I am horribly terribly late in posting my daring cooks and bakers challenges 😦 I make the challenges in time for the reveal but finding the time to sit down and write the post has proven to be an elusive task.So for this week,  I am trying to catch up on posting my challenges.

This month, the Daring Cooks challenged us to think inside the box – the icebox, that is! Audax taught us some really cool tips and tricks for stocking our freezers with prepare-ahead meals that can keep our taste buds satisfied even during the busiest of times.

This challenge could not have come at a better time, as we head back to school  (I can’t believe how quickly this summer has slipped by) a bit of organization can be  a life saver in those busy first few weeks.

In this post I will share a collection of my favorite freezer recipes that I usually prepare around the end of summer to help me ease back into the busy school routine.

1.Pita bread

Having pita bread in the freezer opens up a world of options. Sandwiches, pita chips, wraps, quick pita pizza, fattoush. All you have to do is heat it for a minute on the stove top or in the oven and you’re ready to go

2.Falafel

My kids love having falafel sandwiches for breakfast, lunch or dinner or after school snack but making falafel from scratch can be time consuming. To make my life easier, I make a big batch of falafel dough and I store it in the freezer. All I have to do is defrost it whenever falafel craving hits

3.Pastry (cheese and spinach)

Any mom knows that having a grap and go breakfast ready in your freezer can be a life savor on busy school mornings. Arabic pastries are a great make ahead breakfast or after school snack. All you need to do is defrost them in the microwave or oven and they are as good as new.  Added to that, Pastries can be a great way to please picky eaters because you can use the same dough recipe with a variety of fillings: cheese, meat, spinach, zaatar, potatoes, the possibilities are endless.

4.Pao de quijo

One of my kids’ favorite after school snacks. They call them  little savory cheese macaroons! and indeed they are. The crust slightly crackles when you bite into it while the center is soft, chewy with rich cheese notes, it is almost feels like the center is formed entirely out of melted cheese despite being light and fluffy and full of little air bubbles.

Melted cheese is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face after a long day

5.Pumpkin puree

I know, I know. Fall is only begining but I can’t help it. School starts and I start craving apples and pumpkin!

Autumn or not, having pumpkin puree in your freezer opens up a variety of options,soup, pumpkin granola, pumpkin pudding,…

6.Pizza dough

Whenever I make pizza, I make extra dough to save in the freezer. If I know I have a busy day tomorrow, I defrost some in the fridge over night then all I have to do is allow it to come to room temperature and lovely home made pizza is a few toppings away.

7. Kibbeh

  Kibbeh is a Levantine dish made of burghul (cracked wheat), minced onions and finely ground lean beef, lamb, goat or chicken meat. The best-known variety is a torpedo-shaped fried croquette stuffed with minced beef or lamb. You can make these little kibbeh torpedos ahead of time and freeze them. All you have to do is defrost and fry , add a salad and you have a great lunch or after school snack.  You can even add them to your kids’ lunch box

8.Savory oregano cheese quick bread

 

Easy to make, quick , freezes beautifully and loaded with flavor.The combination of cheese, oregano, olives and herbs gives this bread flavor, color and a beautiful texture.

9.Zucchini dried fruit muffins

These muffins are a huge hit with the kids and they are pretty healthy with 50% whole wheat flour, honey, dates, cranberries and  little fat. That’s why they are on my “clear conscience treat ” list for my kids’ lunch boxes or breakfast.

10 English muffins

Having English muffins in the freezer is one of my secret weapons to happy, stress free mornings!

I know the first thing that comes to mind when someone says English muffins is eggs benedict but trust me,that is just the tip of the iceberg. Think of them toasted with butter and jam. Made into sandwiches. Add a few toppings and turn them into a pizza that is ready in minutes. If you are in the mood for something sweet how about making them into french toast.The possibilities are endless.