Ideas Needed

fifie, Nov 11, 11:00pm
Looking for ideas to do some cooking for 2 young ones. Grandsons partner about to have bubs soon we are all pitching in to help, they are on a farm, he works long hours, she dosen't cook although is learning.
What do these teens like! they have a little freezer space, ive got heaps of mince, stewing steak etc to use up, looking for something different to make other than stews, spaghetti boll etc can you help.Also know they like pasta, any easy recipes i can put in a cook book im doing for her to give with a crock pot so that might help them when baby arrives.

bisloy, Nov 11, 11:31pm
Anything cheesey, saucy and filling, in my experience!
Mac cheese, potato bake, etc. Instead of tyring to invent something new, why not try a few variations on the basics you mentioned! Spag bol with penne instead of spaghetti; crockpot cassarole with a scone dumpling topping; cassarole in the oven covered with garlic buttered bread; kai si ming is always a great tasty was to use up bits and leftovers.
Sausage meat is really quick cooking and great for getting the kids to make tea as it is so simple and filling.
What would you like more of!

sue119, Nov 11, 11:40pm
You could cook up the mince with tomatoes, onions, pasta sauce, freeze into seperate portions in snap lock bags. Then they could just whip them out of the freezer and add to wraps, pita pockets, use for nacho's etc. Simple for a busy young mum.

fifie, Nov 11, 11:59pm
Thanks ladies, bisloy hadn't thought of dumplings and bread toppings,will do some have got some good savoury dumpling recipes. Sausage meat sounds good to ideas that would freeze would be good Ta.
Sue love the bag idea, wouldn't take up to much room in their little freezer either, thanks so much.keep them coming.

245sam, Nov 12, 12:32am
fifie, the following meatballs and their sauce freeze really well so assuming that there is only the young couple to feed, the one batch if frozen in meal-sized lots of a couple of meatballs + sauce each, would make 3 meals.

MEATBALLS IN RED SAUCE
Sauce:
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp brown sugar
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup vinegar
1 thin slice lemon
1 cup each oftomato sauceandwater

Fry the onion in the butter until tender.Add the remaining ingredients and bring the sauce to the boil.

Meat Balls:
1½ cups soft breadcrumbs
½ cup milk
455g mince
225g sausagemeat
1 small onion, chopped
saltandpepper
1 egg, lightly beaten

Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk until all the milk is absorbed.
Blend the mince and sausagemeat.Add the onion, salt and pepper, then the egg and soaked breadcrumbs.Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and place them in a roasting dish.Pour the sauce carefully over and around the meatball portions.
Bake, uncovered, at180°Cfor1 hour.Turn the balls after 30 minutes and check the sauce level - sprinkle in a little water if necessary.

Another use for some of the mince you have - hope that helps.:-))