crust by mixing crust ingredients. Pat into 9x13 pan. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.

2 cups pumpkin puree
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 gal. vanilla ice cream, softened
(or omit pecans and use an ice cream with nuts already included)

In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, salt, spices, and nuts. Fold ice cream into pumpkin mixture. Pour pumkin mixture into pan. Seal top of pan with plastic rap, then foil. Freezer until firm.

Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving. Cut into squares and serve.

Freezing Avacados

Avocados can be frozen for later use when you have more ripe fruit than you can use. Avocados are not satisfactorily frozen whole or sliced; they are best frozen as puree for use in salads, sandwiches, and dips.

Avacados
Ascorbic acid
or lemon juice

Select ripe, softened fruit that yield to gentle pressure. Avoid fruit with dark blemishes on the skin. Wash the fruit, then cut in half, remove the pit and peel. Puree the flesh and add ascorbic acid or lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Add 1/2 teaspoon ascorbic acid or 3 tablespoons lemon juice to each quart of puree or add one tablespoon lemon juice for each 2 pureed avocados. Pack the puree into a rigid container, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Seal and label the containers, then put them in the freezer.

I freeze mine in ice cube trays, that way I am not forced to use up more than I need at any given time.

Use the puree within 4 to 5 months

Lil' Cheddar Meat Loaves

Like most freezer meals this one can be doubled, tripled, etc. if you have the space. I like this recipe because you can make the loaves into individual servings based on who you are cooking for.

Loaves:
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup oats, quick
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 lb. ground beef, lean

On Hand:
2/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1-1/2 cup mustard, prepared

Assembly Directions:
In a bowl, beat the egg and milk. Stir in cheese, oats, onion and salt. Add beef and mix well. Shape into eight loaves. Flash freeze until solid. Divide into airtight plastic freezer containers; date and label with serving directions; then freeze.

Serving Directions:
Thaw. Combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard; spoon over loaves. Place in a prepared baking dish. Bake at 350º for 45 minutes or until meat is no longer pink and a meat thermometer reads 160º.

One recipe makes 8 loaves.

Grilled Turkey Burgers

These are delicious! This recipe can be made ahead, doubled and frozen. Need a quick dinner idea? Defrost in microwave and grill them up.

Patties:
2 eggs
1 1/3 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup green pepper, diced
4 green onions, diced
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 lbs. ground turkey

On Hand:
1/4 cup orange marmalade
10 hamburger buns, split
10 Swiss cheese, slices
10 red onion, slices
10 tomato, slices
1 cup lettuce, shredded

Assembly Directions:
Combine the first seven ingredients. Crumble over ground turkey and mix well. Shape into 1/4 pound patties. Layer the patties onto wax paper. Divide into airtight plastic freezer containers; date and label with serving directions; then freeze.

Serving Directions:
Thaw. Prepare grill. Grill the patties, uncovered, over medium heat for 8-10 minutes; turn and brush with the marmalade. Grill 8-10 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 170°.
Grill buns cut side down for 2-4 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve burgers on buns with cheese, onion, tomato and lettuce.

One recipe makes 10 burgers.