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(MaryAnderson60) wrote in message >...
> Hi. I'm Mary and have a cooking question.
>
> My parents are elderly and unwell. I live a few hundred miles away. They eat
> well when I am right there and cooking meals fresh for them, but otherwise >they
> tend not to eat much of the time and both have become quite thin.

This is a real concern.

>
> I am thinking of preparing a bunch of meals in advance and freezing them for my
> parents. I plan to use all disposable containers/pans and keep
> preparation/cleanup for my parents to a minimum. I don't know that they will
> eat homemade frozen any better than they eat commerically prepared frozen
> dinners but figure it's worth a shot. I also don't have much time to
> experiment and am hoping someone here has some experience freezing meals.

I do this routinely for DH who works all the time (from home) and
often needs a quick meal in the middle of the night or early in the AM
before I am up and about.

>
> They like lasagne, casseroles, stews, etc. In the case of casseroles, would
> they be tastier prepared and frozen but not cooked until ready to eat as
> opposed to cooking them through so portions just need to be reheated?

I cook mine completely, portion them, and then freeze. I worry about
undercooked foods.

>My
> mother loves New England boiled dinners and I'm thinking it should work frozen
> if I cut the meat thick, undercook the veggies and include lots of broth in the
> portions (?).

Not sure what a NE boiled dinner is, but if it is like a pot roast
with veggies, then I cook it completely prior to freezing. I cut the
meat thin, though, so that it reheats easily. veggies like broccoli
and brusslesprouts, I leave in larger pieces.

>Can anyone tell me if homemade mashed potatos are still good
> after freezing?

Yes. I reheat in the nuker.

> How about good frozen sweets/dessert recipes?

Brownies and cookies (wrap well), apple (or peach) crisp and cobblers.

>
> I would appreciate anyone sharing recipes that freeze well. Any hints about
> preparing complete frozen meals, as opposed to just entrees, would also be >most
> welcome.

Basically, I purchased a set of 8 pyrex glass containers (I think they
are 2-quart) with rubber tops made for freezer and oven use. I
apportion the (cooled, cooked) meat on one side, and the
potatoes/starch on the other - often pouring in some purchased frozen
veggies as well, in their own little corner, just prior to freezing.
I make sure to add some broth or pan drippings to make sure everything
stays moist during cooking. When ready to eat, DH removes the top,
places foil on top, and then pops it in the oven at 350 for about an
hour (sometimes more).

Lasagne casserole works well also - two layers of: cooked pasta, meat
sauce, cheese. I put a little sauce in the bottom prior to adding the
first layer of pasta, just to keep it more moist.

>
> Meals on Wheels would be ideal for my parents but they won't consider it. I
> even looked at "personal chefs" to cook for them every week but price is
> prohibitive.
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice.

What about single-serving frozen desserts like ice cream cups and
bars, etc? I know my Mom would often eat that, if nothing else. Not
the best nutritionally, but it is better than NOTHING. Also, she
liked canned fruit coctail, peaches and pears, as well as canned soups
and yogurt. It's amazing how similar some elders are to kids, in some
respects.

Good luck! Is there an elder advocate/social worker you can invoke to
check on them in your absence?

-L.