Here we go again. What is forecast to become a major hurricane in 5 days is churning in the Caribbean. At this point, there is a lot of uncertainty. However, if you’re in the projected path of, Ian, now is the time to prepare. Below, you’ll find delicious meals and other items in my freezer, just in case.
I’m still freaked out at the thought of a hurricane hitting us after Ivan’s direct hit 14 years ago. We were without electricity for over two weeks and cable and phone service for almost six weeks. However, we did and still do have portable generators that could power the refrigerator, freezer, and small microwave. Therefore, having “hurricane” ready meals is a must!
Since it’s just the two of us, many of the meals I make throughout the year freeze and reheat beautifully; I freeze individual portions and then vacuum seal them for some of them. For others, I freeze meal-ready portions in small Pyrex dishes. Both are handy when I get home from work and just don’t feel like cooking. They become even more critical, however, with a threatening hurricane.
Before getting to the meals, let me share with you what else we do to prepare for hurricanes:
- First, ensure all our computers, cell phones, and iPads are fully charged.
- I have three SIM cards in various iPads that allow for tethering. This means that if and when we lose electricity, we still have Internet access, assuming that the radio towers are still functioning.
- Make sure that we have plenty of batteries and the right type. For our electronic gear, we almost exclusively use either AA or AAA.
- Make sure we have flashlights and small battery-operated lanterns for when we lose electricity.
- Make sure that we have a good supply of gas to power the generators, assuming that we lose electricity. We have enough generator power to keep the refrigerator and freezer running and power a small microwave when we need it.
- Make sure that I have plenty of cash – without electricity, the ATMs won’t work, and the places that generally take credit cards won’t be able to take them.
- Fill the bathtubs with water. As a child, my mother always filled our bathtub with water. I never knew why until after Ivan, the water pressure was insufficient to flush the toilets. So having water close by was a lifesaver.
- Make sure that we have butane that will fire our little butane stove.
- Make sure that all of our clothes are washed and dried.
- Tie down or bring into the garage lawn furniture, grills, etc.
- Make sure that we have a supply of charcoal on hand for cooking on the grill.
- Take my iPhone and make videos of all of the rooms in our house. That way, I’ll have a record of everything should I need it.
- Make sure that my camera batteries are fully charged.
- Sit back and hope for the best!
Now to the meals that can be easily reheated and a few goodies!
1. Chicken Pot without the Pie
I’ve been making this mixture for years, although I’ve never made it into a pot pie. Instead, I serve it over rice and vacuum seal individual portions that heat up in a snap.
2. Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is like lasagna but without all of the fuss. The recipe makes a fair amount, so I always freeze part of it in a 6 x 8-inch Pyrex dish. It reheats beautifully in the microwave, albeit without the golden cheese color.
3. Crusty French Bread
Generally, I make four or five loaves of this incredible French bread at a time. I wrap what we don’t eat in aluminum foil and pop it in the freezer. It takes about 30 minutes to defrost and is just as good as freshly baked French bread!
4. Turkey Chili
Turkey chili is a perfect dish for the freezer. The recipe makes quite a bit of this delicious chili. I freeze individual portions of the turkey chili and then vacuum seal them for the perfect ready-to-eat meals.
5. Make Ahead Shepherd’s Pie
Technically, this isn’t a shepherd’s pie because I use ground turkey rather than lamb. However, it’s a favorite of the Master Taste Tester. I always make three shepherd’s pies and freeze two of them in 6 x 8-inch Pyrex dishes. They reheat beautifully in the microwave!
6. Six Cheese Turkey Lasagna
This dish makes way more than the Master Taste Tester and I can eat. Therefore, I always divide the mixture between/among two or three Pyrex dishes – one for dinner and the others for the freezer. They’re perfect heated in the microwave.
7. Easy Chicken Rice and Broccoli Casserole
Can you believe I almost threw these 6 x 8-inch Pyrex dishes away? They are invaluable for these easy make ahead and freeze meals like this delicious chicken rice and broccoli casserole. When I make it for the freezer, I leave out the cornflake topping in case I need to reheat it in the microwave.
8. Red Beans and Rice
Red beans and rice is the perfect freezer meal. I freeze the leftover rice, red beans, and rice in individual containers, then vacuum seal the individual meals.
9. Coq au Vin
I’ve been making Coq au Vin for years. I freeze individual portions of what we don’t eat for dinner and vacuum seal them once frozen. They are just as good reheated and make delicious ready-to-eat meals.
10. Tony’s Pasta
The recipe for Tony’s Pasta came from a former colleague. It’s a snap to make and freezes beautifully. I freeze the leftovers in individual portions and vacuum seal them once frozen. Tony’s Pasta is delicious and served over noodles or other types of Pasta.
11. Low Fuss Chicken and Smoked Sausage Gumbo
Low-fuss chicken and smoked sausage gumbo is yet another ready-to-eat meal from the freezer. I freeze individual portions and then vacuum seal them. Served over rice, the gumbo is delicious!
12. Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna
If you’re concerned about eating meat, this spinach and mushroom lasagna is for you. Like other lasagnas, I make multiple casseroles in my 6 x 8-inch Pyrex dishes for ready-made meals.
13. New Orleans Hurricane
Well, maybe not in my freezer, but laissez les bons temps rouler with this iconic New Orleans cocktail. The perfect setting for a New Orleans Hurricane is Pat O’Brien’s courtyard overlooking the flaming fountain in the French Quarter. The next best place is at home or at a Mardi Gras party, enjoying this rum-based cocktail with tropical fruits. However, don’t let its sweetness fool you – it can knock you sideways if you’re not careful!
14. Amazing Turkey Burgers
Forget the Mushroom Cream Sauce. These turkey burgers are truly amazing on their own. I keep a ready supply in the freezer when I need a quick dinner.
15. Chris’ Lazy Man Meatloaf
Chris’ Lazy Man Meatloaf is an easy and no-fail recipe for making this ultimate comfort food. As is standard with his lazy man approach, everything is mixed together in a large bowl and combined using a potato masher. It’s delicious when first made and as leftovers warmed for dinner or cold on a sandwich or salad.
16. Outstanding Oatmeal Cookies
These are my favorite cookie that I’ve been making for years. They’re the cookie of choice I make when a hurricane threatens us. Although they are not freezer meals, these cookies are ready-made snacks to brighten our gloomy hurricane days. Perhaps I should rename them “Hurricane Cookies”!
17. Snacks
No hurricane preparation at our house would be complete without some munchies to pass the time of day. Here are the Hurricane Irma munchies that hopefully will not be eaten!
So there you have it – the contents of my freezer standing by for ready-to-eat meals! As a bonus, I’ve included my favorite cookie and hurricane snacks should we be unfortunate enough to have a visit from the soon-to-be Hurricane Ian. If Hurricane Ian significantly impacts us, I’ll post some pictures.
I sincerely hope that everyone in this monster hurricane’s path remains safe.
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