Cilantro Lime Chicken

Make ahead and freeze
Cook in the Crock Pot
This is one of the easiest meals ever. Make a few and put them in the freezer. You'll be so glad you did. I love that I just place it into the crock pot and it cooks all day while I'm at work. And it IS delicious!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds of chicken breast, cut into 4 equal size pieces (No need to cook before putting the meal together.)
juice from 2 limes
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 (16 oz) bag frozen corn
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper to taste

 Directions:
 Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix together and zip bag closed.
Store in freezer for up to 6 months.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours.
Cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 4 hours).
Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings (sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese). I served mine over rice.
Makes 4 servings.

Lasagna Rolls Make-Ahead and Freeze

I love having these in the freezer for when I don't have time or energy to cook a meal. Add a salad and your meal is complete. They are delicious also. Easy, quick, and delicious...that's a combination that can't be beat.
This recipe makes 8 Lasagne Rolls. Each one is a single serving.
Note to my kids:  You know how I am about lasagne.  I really like these and have made them several times.

INGREDIENTS:
8 uncooked lasagna noodles (I used 1/2 pound. Some of them always break, so I wanted extras.)
1 (12-oz.) container low-fat cottage cheese
4 oz. (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I used fresh. You could use the green canister.)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 (14 to 15-oz.) jar (2 cups) pasta sauce*
Additional Chopped parsley for garnish

DIRECTIONS:
Cook lasagna noodles to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain.
Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine all remaining ingredients except pasta sauce and additional chopped parsley; mix well.
Spread each cooked lasagna noodle with a generous 1/4 cup cheese mixture to within 1 inch of one short end. Just spread it along the length of the noodle. Roll up firmly toward unfilled end, like a sleeping bag. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Repeat with remaining noodles and cheese mixture. Place the wrapped rolls in a zipper freezer bag. Refrigerate or freeze lasagna rolls.

Place 1/4 cup pasta sauce in each of 8 freezer bags and freeze.

To cook one serving, unwrap lasagna roll and place seam side down in microwave-safe bowl; cover with microwave-safe waxed paper. If refrigerated, microwave on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese begins to melt at ends of roll. Spoon 1/4 cup pasta sauce over roll; cover. Microwave on HIGH for 20 to 30 seconds or until thoroughly heated. (If frozen, microwave on LOW for 1 to 2 minutes or until thawed before heating as directed above.) Top with chopped parsley.

(If desired add 1/2 pound cooked ground beef to pasta sauce.  I actually added the ground beef to the cheese mixture and rolled it into the noodles.)*

Freezer Meal Twice Baked Potatoes

I love making these and putting them in the freezer. Then when I want a quick and easy but delicious meal, I can just pull one out of the freezer, place on microwave safe plate and microwave for a few minutes. Fix a salad while it's cooking and I have a yummy dinner in a short amount of time.

4 large baking potatoes (about 2 1/4 pounds)
1 Package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened (This is a small package. You could divide an 8 ounce package.)
4 Tablespoons milk
1 envelope (1 ounce) ranch salad dressing mix
1 1/2 cups mashed potatoes*
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Scrub and pierce potatoes; place on a microwave safe plate. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 13-15 minutes or until tender, turning several times. Let stand for 10 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and milk; beat in salad dressing mix. Add mashed potatoes; mix well. Cut a thin slice from the top of each potato; scoop out pulp, leaving a thin shell. Add pulp to the cream cheese mixture and mash. Spoon into potato shells. Top with cheese.
If you are eating them now, microwave two potatoes, uncovered, on high for 3 1/2 -4 1/2 minutes or until heated through.
Place remaining potatoes on a baking sheet. Freeze overnight or until thoroughly frozen; transfer to a freezer bag. May be frozen for up to 3 months.
To Use Frozen Potatoes:
Place potatoes on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave, uncovered, at 50% power for 8-9 minutes or until heated through. I add a little more cheese after I microwave them.
*I just bake a couple of extra potatoes. Peel and mash with a little milk and butter for the mashed potatoes.