need tips-may be out of commission for awhile

[Susann]

Today I found out that next Friday I am going to have surgery. Depending on what the doctor finds, I will be recovering either a few days or 3 weeks (that seems extreme to me, though!). I want to prepare as much as I can beforehand, so I am going to do a lot of freezing stuff. I know we have posted about this before (I even started one of the posts!), but would love any suggestions for comfort food that can be frozen, or for that matter, anything that you can think of that I can do now to make my life easier. Thanks ladies (and gentlemen)!!

[alisome]

Susaan sorry to hear about your surgery, will keep you in my prayers. The old standard Lasagna, bean soup, or pot roast always works for me. Good luck and let us know how you're doing!

[Gail]

The hospital is not the country you were supposed to be visiting next month-- sorry to hear that! Looks to me like all those recipes you accumulated for The Great Country of Texas, would freeze pretty well. I was actually going to suggest things like chili, meatballs, meatloaf, spaghetti sauce, soups, stews-- all those things you usually haul out in the wintertime. Take care of yourself. We'll be thinking of you.

[Natasha]

Susann - I m sorry to hear your news. I ll be hoping for your quick recovery.
About things to freeze - I agree with all the above suggestions, and would stock up on frozen veggies. As you know, there are so many neat veggie blends out there as well as bags of single veggies - great steamed with salt and pepper or thrown into any dish.
Anyway, all the best and keep us posted (no pun intended!). Maybe your husband can bring you Monster Cookies, just in case the hospital food isn t edible. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif


[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 07-13-2000).]

[Cathy]

Sorry to hear you are going to be out of commission for awhile. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. There have already been great suggestions but I might suggest freezing a tamale pie too. Good luck to you.

[Susan]

I just checked Deborah Taylor-Hough's book, Frozen Assets out of the library, and it has tons of "comfort food" recipes for freezing. She was also the author of the article in CLs July issue about freezing meals. She has a web site that might be helpful: http://members.aol.com/oamcloop/index.html

I am having a baby at the end of August so I am planning on freezing some meals too. Here are a few I know I definitely will do so far: sloppy joes, taco meat, baked ziti, mac & cheese, and chicken & rice.

Best wishes to you!
Susan

[CATHIEA]

Susann,
Bummer. Hope your recovery is the shorter side of the doctor's estimate. How about making and freezing some cold soups? Cucumber and watercress, gazpacho, spring pea with mint come to mind. With crusty bread and bag field greens in vinegarette and some fresh fruit, August just might be bearable!
CathieA

[Beth]

I didn't reply last night in hopes I'd feel better able to say something appropriate today. I have known for over 2 years that I'll probably need major neck surgery someday, and surgery of any sort is not a fun thing to have looming in your future. I'm glad you will soon have yours behind you and will be on the road to recovery. I hope all the news in the meantime is only the very best. I am impressed that you are thinking ahead and stocking your freezer.

I have previously posted a Not Really King Ranch Chicken (chicken-tortilla casserole with black beans and corn), King Ranch Chicken, Chicken Tetrazini, Shrimp and Wild Rice Casserole, Zuchinni Corn Casserole and Zuchinni Fritters. I have frozen each of these in the past and will repost any you might like to have but didn't copy before.

I think the suggestion for some soups would be good, as well as maybe some simple roast or cooked or other meat, either to eat plain or to throw into recipes. Depending on how you react to anesthesia, the first few days, you may not feel like eating much and simple foods may go down best. Cooked rice and some plain pasta might also be good to have on hand. Also, not frozen but good, fresh fruit, yogurt or pudding might be comforting.

All my best. You'll be in our thoughts and our prayers.

[Stephanie]

Another idea is to freeze some meat in its marinade so all you have to do is defrost and bake or BBQ.
I too was out of commission for awhile with surgery and I stocked up on soups, spaghetti sauce and chile in the freezer. That made it easier on my husband, and I got something healthful to eat.

[lorilei]

... I do wish you well and hope that you are up and around in no time!!

I thought of something else you might want to think about -- how about a couple of savory soups? Non-cream soups freeze admirably, and make an excellent meal with crusty bread (as you probably already know). Easy, easy, easy.

[laden]

I'm sorry to hear you'll be out. I agree about the casseroles and meatloaf, etc. Also soups/stews in individual servings are really nice. Sometimes I'll freeze soup in 8oz washed yogurt containers. Mini meat-loaves made in muffin tins are great too, they cook quickly, defrost quickly and are automatically portion controlled!

Also if your husband isn't much of a cook then the bagged salads and lean quisine skillet sensations are nice.

I was out with foot surgery last year and my fiance took care of my eating needs. He was wonderful but has no idea what a reasonable serving is. I usually eat about a cup of cereal for breakfast, his idea is about 4 cups!

[This message has been edited by laden (edited 07-16-2000).]

[SandyDee]

Susann hope all goes well for you, I am just going back to work tomorrow after having been off for 3 weeks for surgery. Third summer in a row I have had to have surgery. But luckily none of them have been serious. But over the last 3 years I have learned what freezes and what doesn't. Gail gave all of the advice I could offer. Meatloaf, most casseroles, most homemade soups and chili all freeze well. I freeze spaghetti with meat sauce. Roasts (both pork and beef) and you could cook a small turkey breast and freeze it. You could make several different easy things with the turkey either before or after you freeze it. Hope all goes well. Good luck. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

[Linda]

I had surgery June 1 and the night before when I couldn't sleep at 2am I cleaned like a mad woman. I'm really glad I did because during recovery just the minimum gets done, if you're lucky. Best of luck to you.

[Shirley Panek]

I don't have any recipes to add, just best wishes for a speedy recovery. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Beth L]

I don't have any recipes, but you will be in my prayers. Take care

[MrsReber]

Best of luck! I hope everything works out okay and you are back on your feet (and cooking!!) soon! I always prefer the old italian greats for freezing- lasagne, stuffed shells, and ziti (as mentioned before). You can also add in some sausage or meatballs. A new favorite of ours is the spaghetti pie from a previous issue of Cooking Light (either last month or the month before). I'm sure that would freeze well. A lot of good suggestions are already here, too, like marinating and freezing meats. My husband does that alot. During the weeknights, I am always looking for easy recipes. Pizza, with pre-made boboli crust is very easy,too.

[SandyDee]

MrsReber I love stuffed shells. You wouldn't happen to have a good light recipe for that would you?

[BarbaraL]

Everyone's suggestions sound good -- lasagna, pasta, sauce and chili. Just wanted to add my prayers and best wishes for your speedy recovery.

[JeanneW]

I'd like to add my best wishes too. My advice after several surgeries is to remember to get plenty of rest! I have a broccoli cheese soup recipe that's not really light but does freeze well. I'll post it for you later.

[Susann]

Thanks ever so much everyone for the recipes AND the well wishes. I have been crazed woman (just like you said, Linda!) cooking and cleaning. So far, I have made (from CL)spaghetti pie, chicken and rice casserole,barbecued chicken potpie,pizza dough,sour cream pound cake, chocolate pound cake, toffee brownies, blueberry yogurt muffins and a meat sauce (not from cooking light). If anyone wants any recipes, let me know. Again, thanks everyone, I really apreciate it!!! (I wish there was a cooking and cleaning icon I could use here-oh well. Would you settle for a smiley face from me? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )
(Ooops-I forgot 2 things I made. I checked out a vegie chile cookbook from the library and have also made a white chili and a garbanzo bean chili)

[This message has been edited by Susann (edited 07-18-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Susann (edited 07-18-2000).]

[Natasha]

Susann - you may already have books lined up to read while you re recovering (especially since you re a teacher http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ) but I thought I would mention this.
The last book I read was a novel called Sister of My Heart by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (she was born in India and lives in Texas now) and it was very enjoyable. In fact, I had to stay up a bit late two nights in a row because I couldn t put it down! The setting was exotic and some of the events were a bit mystical, but the characters and their emotions were universal. It s a really fast read too.
Sorry - I know this has nothing to do with food, but I just thought I d pass it on in case you like books like this.
Very best wishes, Nat

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 07-18-2000).]

[MrsReber]

Unfortunately, I do not have a light recipe for stuffed shells. I normally just buy the part skim / low fat cheeses and I make my own sauce so I can control the level of fat and calories there. I love to make stuffed shells because I can easily freeze several servings of them and then take take them out to defrost in the morning before work.

[Natasha]

Susann (in case you do get a chance to log on today) - just remember that we re all thinking of you. Hope to hear from you very soon.

[dtuggle]

Sorry to hear you'll be out of commission for a while...

I found a great recipe in Bon Appetit magazine back in October of '93. It's easy to make if you have a food processor to chop all of the vegetables (instead of slicing them). I quadruple this recipe twice a year and freeze in freezer bags. Make the soup without the tortellini and just boil enough tortellini for what you're thawing out. And, don't skip the wine; it really adds a great taste to the soup.

1 pound sweet Italian sausage or chorizo sausage, casings removed
1 cup chopped onion
2 large garlic cloves, sliced
5 cups less-sodium/fat beef stock
2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 3/4 pound)
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 large zucchini, sliced
1 large carrot, thinly sliced
1 medium-sized green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried oregano


8 to 10 ounces purchased fresh cheese tortellini
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Sauté Italian sausage in heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat until cooked through, crumbling with back of spoon, about 10 minutes. using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to large bowl. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings from Dutch oven. Add onion and garlic to Dutch oven and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Return sausage to Dutch oven. Add stock, tomatoes, tomato sauce, zucchini, carrot, bell pepper, wine, basil and oregano. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing.)

Add tortellini to soup and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.

Serves 6.

[Gail]

dtuggle: This soup sounds very good. Does it have a name? (Jeff? Frances? Fido?) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

And Susann,

Please keep us posted and let us know how you're doing.

[Susann]

Here I am! The good news is that I am not going to have the 6 weeks recovery time. I already feel a little better (or maybe that is because I just took a pain pill http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ).
Thanks for all the well wishes. As a thank you, you each get a frozen dish from my freezer (teeheeeheeee)!!!!

[Natasha]

Originally posted by Susann:
Here I am! The good news is that I am not going to have the 6 weeks recovery time. I already feel a little better (or maybe that is because I just took a pain pill http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ).
Thanks for all the well wishes. As a thank you, you each get a frozen dish from my freezer (teeheeeheeee)!!!!

Susann!! That IS good news. Thanks for letting us know. I m also already looking forward to that frozen dish. Think it ll make it here by lunchtime? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[Gail]

WON-derful news, Susann! Glad to hear it.

And if you're looking for something to do with all the frozen stuff, Deanna's new fridge will need some filling... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Mamasue]

Susann,

Glad to hear the good news and that your recoup will be a short one! Take care and here is something to ease the pain! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

http://www.gifs.net/animate/bloomingrose.gif

[lorilei]

Good for you, Susann. That's good news.

Just think of all the time cooking you've saved yourself for the next few weeks -- maybe now you'll have a bit of time for novels and fun things!

[JeanneW]

Susann, glad to hear you're feeling better. Those pain pills are wonderful, aren't they? They made me feel like I could accomplish anything - just as soon as I took a nap.....

[SandyDee]

So happy all went well for you Susann. Those pain pills are a wonder. I couldn't get over how good you feel on them. Never the less take it easy and get well quick.

[Susann]

I just wanted to say thank you again for all your kindness and well wishes. Mamasue-the rose was great!

Thanks again, all.