Fix, Freeze, Feast: More than 125 recipes to prepare in bulk and by the serving

I have tried several "make-ahead" cookbooks and found most of the recipes to be fairly boring - casseroles, chili, etc. I picked up a copy of this book at the library and for the first time have a freezer overflowing with meals that taste GREAT! I made the 4 B's grilled chops because I had everything the recipe called for on hand - I didn't even grill them - instead I took them straight from the freezer and placed the contents of the bag (meat and marinade) into a pyrex dish and baked it - it was AWESOME and my kids voted it an 8 on a scale of 1 - 10. And THAT is AMAZING! When I return the book to the library, I am definitely going to buy my own!

I bought this book to aid in dinner prep during the bewitching hour. I made 5 recipes. They go together fairly quickly and quite easily. Once they are thawed (some can be cooked from a frozen state - recipes give specific instructions for re-heating) they are simple to cook, making meal preparation a snap. My 3 kids liked the recipes, as did my husband (who is a culinary professional) and I. (We especially liked the Basil-Balsamic marinade which we used for chicken.) I have cooked in bulk for several years now, but many of the cookbooks I've used have recipes that are outdated and unhealthy. This one is different! No gloopy casseroles with canned cream soup. Instead, look for Tequila-Lime Chicken, Peanut Satay,Apple Cranberry Pork Loin, Asparagus and Potato Frittata, Vegetable Lasagna, Black Bean and Vegetable Chili, etc. They also include some classics, such as Chicken a la King, Beef Barley Soup, several recipes for ribs and steak, regular Chili, and regular Lasagna. Fish and seafood lovers won't be disappointed, as there are several preparations for this genre as well. There is something for everyone here.
The cooking instructions can be copied or printed off their website to attach right to the package before it goes into the freezer. If you've ever come across a mystery package in your freezer, you'll know this is a real plus. It also makes it easier to use these meals as gifts and "love meals" for those who are ill or going through a crisis. There is also a freezer inventory so you can keep track of what you have left in there.
I will definitely try more of the recipes. It may seem like a large output of cash in the beginnig to buy in bulk, but in the long run having meals already prepared actually saves money, as you aren't tempted to call for a pizza or do the breakfast drive-though (frozen breakfast burritos are in the freezer!). Highly recommend.

I love this cookbook! I heard about it on a podcast called Manic Mommies and immediately went to the computer to look it up online. I was able to browse through the index to make sure that the recipes were things that I would like and then I ordered it. When I received it, I was amazed...I have never had a cookbook where I wanted to make almost everything in it. I immediately started stocking my freezer and everything I have tried has been delicious. I love the fact that I have things already prepared when I am menu planning for the week, and that I can buy the meat at a discounted price at the warehouse stores. Some of the recipes do take a little bit of time, but I can do it when I have the time and my weeknights aren't so crazy anymore.

I haven't bought a cookbook in three years because most just don't have enough good recipes. I first borrowed it from the library and then had to have my own copy!

My family (six people that includes three picky toddlers) have tried ten of these recipes and all of them were winners! Although they need some tweaking to suit my family's particular taste they are all awesome.

Two great things that really make this book stand out is the emphasis placed on tray packs and realistic preparation time. A "tray pack" is the amount of food (usually meat) found in a tray at a warehouse store. For example, a tray pack of ground beef is usually around six pounds and the recipes use that number to make "three meals of four servings each".

Related to the tray pack method, I love that it doesn't take an entire day to prepare lots of dishes. You take your six pounds of ground beef and make three meals. I like to eat one that night and stick the other two in the freezer for the coming weeks. I don't have to make an entire week's worth of food in one day and I'm not so tired by the end that we just can't imagine eating. It really doesn't take me much longer to do three meals than one and it really pays off next week.

The last great thing is that the recipes don't rely on strange ingredients. Everything is targeted towards normal people cooking with normal things in our pantry. Dried basil and oregano may make an appearance, but file powder will not. There are even recipes for pie spice and cajun seasoning so you don't have to buy the prepackaged stuff.

My family has particularly enjoyed Rice Pilaf, Ginger Beef, and Sticky Drunk Pig on a Stick. All of them are already in my recipe box after only two tastings!

I love this cookbook. I have already made at least 6 recipes from this book. I had most of the ingredients already in my kitchen. I don't like fufu food. I have three kids and I don't have time for fluff. These meals were pretty easy to make, have frozen well, and have tasted great. I am looking forward to trying more.