5 Things to Keep in the Freezer
My Favourite Freezer Staples
The freezer is such a wonderful invention, I don't know how we ever lived without one! Let me tell you all about some of my favourite ways to use it.
Diced Onions
Onions are the foundation of so many great meals, so it’s no surprise that many of us find ourselves dicing up an onion almost every day. That’s why it’s one of my top favourite things to chop in bulk to have on hand in the freezer. Whenever I find myself with a spare 30 minutes, this is one of those tasks I reach for that I know is going to save me so much time and mess in the future!
If you have a food processor, this is even more time and cost efficient. You can save money by buying the bigger bags of onions and probably manage 2 weeks worth in the same time!
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are another staple I love to keep around but they go bad so quickly in the fridge if I haven’t got a plan for them. For things like bolognese and chilli, I like to keep a stash of diced red peppers in my freezer at all times, and for fajitas and stir fry I like to have a separate bag of sliced peppers in a variety of colours.
Smoothie Mix
Similar to the peppers, it's fresh greens, cucumbers, avocado and all the other goodies I like to have in my smoothies that go to mush more often than I'd like to admit. I like to eat healthy as much as I can, but I'm realistic with myself too! Life gets away from us sometimes, so being prepared with my favourite smoothie ingredients ready to go in the freezer really helps me to keep on top of things, reduce food waste, and save money.
Half a Loaf of Bread
I have lost count of the number of half-loaves or ends of bread that I have wasted in my lifetime…either from overestimating the amount I would need, or leaving it too long between sandwiches! It's one of the great tragedies of my kitchen but I think I've finally put a stop to it.
By keeping an eye on my fresh loaves and stashing away any bread I know we're not going to get to soon in the freezer, not only do I prevent the food waste, but it also means I don't have to run to the shop for a whole new loaf when I only need a few slices.
Pastry
I don't know about you, but I don't think I've ever made a recipe involving pastry where I haven't had either too much or too little pastry. When I make too much, I save the extra in the freezer (well labelled of course!) so that I can pull it out when I'm a little short. If it's a big baking season, then I like to make a double batch and save half every time.
Freezing Tips
These are just a few of my favourites, but I encourage you to take a look at things you like to cook with - you'd be surprised at how many of them can be prepared ahead and frozen for later!
I've found that if you have the time and space, spreading out veggies on a baking tray and freezing them before boxing them up makes life a lot easier if you only want to use a few at a time.
Making sure you're labelling everything with what it is and when you put it in there is super important for food safety, saving waste, and making sure you don't accidentally make a savoury quiche with a sweet pastry! Using a freezer log can also be really useful for keeping track of your stash.
I hope this has been useful to you! If you try any of these tips or have any of your own to share I'd love to hear about it over on Instagram @prepandpages