recipes | My Meals are on Wheels

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

May 24, 2017 at 4:46 AM | Posted in Kitchen Hints | Leave a comment
Tags: Baking, Cooking, Cooking Tips, Food, Grilling, Kitchen Hints, Pans, recipes, Skillets

Save the Skillets……

To prevent nonstick linings from becoming damaged by bumps and scratches, place paper towels between pans when stacking them together for storage.
* Mom has been doing this one for a long time.

Seasoned Gulf Coast Grouper w/ Smashed Potatoes and Purple Passion Asparagus

May 23, 2017 at 4:53 PM | Posted in fish, potatoes | Leave a comment
Tags: Baking, Cooking, Fish, Food, Grouper, Purple Passion Asparagus, recipes, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Zatarain’s Seafood Breading Mix

Today’s Menu: Seasoned Gulf Coast Grouper w/ Smashed Potatoes and Purple Passion Asparagus

For Breakfast this morning I prepared a Scrambled Egg that i topped with Sargento Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese and a few drops of Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. Then I fried 2 Jennie – O Turkey Breakfast Sausage Links, toasted 2 slices of Healthy Life Whole Grain Bread, and a cup of Bigelow Decaf Green Tea. Outside it was 48 degrees this morning and its partly cloudy and had a high of 76 degrees. Gave Mom a hand with laundry and then outside and cleaned. After Lunch I got the clippers out and trimmed the vines alongside the driveway. Got the cart out later and took a ride around the neighborhood. For Dinner tonight its Seasoned Gulf Coast Grouper w/ Smashed Potatoes and Purple Passion Asparagus.

I love Fish and Seafood, especially this Florida Gulf Coast Grouper my friends keep bringing me back up from Florida! I had a fillet of it in the freezer, laid it in the fridge overnight to thaw. To prepare the fillets I seasoned them with just a bit of Sea Salt and put the fillets in a Hefty Zip Plastic Bag where I then added the Zatarain’s Seafood Breading Mix Seasoning. Shook until the fillets were well coated. Shook off the excess. Then got the Cast Iron Skillet out, sprayed it with a light coat of Pam Cooking Spray and added a tablespoon of Light Olive Oil. Heated the skillet on medium heat. When the skillet was ready I added the Grouper Fillets, frying about 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Grouper is so meaty and flavorful. Love Fish and Love this Grouper!

For a side dish I prepared Rustic Smashed Potatoes with Sea Salt. I’ve made Smashed Potatoes before and thought I would give this recipe a try. I came across this recipe on the Swift Premium site while reading about the Shoulder Roast I’m having tonight. I’ll need the following to prepare the dish; Yukon gold new potatoes, Blue Bonnet Light Butter (melted), Extra Light Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, and McCormick Grinder Sea Salt and Peppercorn Medley Pepper.

To prepare the dish; Cook potatoes in gently boiling heavily salted water for 12 to 15 minutes or just until tender. Drain well and cool slightly. Transfer the potatoes to a large baking sheet lined with foil. Gently press each potato with the bottom of a cup until slightly crushed and flattened, but not falling apart. Next preheat oven broiler. Combine the butter, oil and garlic powder. Brush half of the butter mixture on potatoes. Broil 3 inches from heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden and slightly crisp. Carefully turn potatoes over using a wide spatula. Brush with butter mixture; lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil for another 2 to 4 minutes or until golden. Let cool and serve! Excellent Smashed Potato Recipe!

For another side dish I had picked up some more of the Purple Passion Asparagus at Meijer. It tastes like Green Asparagus but it’s less fibrous and sweeter due to a higher sugar content. I prepared it the same way as the Roasted Asparagus I’ve made before. I’ll need; 1 bunch of Purple Asparagus (fibrous bases removed), 1 Tablespoon of Crumbled Bacon or Bacon Bits, Ground Garlic Salt, Sea Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper, and 1 tbsp Extra Light Olive Oil.

To prepare it is easy; Preheat the oven to 400F. Place asparagus in a baking tray sheet. Add the bacon, garlic salt, salt, pepper, and olive oil and toss to coat. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool a couple of minutes and serve! Comes out tender and that slight sweet taste to it. Really like the Purple Asparagus over the Green Asparagus! What a Dinner tonight! For Dessert later a Weight Watcher’s Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Bar.

Grouper – Firm texture, white meat with large flake and a mild flavor. Extra lean fish.

NUTRITION
Nutritional values for approximately 4 ounces (114 grams) of raw, edible portions
* Calories 110
* Calories From Fat 20
* Total Fat 2 g
* Saturated Fat 0 g
* Cholesterol 55 mg
* Sodium 65 mg
* Total Carbohydrates 0 g
* Protein 23 g

Taste of Cincinnati May 27-29, 2017

May 23, 2017 at 1:28 PM | Posted in Festivals, Food | Leave a comment
Tags: Baking, Beef, Burgers, Chicken, Cincinnati, Cooking, Festivals, Food, Grilling, Ohio, Pork, recipes, Sausages, Seafood, Taste of Cincinnati

39TH ANNUAL Taste of Cincinnati
The Nation’s Longest Running Free Culinary Festival
May 27-29 2017
5TH STREET DOWNTOWN
http://www.tasteofcincinnati.com/

About Taste of Cincinnati
Taste of Cincinnati is held every Memorial Day weekend in downtown Cincinnati by the Corporate and Community Events division of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Started in 1979, it is now the nation’s longest running culinary arts festival.

Taste of Cincinnati started as a one-day fest in Piatt Park, then known as Garfield Park, with approximately 5,000 attending the first event. The event expanded to two days in 1981, and in 1988 expanded to three days and moved to Central Parkway. Taste of Cincinnati was the brainchild of Karen Maier, vice president of marketing for Frisch’s Restaurants Inc. Maier cooked up the idea after reading about Taste of the Big Apple in the Nation’s Restaurant News, an industry trade publication.

In 2007, the event was moved to Fifth Street to spotlight the $42-million renovation of Fountain Square and its underground parking garage, and to bring the event closer to Downtown’s cluster of hotels, such as The Cincinnatian Hotel, the Garfield Suites Hotel, the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, the Millennium Hotel Cincinnati, The Terrace Hotel and the Westin Hotel Cincinnati.

Approximately 500,000 now attend the annual food extravaganza, making Taste one of the nation’s largest street festivals. Taste of Cincinnati was named Food Event of the Year for 1997 by Events Business News, the recognized authority of the special events business in the United States, selecting it out of 40,000 special events across the nation.

Taste of Cincinnati features more than 40 fine restaurants serving up delicious and delectable menu items. In the weeks leading up to Taste each year, menu items are previewed and judged for prestigious Best of Taste Awards.

Taste of Cincinnati is also a music festival, with continuous live entertainment featuring local and national recording stars performing on multiple stages throughout the event.

Festival Hours
Saturday, May 27, 2017 | 11AM – 11PM
Sunday, May 28, 2017 | 11 AM – 11PM
Monday, May 29, 2017 | 11AM – 9PM
*There is no admission for for Taste of Cincinnati. Menu items range from $3-$6.

Directions
Taste of Cincinnati is held on 4 blocks of Fifth Street, between Main Street and just east of Sentinel Street in downtown Cincinnati.
http://www.tasteofcincinnati.com/

Diabetic Dish of the Week – Fiesta Fish Tacos

May 23, 2017 at 5:38 AM | Posted in diabetes, diabetes friendly, Diabetic Dish of the Week, Diabetic Gourmet Magazine | Leave a comment
Tags: Baking, Cooking, Diabetes, Diabetic Dish of the Week, Diabetic Gourmet Magazine, Fiesta Fish Tacos, Fish, Food, recipes, Tacos, Tilapia, Tortillas

This week’s Diabetic Dish of the Week is Fiesta Fish Tacos. It’s from the Diabetes Self Management website. The Diabetes Self Management is an excellent site. Not only does it have a good selection of Diabetic Friendly recipes you’ll also find tips on Managing Diabetes, Nutrition and Exercise, Diabetes Resources, and more! So be sure to check the site out soon. Enjoy and Eat Healthy! https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/

Fiesta Fish Tacos

Ingredients

Juice of 1/2 lime
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound tilapia fillets
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 tablespoon minced cilantro
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
4 (6-inch) whole-wheat tortillas
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup cubed mango
Black pepper, to taste
Directions

Mix lime juice, garlic, and olive oil in a glass bowl.

Add tilapia and marinate in refrigerator for one hour.

Place tilapia in a glass baking dish surrounded by green and red bell peppers, minced cilantro, and tomatoes.

Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

Divide fish and veggies into four servings and place on each of the warmed tortillas.

Top with lettuce, cubed mango, and a sprinkling of black pepper.

Yield: 4 servings. Serving size: 1/4 of recipe.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:
Calories: 260, Carbohydrates: 27 g, Protein: 26 g, Fat: 6 g, Saturated Fat: 1.4 g, Cholesterol: 50 mg, Fiber: 4 g
https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/recipes/main-dishes/fiesta-fish-tacos/

Easy Recipes: One-Dish Dinners

May 23, 2017 at 5:32 AM | Posted in diabetes, diabetes friendly, Diabetic Living On Line | Leave a comment
Tags: Baking, Beef, Beer, Chicken, Cooking, Diabetes, Diabetic Living Online, Dumplings, Food, Grilling, One-Dish Dinners, recipes, Shrimp, Stew, stir-fry

From the Diabetic Living Online website its – Easy Recipes: One-Dish Dinners. Delicious and Diabetic Friendly recipes like; Chicken and Cornmeal Dumplings, No-Fry Shrimp Stir-Fry, and Hearty Pork-Beer Stew. Find these recipes and more at the Diabetic Living Online website. Enjoy and Eat Healthy! http://www.diabeticlivingonline.com/

Easy Recipes: One-Dish Dinners

These yummy one-dish recipes are super easy to prepare and even easier to clean up. Made with a diabetic menu in mind, our meal-in-a-bowl recipes are nutritious and tasty, perfect for dinner tonight.

Chicken and Cornmeal Dumplings

This easy slow cooker meal is packed with protein — and flavor. Chicken, corn, and carrots simmer with yummy spices, while homemade cornmeal dumplings make this one-pot meal extra tasty……

No-Fry Shrimp Stir-Fry

The secret to super easy stir-fry? A microwave. This delicious, diabetes-friendly recipe turns six ingredients into a quick weeknight meal in minutes……..

Hearty Pork-Beer Stew

With big chunks of sweet potatoes and apples in a beer broth, this main-dish stew with less than 30 grams of carb per serving is perfect for chilly evenings…….

* Click the link below to get all the – Easy Recipes: One-Dish Dinners
http://www.diabeticlivingonline.com/diabetic-recipes/30-minute/easy-recipes-one-dish-dinners

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

May 23, 2017 at 5:31 AM | Posted in Kitchen Hints | Leave a comment
Tags: Baking, cakes, Cooking, Cooking Tips, Desserts, Eggs, Food, Kitchen Hints, Mayonnaise, recipes

Thank you to Lori for passing this hint along…….

Didn’t know this one – If you are baking a cake and are an egg short, blend in a couple of tablespoons of mayonnaise.

Healthy Harvest Turkey Lasagna and Baked French Bread

May 22, 2017 at 4:59 PM | Posted in Jennie-O Turkey Products, Lasagna, Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta | Leave a comment
Tags: Baking, Cooking, Dinner, Food, Healthy Harvest Turkey Lasagna, Jennie - O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast, Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Cheese, recipes, Ricotta Cheese, Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Grain Lasagna

Today’s Menu: Healthy Harvest Turkey Lasagna and Baked French Bread

For Breakfast this morning I fried up a couple of Jennie – O Turkey Breakfast Sausage Links, some Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns, toasted a Healthy Life Whole Grain English Muffin, and had a cup of Bigelow Decaf Green Tea. Partly cloudy and a high of 72 degrees out there today. Right after Breakfast I headed out to Meijer for some items and back home. I had to be at my Oncologist at 10:15 for my 6 month exam. My blood work and exam looked good and I’ll go back in 6 months! Did a few things around the hose and later got the cart out and went around the yard and sprayed for weeds. Took a ride down to the lake and just relaxed. For Dinner tonight I prepared a family favorite, Healthy Harvest Turkey Lasagna and Baked French Bread.

As usual I’m using Jennie – O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast, which I had in the freezer so I sat it in the fridge to thaw overnight. I use the recipe that’s on back of the Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Lasagna Box as a guide. Making changes to some of the ingredients to reduce calories and carbs. I used the following; 1lb Jennie – O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast, 3 cups (26 oz jar) Ragu Pasta Sauce, Sliced Mushrooms (optional), 1 cup Water, 1 3/4 cups (15 oz container) Kroger Part Skim Milk Ricotta Cheese, 2 cups (8 oz) or more Sargento Reduced Fat Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (divided), 1/2 cup grated Kraft Parmesan Cheese, 1/2 cup chopped fresh Parsley, 1/2 tsp Sea Salt, 1/4 tsp ground Black Pepper, and 6 pieces Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Lasagna, uncooked. Cutting calories and carbs by using Jennie – O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast and the Kroger Part Skim Milk Ricotta Cheese, Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta, and Sargento Reduced Fat Shredded Cheese.

Ready for the oven!

Then to prepare it, Heat oven to 350°F. In a skillet, over medium-high heat, brown Turkey; season to taste and drain of excess fat, very little fat to drain. Add the Pasta Sauce and Water; simmer about 10 minutes. Pour about 1 cup Sauce on bottom of a 13×9 foil pan. Arrange 3 UNCOOKED pasta pieces lengthwise over sauce; cover with 1 cup sauce. Spread one-half Ricotta Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese over Sauce. Repeat layers of RONZONI HEALTHY HARVEST LASAGNA, Sauce and Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella. Top with layer of RONZONI HEALTHY HARVEST LASAGNA and remaining Sauce; sprinkle with Mozzarella Cheese. Cover with foil. Bake 45 minutes. Remove foil; bake additional 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

….and done!

The Lasagna comes out perfect, love this recipe! Everything tasted so fresh and as usual the Jennie -O Turkey was the star bringing everything together to make one delicious dish! Plenty of leftovers for another meal or to freeze for later use. I’ve frozen this several times and it always comes out great after reheating. I left the original recipe at the bottom of the post. With just a few changes I saved on calories, carbs, and fat grams. The original recipe is at the end of the post. I also baked a loaf of Pillsbury French Bread. I really don’t need Bread to go with Lasagna but Mom and Dad wanted some though. For dessert later a Weight Watcher’s Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Bar.

Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Grain Lasagna

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
3 cups (26 oz jar) spaghetti sauce
1 small container of baby bella mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 cups water
1 3/4 cups (15 oz container) ricotta or small curd cottage cheese
2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
9 pieces RONZONI HEALTHY HARVEST LASAGNA, uncooked

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. In 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, brown meat; drain. Add spaghetti sauce, mushrooms, and water; simmer about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, one-half mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, salt and pepper. 5. Pour about 1 cup sauce on bottom of 13×9-inch baking dish. Arrange 3 UNCOOKED pasta pieces lengthwise over sauce; cover with 1 cup sauce. Spread one-half cheese filling over sauce. Repeat layers of RONZONI HEALTHY HARVEST LASAGNA, sauce and cheese filling. Top with layer of RONZONI HEALTHY HARVEST LASAGNA and remaining sauce; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil. Bake 45 minutes. Remove foil; bake additional 10 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 277.3
Total Fat: 9.7 g
Cholesterol: 75.8 mg
Sodium: 519.1 mg
Total Carbs: 25.1 g
Dietary Fiber: 3.3 g
Protein: 23.9 g

Jennie – O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast
Our leanest ground turkey, all natural, 99 percent fat-free with no gluten.
Product Features:
99% fat-free
Gluten Free
All Natural
The Biggest Loser® Product
20-oz (1.25 lbs) or 40-oz package (2.5 lbs)

Cooking Instructions:
STOVETOP METHOD:
* Spray skillet with nonstick cooking spray.
* Preheat skillet over medium-high heat.
* Add ground turkey to hot skillet.
* Stir to crumble, approximately 14 to 16 minutes.
* Always cook to well-done, 165°F. as measured by a meat thermometer.

Nutritional Information
Serving Size 112 g Total Carbohydrates 0 g
Calories 120 Dietary Fiber 0 g
Calories From Fat 15 Sugars 0 g
Total Fat 1.5 g Protein 26 g
Saturated Fat .5 g Vitamin A 0%
Trans Fat .0 g Vitamin C 0%
Cholesterol 55 mg Iron 4%
Sodium 70 mg Calcium 0%

http://www.jennieo.com/products/3-Extra-Lean-Ground-Turkey-Breast

One of America’s Favorites – Barbecue Sandwich

May 22, 2017 at 5:22 AM | Posted in One of America's Favorites | Leave a comment
Tags: Baking, Barbecue Sandwich, BBQ, BBQ Sauce, Beef, Cooking, Food, Grilling, One of America's Favorites, Pork, Pulled pork, recipes

A barbecue sandwich served with pickled cucumber

A barbecue sandwich is a sandwich that is typically prepared with barbecued meats. Several types of meats are used to prepare barbecue sandwiches. Some varieties use cooked meats that are not barbecued, but include barbecue sauce. Many variations, including regional variations, exist, along with diverse types of cooking styles, preparations and ingredients.

A plethora of meats and preparation styles for barbecue sandwiches exist. Meats may be sliced, chopped or pulled, and various types are used, such as pork, pulled pork, pork shoulder, beef, beef brisket, chicken, sausage, pork ribs and turkey. Some versions use slow-smoked meats. Barbecue sandwiches typically have barbecue sauce included in their preparation, either when the meat is cooked, as a sauce within a sandwich, or both. Some meats may be seasoned with a spice rub. Some barbecue sandwiches may use cooked meats that are not barbecued, but include a barbecue sauce. Coleslaw is sometimes served with barbecue

A pulled pork barbecue sandwich

sandwiches, either on the sandwich itself or as a side dish. Sometimes sautéed vegetables such as onion and garlic are also used. Some versions prepared with beef brisket include both lean and fatty portions from the cut of beef to enhance their flavor. Pre-packaged barbecue sandwiches are also manufactured.

Breads used in the preparation of barbecue sandwiches include white bread, hamburger buns, whole wheat bread and even rye bread. The bread can help to prevent the meat from drying and to retain its temperature.

Regional variations

Missouri – Kansas City-style barbecue refers to the specific regional barbecue style of slowly smoked meat that first started from the pit of Henry Perry in the early 1900s in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City barbecue is slow-smoked over a variety of woods and then covered with a thick tomato- and molasses-based sauce.

North Carolina – Chopped pork barbecue sandwiches with coleslaw served on the sandwich are common in North Carolina. The term “barbecue” in North Carolina commonly refers specifically to barbecued, chopped pork, whereas other barbecued foods are often referred to by their actual food name.

Tennessee – Chopped pork shoulder barbecue sandwiches served with coleslaw atop them are common in Memphis, Tennessee. For example, Leonard Heuberger, who in 1922 founded a barbecue restaurant in Memphis named Leonard’s, has been reputed there as being the inventor of the “classic Memphis pork barbecue sandwich”. This sandwich was prepared on a bun with chopped or pulled pork shoulder meat, a tomato-based sauce, an

A barbecue sandwich, served with a side of smoked beans

d coleslaw. In the book Southern Food: At Home, on the Road, in History, it is stated that other restaurants “followed suit” regarding this sandwich style, and that “…the standard has not changed in more than 60 years.” At the Memphis restaurant chain Tops, pork shoulder sandwiches are described in this book as a “mainstay” that have existed as such since 1952, when the first Tops restaurant opened.

Texas – Texas Barbecue is a traditional style of preparing meat unique to the cuisine of Texas. It is one of the many different varieties of barbecue found around the world. Texas barbecue traditions can be divided into four general styles: East Texas, Central Texas, South Texas, and West Texas. The Central and East Texas varieties are generally the most well-known.
Generally speaking, the different Texas barbecue styles are distinguished as follows:
* East Texas style: The meat is slowly cooked to the point that it is “falling off the bone.” It is typically cooked over hickory wood and marinated in a sweet, tomato-based sauce.
* Central Texas style: The meat is rubbed with spices and cooked over indirect heat from pecan or oak wood.
* West Texas style: The meat is cooked over direct heat from mesquite wood.
* South Texas style: Features thick, molasses-like sauces that keep the meat very moist.

“Meatless Monday” Recipe of the Week – Blue Cheese and Portobello Mushroom Ragout

May 22, 2017 at 5:19 AM | Posted in CooksRecipes, Meatless Monday | Leave a comment
Tags: Asparagus, Blue Cheese and Portobello Mushroom Ragout, Cooking, CooksRecipes, Food, Meatless Monday, Mushrooms, recipes, Squash, Vegetarian

This week’s “Meatless Monday” Recipe of the Week is a Blue Cheese and Portobello Mushroom Ragout. Mushrooms and Blue Cheese, what a great pairing! The recipe is from the CooksRecipes website which has a large selection of recipes of all cuisines. Enjoy and Eat Healthy! http://www.cooksrecipes.com/index.html

Blue Cheese and Portobello Mushroom Ragout

A savory mixture of sautéed shallots and sliced portobello mushrooms served over a bed of roasted vegetables and topped with crumbled blue cheese.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 teaspoons butter
3 shallots finely chopped
1/4 cup dry sherry (optional)
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried fennel
Dash of ground white pepper
1 cup (1 large) portobello mushroom, thinly sliced
1/4 to1/2 cup (1 to 2 ounces) blue cheese
2 cups grilled or roasted harvest vegetables* (red peppers, squash, asparagus, etc.)
Pasta (optional)
Freshly chopped parsley (optional)

Cooking Directions:

1 – Add butter to 12-inch non-stick skillet. Sauté shallots over low heat until transparent, approximately 10 to15 minutes.
2 – Add sherry, broth, salt, fennel and pepper. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
3 – Add mushrooms. Cook until liquid is absorbed.
4 – Remove pan from heat. Crumble blue cheese over mixture and lightly toss.
5 – Spread mixture over vegetables with or without pasta. Garnish dish with chopped parsley, if desired.
Makes 2 servings.
http://www.cooksrecipes.com/mless/blue_cheese_and_portobello_mushroom_ragout_recipe.html

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

May 22, 2017 at 5:18 AM | Posted in Kitchen Hints | Leave a comment
Tags: Baking, Cooking, Cooking Tips, Food, Fruit, Grilling, Kitchen Hints, recipes, Vegetables

Freezing Fruit………

To keep delicate fruits or vegetable pieces separate while frozen, open freeze them on a cookie sheet until firm, then pack them into containers or freezer bags for storing.