Chook Me!

freezing casseroles and pot pies?

Could anyone offer advice on pot pie fillings that freeze well. I would LOVE to add some wild rice to some rather than potatoes, any thoughts on that? Curious if they would reheat dry or no. Trying to make a few freezer meals for a guy who is now alone, plus we could use these as well! So far I have some classic chicken pot pies & turkey pot pies. Also wondering about wraps and freezing those filled with somehting yummy that can be tossed in the oven for a quick meal. was thinking of using chicken, pesto, mushrooms & sundried tomatos as filling, too. Wondering if anyone knows if I could add rice easy enough or has a suggestion for that combo in a pot pie or wrap?? THANK YOU!!! I should elaborate maybe - I don't need help reheating really, I need help with a recipe to make these. I don't use a microwave so they will be reheated in an oven. I am basically making a whole bunch of meals so we may freeze and reheat throughout the month, I am giving some away so any help is appreciated! I will learn as I get thru this yet I would love to give away a few with rice that will reheat nice & moist should I find help with locating a recipe. Thank you :)

Public Comments

1. Heating in the microwave is quicker. We often buy frozen Chinese dinners. Several have pre-cooked rice in them. They are for microwave heating.
2. Being a former chef, the pot pie ideas are fine, just make sure to let the filling cool completely before adding it to your pastry cases, if you bake them to have them ready to serve and just need heating this is fine to. If they are to be done only until the filling is cooked and pastry not, proper heating instructions will be needed, if you put dairy product in the turkey/chicken filling just make sure it was thickened and boiled to prevent any separating in the oven. Wraps and other sandwiches are very tricky to make and then freeze, often they become soggy for the filling tend to ice up and then in the defrosting or heating of them they tend to exude there moisture, what you could do is make the filling separate to the wraps, and the just warm each individually for less of a moisture issue.
3. Dear User, I have tried a recipe similar to that. Except when I put in the fridge the rice got hard, and though I microwaved it the rice was still hard. Maybe not rice, sticking to potatoes never hurts. But if you would like to try it for yourself, it would be okay. But then I found out if you put a wet cloth it would work just perfect!!!!!!!!!!! So rice is also good. I suggest you make wraps. They are YUM-TASTIC! Though cooking does take a while, i think it is smart to pop it in the oven and eat. It would also work if you had maybe a pot roast. Divide it up into little meals. You can even make mashed potatoes. Freeze it, and pop it in the microwave. For a yummy dessert, make pre-made brownies or cake, or even buy the microwavable cakes. Fillings are great. And I think that is great Idea.
4. Pot Pies: Let filling cool before adding to crust. Cover with plastic wrap, then foil and put in a freezer bag. Best to get out the night before to thaw for the next day. Bake 350 covered for 45 min. Uncovered till hot 168 degrees. Yes you can freeze roll ups. Cool ingredients first. Make sure shell its very cold. Add ingredients and roll up. Freeze on a cookie sheet first then bag in a freezer bag. To heat wrap in foil bake for 1/2 hr. Unwrap and bake for 20 min longer. Put on a rack when baking to help with moisture. I make ones with scr.eggs,ham, shredded cheese. Works great. When reheating rice alone make sure to have covered with Saran wrap this helps trap in moisture so your rice isn't dry. Or you can take frozen rice add to water. Bring to a boil and than drain. You should be able to add cooked rice to your recipe because their is moisture or sauce that will keep the rice moist.