My friends and I have a "Fill the Freezer Party" each year. We always plan it near the beginning of November before the holiday craziness starts. Each attendee brings one or more homemade freezer meals. We draw numbers out of a hat. Number 1 get first pick of the meals, then number 2 and so on. Here are the rules:

– Make servings that would be appropriate for 4 to 6 people.
– You do not have to bring all the same thing.
– Make as many batches as you want to swap. That is, if you bring 3- you take 3 home; bring 6 – take 6 home.
– Make a soup or casserole that you can freeze and bring your cooler.
– It does not have to be already frozen.
– Also- even if you can’t come you can send your food and we can swap for you.

· * Also if any anyone has allergies to things we should try to avoid cooking feel free to let us know.

TIPS:
· Storing the soup in freezer bags or disposable containers works well.
· Remember to let your soup or casserole cool well before putting it in the refrigerator or freezer
· Label your soup (provide the recipe if you want to).
· As I recall from last year – about 10 cups of soup is enough for 4-6 servings for a meal. If someone remembers differently, let me know. Don’t stress over the amounts – it will all work out and we will all go home with yummy soups and/or casseroles for great meals during the Holidays.

We have a great afternoon together and come home with supper! It is a low key get together and easy to plan. Popular meals include casseroles, chili, and soups. I had a difficult time this year deciding what to take. Last week, I made a breakfast casserole for supper and it filled to pans. So the extra became one freezer meal. Yesterday afternoon, I was watching Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals. She took chicken breasts and stuffed them with goat cheese, spinach and parmasean cheese. They were then wrapped in bacon and baked. Yum-o! Sounds like a winner!