LEFTOVERS - Homemade Micro Meals

LEFTOVERS - Homemade Micro Meals - Meals in Jars

In my office at work lots of people, young and old, are standing in line for the microwave! They are often warming up those tasteless little boxed meals you find in the freezer section of the grocery store. Eek. There are better options out there than those things!

I found a great money and time saver that gives me better food and more bang for my buck. Also, no trash since I reuse the jars! Another winner-winner, chicken dinner... or stir fry dinner, chili dinner, or pasta dinner...

Leftovers make great frozen dinners! Here's all you need to do it AT HOME MY WAY:

Frozen Micro Meals in Jars

Leftovers, such as meals with rice, pasta, chili, soups
Jars with lids. I use pint canning jars because those offer similar amounts like Lean Cuisine type dinners, but if you are a big eater, by all means use quart jars.
Lids. I keep a stash of recycled peanut butter lids which are plastic for using with freezer/fridge food. They fit perfectly on standard mouth canning jars. Lots cheaper than buying those Ball plastic lids since they are FREE!
Permanent marker for labeling

Instructions:

Place leftovers directly in jars, leaving an inch or so of head space. I use a canning funnel which helps but you don't have to have one. Rice and pasta warm up great! Mashed potatoes, not so much. Sauces and gravies would be great as are stir fries, chili, soups. You could even freeze restaurant food in jars. Yes, vegetables won't be perfectly crisp, but are they in other boxed, freezer meals? It will be hot, delicious, and your own cooking. YUM!

Screw on a lid.

Write the meal and the date on the lid. You could use masking tape to re-use, but I find that nail polish remover removes permanent marker so I do that sometimes for a fresh start.

Let cool somewhat before freezing so they don't heat up the other stuff in your freezer.

For lunch, grab and go. It doesn't get much easier than that!

To reheat, heat two minutes or so with the lid loosened until hot to your liking.

Dig in.

(Yes, glass jars work great in the freezer! )

Enjoy!

Gina

Comments

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