Which of your recipes can I make ahead and freeze for later use?

Your wonderful site was recommended to me by my doctor. So far, after two weeks of dutifully following the menus in The Mediterranean Diet Score for Coumadin Users, I have lost 3 kgs [about 6.7 pounds] and my husband has lost 6.5 kgs [about 14 pounds]. I plan on visiting family soon and will leave my lovely husband to fend for himself for three weeks and he doesn't cook. I would like to make ahead some recipes that will freeze well, so he can continue on his diet while I am gone. He is on Warfarin, so please keep that in mind.

The Health meets Food Team Says...

Congratulations on the progress both of you have made!

The challenge of going away and cooking three weeks of meals is not all that difficult. While that is 21 meals per week, certainly cooking recipes with more servings and eating leftovers for other dinners is one of the best approaches. For the first week a large salad that can be eaten on the first and third night will provide a fresh alternative: Salmon and Chickpea Salad

On the second night having another salad that could be used also in the first few days for lunches (half portions) as well. This Scallop and Penne Salad gives a fair number of servings of fresh fish in the first few days.

Stews do freeze pretty well and it's a good idea to portion them out into ziplock bags so that they are easy to thaw and reheat:

White Chili
Six Bean Chili
Spanish Beef Stew

Single serving items such as burgers that can be cooked quickly also freeze well:

Crab Cakes
Turkey Burgers - Coumadin Safe Version

Casseroles freeze well also. After they are baked and cooled, divide them into individual dishes for easy reheating:

Tuna Noodle Casserole
Crawfish Pie
Baked Penne (Don't add parsley)
Meatloaf

Lastly, this Saffron Salmon Risotto was designed just for this purpose and freezes well.

It's best to thaw meals overnight in the refrigerator and not take them straight from freezer to oven or microwave.

Thanks for writing.