Freezer Cinnamon Rolls

Note:    Is there anything more fun than having friends come and visit for the holidays?  
We LOVE it.   If we have friends visiting I don't want to have to spend too much time in the kitchen.   Having these cinnamon rolls in the freezer makes breakfast easy and delicious.

Freezer Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients
1/2 c. very warm water
1 T. sugar
2 T. yeast
1/2 c. melted butter
2 eggs
2 t. salt
1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. warm milk
5 1/2 c. flour
butter
brown sugar
sugar
cinnamon
 butter
vanilla
milk
powdered sugar

Directions
Combine water, 1 T. sugar and yeast.  Set aside for 5 minutes to activate. Mix 1/2 c. sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt.  Add yeast mixture.  Stir in warm milk. Add 5 cups flour, 1-2 cups at a time. Knead dough on a well-floured surface, adding flour as necessary, until dough isn’t sticky. Let rise until double in a clean, oiled bowl.  Punch down risen dough.  Separate into two pieces. Roll out dough in a large rectangle.  Spread with softened butter.  Sprinkle liberally with brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon. Roll dough. Cut your dough into about 12 (1-inch) rolls.  (Tip: the best way I have found to cut is with dental floss). 
Lay them in a pan and let them freeze.

When ready to bake.   Place in a greased pan.  Set out on the counter overnight to let rise.  Bake at 350° for 20-22 minutes.  Spread icing while hot.


For icing, melt butter (about 2 T.).  Add 1 tsp. vanilla and 2 T. milk.  Sift powdered sugar into mixture and stir well until icing consistency.

Taco Rice

Note:   This recipe makes a LOT which means it gives you two options.   You can either make it when having a large crowd or you can make it and then freeze portions of it for meals later.     I love being able to cook this taco rice and have enough for two meals later.

Taco Rice

Ingredients
3 lbs. ground beef
3 c. onion, diced
3 1-1/4 oz. pkgs. taco seasoning mix
6 c. cooked white or brown rice
3 16-oz. cans diced tomatoes
2 12-oz. pkgs. shredded Mexican-blend cheese

Directions

Brown meat in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain. Add onion, taco seasoning, rice and tomatoes; simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes. Cool completely. Package in 3 freezer-safe containers; freeze. Makes 3 containers; each container serves 4 to 6. I take the container out the night before I want to use it and let it thaw in the refrigerator.    Just heat and serve!

Chicken Stew

Note: One more day until I get my grocery budget "restocked". I found this recipe on Southern Plate's blog and knew that I had everything to make it except a few potatoes. I knew I could swing that so I ran by the grocery store and picked up those items and then threw all of this in the crock pot. It is enough for two meals! I adjusted the recipe a little so I could cook it in the crock pot. Southern Plate's original recipe is found here.

Chicken Stew

Ingredients:
5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 lg onion, chopped
1 large can chicken broth
1 large can crushed tomatoes
6 med.potatoes, peeled and diced
3 T sugar
2 c. frozen or canned whole kernel corn
2 T butter
5 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper

Directions:
Place chicken breast in crock pot. Pour chicken broth and crushed tomatoes over chicken. Cook on high heat until chicken is done enough to shred (about 4 hours). Shred chicken with two forks in crock pot. Add onion, potatoes, sugar, corn, butter, salt and pepper. Cook for an additional three hours or until potatoes are well done.

Delicious served with cornbread. This soup is even better the second day.

Freezes GREAT! This would be great to cook and freezer to have ready for later meals or to take to a sick friend.

Sausage Cheese Balls

Note: This is one of the many items which I make and freeze for quick and easy school morning breakfasts!

Sausage Cheese Balls

Ingredients:
1 pound hot breakfast sausage
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 cups baking mix

Directions:
Mix ingredients in a food processor or stand mixer, mixing well. Chill one hour. Roll into balls and place on tray.

* Place in freezer. After they have frozen, place them in a zip-top freezer bag. When you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place on a baking sheet, and bake 20-25 minutes.

*If you did not want to freeze to bake later, bake at this time but only for 15-20 minutes.

As always, go visit Lisa for more Tempt My Tummy Tuesday Recipes. It is a great way to add variety to your menu! While you are at it, why don't you join us? Every Tuesday!

Pizza Bagels

Note: Why buy a box full of Bagel Bites when you can make your own at home for a fraction of the cost? These pizza bagels are great for school lunch, after school snacks, or quick suppers on busy nights.

Pizza Bagels

Ingredients:

bagels, cut in half (we like whole wheat)

jar of pizza sauce

toppings: pepperoni, cheese, olives, bacon, ham, etc...

Directions:

Lay bagels out on cookie sheet. Spoon and spread pizza sauce on bagel halves. Sprinkle with cheese and then desired toppings. Bake until browned and bubbly. Serve.

If freezing. Put in freezer until frozen. Remove and bag according to the servings you need.