Freezer Meal Group - June 2011

Again this month there were only four individuals in our group for freezer meal swapping so it was decided we would each make two meals and in the end we would have eight different meals for the month. I again really enjoyed making meals this way.

This month my meal options were Asian BBQ Chicken and Bacon & Bleu Burgers. I LOVE marinated chicken recipes. They are so easy to put together and grilled marinated chicken is SO incredibly delicious. I highly recommend following the tip and making the extra marinade for basting or added flavor at the end. We did not do this and While the chicken was good, I think it would have been GREAT had we followed the tip. KLB made the Bacon & Bleu Burgers for a freezer meal swap that she, Jabba, and I did awhile ago. We loved them then and we loved them this time too. If you think you don't like bleu cheese I recommend you try these burgers anyway. PE dislikes bleu cheese but he loves these burgers.

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Asian BBQ Chicken
from Our Best Bites
Prinatable Recipe

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp curry powder
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Combine everything but the chicken in a small bowl. Whisk to dissolve brown sugar. Place marinade and chicken in a zip-lock bag. Pop that bag in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours, or longer if you have it (even overnight). Preheat a grill (or an indoor grill pan or broiler). Spray cooking surface with cooking spray and place chicken on it to cook. Cook for 5-10 minutes on each side depending on the thickness. Optional: garnish with sliced green onions

*Tip: You can make 1 1/2 times the marinade and reserve some of the marinade before adding the chicken and then use it in the last few minutes of grilling, or just brush it on after for extra flavor.

FOR FREEZING: Combine sauce and chicken in zip top bag and freeze. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Grill as directed above.

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Bacon & Bleu Burgers
from Once a Month Mom
Printable Recipe

1 lb ground beef
2/3 cups bacon crumbles (approximately 3 oz)
1/3 cups bleu cheese crumbles
Optional – extra bleu cheese crumbles for melting on top

Cook bacon in 400 degree oven on a cookie sheet for 15-20 minutes, or until crisp. Remove, allow to cool and chop in food processor. In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients until well incorporated. Make a large ball of the meat and then divide into fourths. Make 4 quarter pound hamburger balls and then mold into patties. Cook on hot grill for 3 minutes on each side or until hamburgers are cooked to desired doneness. Serve on buns with additional toppings if desired.

FOR FREEZING:
You can make up these hamburgers and freeze them using sheets of wax paper to divide them and then place them in freezer bags. To serve: Thaw. Cook on hot grill for 3 minutes on each side or until hamburgers are cooked to desired doneness. Serve on buns with additional toppings if desired.

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