Freezer meatballs and sweet potato fries

We've been struggling to get enough food planned out to get through the week. By the time we get to Thursday we inevitably have no dinner!

So, this weekend we came up with yet another new plan to keep us on better track.  One night per weekend we will make a meal that makes enough for at least one meal to freeze and eat later.

I know, it's not brain science.  But I'll share my meal with you anyway!

Meatballs with lots of Veggies and Sweet Potato Fries.

Make Ahead Frozen Meatballs Recipe

The Players

3 eggs from pastured hens

1 small onion, chopped (or half a large one)

1 1/3 C. almond meal

1 cup peas (thawed)

1 cup shredded zucchini

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup shredded spinach

2 1/4 tsp. sea salt 

1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. Italian herb blend

1/4 tsp. pepper

3 lbs. grass-fed ground beef

Combine all ingredients and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 on a baking sheet.

Freeze whatever you don't eat - I like to put enough for a meal into individual ziploc baggies - I usually get about 3 meals out of these. Add them to a pesto pasta, just dip them in sauce, or add them to anything else that calls for meatballs!

I always have a hard time making my own fries b/c they get smushy after baking them. But then I figured out a little secret.  Freeze them first!  Then cook them at a high temperature - that way they don't get overcooked in the middle!
Also - this is the first time I used the super cool fry maker from Pampered Chef.  It is not easy to use but it did make nice fries!

Sweet Potato Fries

1 bag organic sweet potatoes

olive oil

sea salt

Peel potatoes.  Either use a fry cutter or slice potatoes into fry shapes.  Put them into a gallon size ziploc bag - then add oil (about 2 tbsp) and sea salt (about 1 tsp) and shake to coat the fries.

To eat immediately, put in 450-degree oven for about 10-15 minutes, flipping the fries once to ensure an even crisp.

Freeze the rest and cook the same way in the oven but don't defrost them first!

I have to say, it feels good to have some frozen meals in the fridge again - and I like that the meatballs have as much veggie as they do meat!

The other magic is that my kids love this meal so I know they will eat it...

Happy November!

Keeping it real! Kathy