Make Ahead for the Freezer

I have several large beef and one pork roasts in my freezer and some free time this weekend (gasp!). I would like to make some meals or parts of meals (like enchilada fillings) that I can re-freeze for when times are more hectic. Which is pretty much all the rest of the time. I am bored to tears with my usual suspects. Suggestions please!

Niknud
  • Posted by: Niknud
  • July 17, 2013
  • 3158 views
  • 5 Comments

5 Comments

petitbleu July 17, 2013
Oh, but I should say that if you do pulled pork, freeze chunks of it rather than shredding then freezing. It reheats much better this way and can be shredded after thawing and reheating.
 
Niknud July 18, 2013
Good tip - thanks!
 
petitbleu July 17, 2013
You could cut some of the beef into small cubes and make a hearty ragu. Ragu freezes very well and can be made in a slow-cooker so it's mostly hands off. You could also do savory pies--beef potpie or pasties. Beef stews or curries, chili con carne...
You don't say whether the pork roast is loin or shoulder, which will determine how you should handle it. If it's shoulder, lucky you! Roast it low and slow (or use the slow cooker or a smoker if you happen to have one) coated with ground peppers (smoked paprika, ancho chiles, guajillos...), brown sugar, cumin and coriander. The tender and succulent result can be used for sandwiches, enchiladas or tacos (or tortas as HalfPint aptly points out), on pizzas, nachos, hash, baked potatoes, etc.
 
Niknud July 18, 2013
Do you think you could do the filling for the pasties and just freeze that part of it?
 
HalfPint July 17, 2013
I would shred or chunk either roasts, portion into freezer bags. Later you can throw some into a tomato sauce for pasta, or mix with bbq sauce for sandwiches. I sometimes take leftover beef (any kind) and thinly slice to make cheesesteak sandwiches or Mexican tortas. Slice up the pork roasts and make Twice Cooked Pork. The recipe from Fuchsia Dunlop's Every Grain of Rice cookbook is simple and quick. You can also grind up the meat and make ravioli, but that can also be time consuming even when using wonton/gyoza wrappers in place of the pasta. You always make beef/pork chili. Chili Verde? Not quite sure what you're bored with, so I'm just throwing out some ideas.
 
Recommended by Food52