Although daytime temperatures here have been comfortable and sunny, our nights have been unseasonably cold for the California Central Coast. We’ve had frost at night for almost a week, and more is expected overnight in the next ten days. Yesterday seemed like a good day to make chili — one of my favorite cold weather foods.
I made a full crockpot of chili. Due to dietary recommendations, I used small white beans instead of the red kidney beans the recipe called for, but it turned out okay anyway. It was just as tasty. I was able to make ten large servings in this batch. Since there are only two of us, and we eat smaller servings, we will get at least twelve servings from this.
I put it into the containers you see in the photo when it had finished cooking. The large casserole contains about a quart and a half, since I didn’t fill it to the top. Each small container holds 16 ounces, but I left a bit of room at the top because I will freeze those portions. I love that these containers have no BPA and I can put food into them straight from the crockpot. Then I can put them right into the freezer for use when I don’t have time to cook. When I pull them out of the freezer, I can put them right into the microwave to heat. I usually just thaw them here and put them in soup mug for heating because the mug is more stable.
Do you freeze homemade foods very often? Which foods do you most often prepare at home to freeze?
I’m a bona fide chili fan.
I only like it mild. I can’t eat the hot kind.
I do not freeze ready meals. We love beans but I do not eat it hot. But for the person next to me it does not matter how many degrees it is. It always consumes hot.
Everyone has different tastes. I have found freezing food a good way for me to go, since I can cook when I have time and then have something put away for when I don’t have time or don’t feel good enough to cook.
I don’t eat that sort of bean often, we are getting green beans in the garden. I do make humus out of chick peas sometimes with herbs, garlic and olive oil in a blender. Makes a nice spread or protein for a meal
It’s still too early for green beans from the garden here in California. They are good when you can get them that fresh.
I am a chili lover through and through. I dont care if its 100 degrees out, I will take a bowl of chili.
I prefer salads in really hot weather, but I’d not refuse chili in any weather if it were mild enough for me.
Chili I can never go 2 weeks without chili. Although I must say I’ve never tried chili and cheese. Sounds yummy!!
For some reason I like dairy foods of some sort when I eat any kind of beans. With chili I like the cheese mixed in. With Boston Baked Beans I like to drink milk.
I also love chili and cheese and crackers during the winter!
What I really like with chili is corn bread. I had popcorn with my first bowl this season, and that’s probably why I have to be at the dentist to get a crown replaced in two hours.
A few years back my twins were going to enter a cooking contest. I don’t remember why tehy decided to, but they did. My eldest of the twins decided to make Chili. They make the most amazing chili! We also love chili when it is chilly!
They have a chili cooking contest on our city every year, but I’ve never gone. Most people make it spicier than I can eat.
My son complains all the time that he has to make it less spicy becuase of my wife and their twin. Neither of them love really spicy food!
It’s spring and summer is coming.
I think I’d rather have spring weather during the summer. Summers are too hot here.
Same with me, we love spring, and Autmn.
Yep chili is so delicious, definitely a great comfort food.
Warmth is comforting when it’s cold.
a good post, to freeze cooked food … beans, grass
Having that frozen food in the freezer is a great help when I’m really busy or when the weather suddenly changes from warm to cold.
You’re right, Barbara…