Welcome....Here's a glimpse of our happenings!

The verses that have REALLY spoken to me (Sarah) lately....



"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25



Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. I Peter 5:8-9



From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17:26-28



May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14



So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:32-33



God, our God, will take care of the hidden things but the revealed things are our business. It's up to us and our children to attend to all the terms in this Revelation. Deuteronomy 29:29 (The Message)

About the Friesen's....

We are Marc, Sarah, Luke, and Kate Friesen. We were married June 5, 2004. We have one son, born July 21, 2008, named Luke Andrew -- now 4 years old. We also have a daughter named Kate Christine -- born June 6, 2012. Marc is working at Cessna as a Senior Accountant, and Sarah stays home full-time with Luke. Sarah also gets to work very part-time at home for Graber Backhoe -- an excavation company AND VERY part-time at our church. We LOVE being a part of Grace Community Church here in Newton, KS. We lead a Community Life Group of other wonderful couples. Marc thoroughly enjoys long-distance running and Taekwondo. Sarah thoroughly enjoys walking -- especially when the weather is nice to take Luke and/or out in the stroller. Thanks for reading our blog!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Making Frozen Meals....

I've been busy this week, making meals to freeze. These meals will most likely be used for folks who need meals -- after a baby is born, after a hospitalization, during an illness, etc....We will probably also eat a few of these meals as needed.

I'm not completely finished yet, but in the meantime, Luke and I been to the grocery store several times this week because sometimes, I have forgotten to write something down on my list.

So, here's a photo of a very good boy in Wal-Mart today -- a.k.a. Luke. You'll notice his little "car blanket" in his lap. He's recently gotten to where he really likes to have that with him, especially if he's tired. My mom made it for him, and she actually also made a bigger one for when he is bigger.



But, the point to this blog post is to share a couple of recipes with you that make great freezer meals.

First, I will share Fuss Free Ravioli and Cheese Bake. This recipe is by no means my own. I actually got it out of a "Kraft Foods" magazine. Marc and I have had this recipe numerous times with ravioli. However, this week, I made one batch with ravioli and the other batch with tortellini. The following photos and instructions are with tortellini.

1 jar spaghetti sauce (16 oz)
1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (I use the petite diced)
1 can (10 oz) reduced sodium beef broth
1/4 C. Italian dressing
2 pkg (9 oz. each) fresh cheese-filled ravioli (or in this case, tortellini)
1 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

**Please note: In all of my recipes calling for shredded cheese, I use whatever cheese I have on hand (which is usually not mozzarella). In this case, I used a colby/monterrey jack mixture of cheeses.

So first, gather all of the needed ingredients....



If you watch my recipes and cooking long enough, you'll notice I'm really into cooking spray. I do NOT like things to stick at all. So, the next step is to spray your pan(s). This recipe actually makes a 9 X 13 dish. However, I divided it into two smaller pans.



Then, combine the spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, beef broth, and Italian dressing. You can do the combining in your baking dish (you don't have to dirty a mixing bowl).



Then, add the tortellini (or ravioli).



Lastly, add the shredded cheese on top.



Bake, covered, at 375 degrees for 50 minutes. Remove cover. Bake 5-10 more minutes or until cheese is fully melted and the meal seems "bubbly."

OR -- you can cover your dish and freeze it for later use. Then, when you're ready, thaw it out, and bake using previous baking instructions.

**I've made this meal numerous times and have had VERY GOOD LUCK with freezing.

Second, I'd like to share my Egg Casserole recipe. Now, I realize there are MANY egg casserole recipes out there, but here's the one we like. I think I originally found this recipe online.

12 eggs
1 1/2 lb. ground breakfast sausage (I actually only used a pound this time)
16 oz. shredded cheese
6 slices bread, torn into pieces

**The "official" recipe doesn't call for this, but I also add chopped onion for flavor as well as some mushrooms. This particular time, I didn't have any fresh mushrooms, so I cheated and used canned mushrooms. It turned out just fine :)

And first again, gather all of the needed ingredients.



Then, chop the onion.



Next, brown the sausage, onion, and mushrooms. Also, if you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you'll know that we're pepper people -- especially Marc. So, you'll notice in this photo the immense amount of pepper.



While these items are browning, you can begin the tedious task of tearing the bread into pieces. This might be something fun for the kids to do, but Luke's not into that stuff yet :)



Then, add 12 oz. of the cheese to the torn bread pieces.



When the sausage, onions, and mushrooms are browned completely, add the mixture to the cheese and bread. Gently stir together.



Next, crack 12 eggs into a bowl to whisk.



**This recipe does require a 9 X 13 baking dish. However, this time again, I'm dividing it into two smaller baking dishes. Also, PLEASE spray your baking dishes. Eggs stick!!!!

So, after the eggs are "whisked," pour them into your baking dish(es).



Then, add the sausage/bread/cheese mixture on top of the eggs.



Lastly, add the remaining cheese to the top of your casserole. Cover. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove cover. Bake 5-10 more minutes or until casserole bubbles.

Here's the last photo, before baking.



**Again, this egg casserole freezes well. When ready to eat, thaw. Then, bake as directed.

Thanks for reading...until next time!

4 comments:

Wallace, family of 5 said...

This is great! I love it when people post recipes. I am not good at coming up with things to cook, so I like for other people to give me ideas! I am definately going to make both of these and will probably freeze a batch as well :) Thanks for sharing!

Raising Koehns said...

Your egg casserole recipe is very similar to the one I like, except I also add some diced green peppers. It makes for some yummy flavor!

Unknown said...

I think I will make Justin the 1st Recipe for when I am gone. That's one meal he won't have to worry about!

Dannon said...

Both these sound great! Copied them down to try with my growing crew! :)

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