Stocking a freezer-tips welcomed.

annie-c

If there are just the two of you, then don't forget to re-pack large quantities of meat etc into appropriate sized portions BEFORE freezing... otherwise you'll end up either over-eating or letting things go to waste.

To get the best use out of your freezer, check the instructions for use. For standard freezers (the ones that need defrosting) it can be costly to run them unless they are full - so as your stock is running down it is a good idea to keep the space packed with empty boxes, etc to save fuel costs. For frost free freezers this isn't necessary and they actually work best if a little air is allowed to circulate.

I like to batch cook and freeze my own ready meals - to help I keep a felt tip pen and a sheet of labels handy near the freezer... otherwise, I can find myself having boiled pasta with chilli con carne (which looks so much like bolognese sauce when in a random freezer bag.

Tomato based dishes freeze well: spag bol, tomato sauce, chilli con carne; potato dishes also: shep pie, plain mash, cheesy mash. I also freeze milk, bread, fish, meat and poultry (Asda reduce things to crazy prices at around 7-8pm in the evenings), frozen soft fruit (Tesco do lovely quality stuff in the freezer sectio - take a little at a time out for smoothies, desserts etc. And if you have enough room then you can of course buy/make your own ice cream/ice lollies!

Finally, I have given up on cheap plastic containers that crack easily as they are jolted about in the freezer/kitchen - and have invested in some good quality plastic food storage boxes (ie, when dropped, they bounce and don't crack!) from a proper kitchen shop. I reckon I am saving loads per month when compared to my pre-home cooking days so I thought they were worth the investment....

polly7_2

I lways know when I have purchased cheese from a shop and try to slice it but it crumbles, it is because they have frozen it or kept it too chilled before I bought it. This makes me mad. They should have a sign that reads ' previously frozen'. I like my cheese smooth not crumbly.

V.Lucky

I would recommend a trip to your local Farmfoods or Pound Freeze (now called Cooltrader I think lol) - look for their bargain branded frozen goods. I can usually get 3 big bags full and spend around £15.

You do have to drop on what they have available though. I am lucky as we have a Pound Freeze a couple of minutes walk from where I work.

*flutterby*

I'm soooo jealous... my freezer is jam-packed!

May I suggest a look on the Grabit board under the tesco's misprices - everything will be explained but please ask if things aren't clear