Cooking for the Freezer..

emlou2009

i freeze anything i've got left over - i tend to cook stuff using jars for 4 people (too lazy to cook from scratch ) and then put a food bag inside a cup with the edges rolled over the sides of the cup and spoon it in, then the top of the bag is clean and easy to tie up!

if you're thinking that being a man he would like to use less washing up, poundland sell foil takeaway style containers that you can put meals in and he can then cook it in the oven without having to use and wash up a saucepan!

Holliek8

Hi everyone!

I am going away for work in a few weeks and want to make some home cooked meals to freeze for my boyfriend to eat while I'm gone - otherwise he will spend a fortune on takeaways! Does anyone have any good ideas for meals that freeze well?

Also a few other Qs:

Are there any foods that do not freeze well - I heard potatoes?
Is it tastier to reheat once thawed or straight from frozen? Covered/uncovered?
Any specific ones that incorporate the veg as I know he won't be bothered to cook any himself?

Thank you all suggestions will be of help!!

By the way I need suggestions with oven reheating not microwave as I do not have one!

Thank you!

Holliek8

Hi zippy chick

Thank you for the offer of your book help! Maybe you could look for the following?

Lasagne - would I cook this as normal i.e. with all sauce and cheese, leave to cool then freeze, or without the cheese and he add this when reheating?

Casserole/stew - I normally put potatoes in this but have heard potatoes do not taste good after freezing so should I omit?

Pies - could I cook the filling as normal, put in a pie dish and cool, cover with uncooked pastry and freeze or would this not work? Maybe the filling would heat up in the oven and the pastry still be raw when he reheats?

Any other suggestions for chicken/other meats as he may get bored of just beef and mince (the staples of most meals good for freezing!)

Thank you!

Olliebeak

How about some minced beef (or minced pork/turkey) cooked up with onions and then turned into chilli, spag bol, cottage/shepherds pie. Those can be frozen in single portions so that he only has to do some rice/pasta/potatoes.

I know that some people part cook roast potatoes and then freeze so they only need to be finished off in the oven when needed. Also the same with potato wedges.

I would also make up lots of mashed potato and divide up into single portions (can use plastic takeaway/margarine containers for this).

Has he ever done packs of savoury rice or pasta and sauce? Good for emergencies with some chopped and cooked meat/sausages added to them.

Holliek8

Good Idea with the bagged rice - hadnt thought of that one! Thank you!

zippychick

Holliek8 wrote: »

Hi zippy chick

Thank you for the offer of your book help! Maybe you could look for the following?

Lasagne - would I cook this as normal i.e. with all sauce and cheese, leave to cool then freeze, or without the cheese and he add this when reheating?!

Here is a thread about freezing Lasagne . I would make as normal and freeze without cheese )although you could freeze with cheese on). Hubby lifts out the night before to put in fridge. Next day, cook slowly in oven.:D

Holliek8 wrote: »

Casserole/stew - I normally put potatoes in this but have heard potatoes do not taste good after freezing so should I omit?

Nah! I make irish stew a lot which is heavily potato based. I made it all the time. Lovely

Holliek8 wrote: »

Pies - could I cook the filling as normal, put in a pie dish and cool, cover with uncooked pastry and freeze or would this not work? Maybe the filling would heat up in the oven and the pastry still be raw when he reheats?

Nope, make up the pie ready to cook, cover and freeze. it would need a quick glaze before cooking. Thread about chicken pies , how to make and freeze . You can freeze it cookd of course, but I wouldn't personally.

Holliek8 wrote: »

Any other suggestions for chicken/other meats as he may get bored of just beef and mince (the staples of most meals good for freezing!)

I would try Lamb tagine, sausage casserole, chicken curry, lentil soup, fish pie, lentil curry, home made samosas, chicken tikka, home made pizza reay to defrost and cook, veggie freezer recipes , chicken and vegetable broth, HM sausage rolls. It this enough?! ! ! Again we can find you recipes on OS (this thread should be moved soon, don't worry about putting anothr up, or email a BG to move it)

Holliek8 wrote: »

Thank you!

Youre welcome, and ive not even consulted the book yet Keep asking! I like this!

MrsTinks

I'll move your thread over to the Old Style board I'm sure the good peeps there will be able to help you

Holliek8

hello again dippy chick! Thank you so much you are so helpful! :j

Those are some really good ideas, I will definately try them. A general question - with things with sauces eg, pasta and sauce, should I put more sauce in than usual as I have heard that because it is essentially cooked twice it can be dry when reheated?

Thanks!

LilacPixie

i cook and freeze, bolognese, chili, lasagne,spanish chicken, chiken curry, tomato and chorizo sauce all except the lasagne can be reheated in a pot on the hob.

I defrost before using so i take the bag out the night before

zippychick

Holliek8 wrote: »

hello again dippy chick! Thank you so much you are so helpful! :j

Those are some really good ideas, I will definately try them. A general question - with things with sauces eg, pasta and sauce, should I put more sauce in than usual as I have heard that because it is essentially cooked twice it can be dry when reheated?

Thanks!

I am Dippy, but there is already a Dippychick :rotfl:;)

Maybe add a little more - it certainly won't do any harm, but isn't necessary really. If it is cooked slowly on a low heat, you shouldn't lose a lot of liquid. Maybe do a test run to do to your own taste?

Anymore, just ask. This is now in OS, so there are plenty others with ideas I am sure :beer: