Freezer Advice

FusionFury

Hi all,

I live on my own and recently just purchased a freezer as before I had a mini one which I couldn't fit much inside and was purchasing alot of fresh food which was going out of date too quickly so I've decided to just purchase the "essential" fresh stuff like Milk etc and eat out of the freezer and tins as they last much longer.

I just wondered what sort of things I should "stock up" on that could last me a few weeks to a month? so I don't have to keep going shopping.

I've got a few packets of Chicken Fillets (for Stir Fry's, sweet and sour chicken, Fajitas etc), a few packets of Pork chops, mince (for Spag Bol), a packet of chips (do I need a few bags?), ice cream, fish etc

Any help would be useful.

Take care :T

bramble1

I would portion things up before freezing so when you defrost you only defrost what you need for 1 meal and not have lots left over.

becky170

I live by myself as well. I find it quite handy having a loaf of sliced bread in the freezer and then I just get however many slices I need out at a time. Like branble1 said, freeze things like sausages and chicken breasts in 1 meal portions.....and anything you batch cook like spag bol. I also have wraps, naan bread, garlic bread and stuff like that frozen and I just get out what I need out for 1 meal. Frozen soft fruit is also good for puds. And it you want some more dessert things I find that frozen apple strudels are ok for one as they usually come in two halves and then I cook one half and eat it over two days.

FusionFury

Thanks

Would I still need to buy things to make a meal? would that be more expensive?

DCFC79

A bag of wedges if you like them unless you wanted to make your own as a healthy option, frozen peppers for pasta sauce unless you buy a few fresh ones and use half of 1 then freeze the rest. Oh dont forget to split pack of meat into 2 or 3 or even 4 and put into a freezable container.

Rainy-Days

We have a big freezer in our garage and we are in and out of there allot as our kitchen has one of those larder integrated fridges.

It's just the two of us but here goes:-

We have garlic bread in there.
Part baked rolls for soups.
Meat - with your meat you may want to freeze in portions especially things like mince, buy a standard amount 500g and cut it in half when you get home and freeze it. Bacon, chicken roast joints, sausages as so on.
Fish mainly boxed which I get from Iceland as theirs is the best I have come across. If I see whole salmon on offer I buy that and then fillet it and put it into joints when I get home. Any reduced fish as well, such as smoked haddock or cod as I use those in fish pies.
Frozen chips
Frozen vegetables, either bought or blanched from your own garden and then frozen
We always have two loaves of bread.
Ice Cream, cornettos and lollies
Soreen - OH loves this so when it is on BOGOF I get four in and freeze the other three.
Blackberries in bags from the hedgerows and there will be allot about this year.
Some shop bought desserts such as apple pie and strudels.
You can freeze semi skimmed milk. I get one in on standby around November time just in case the weather turns bad then I get it out and defrost on the side for about six hours (4 pint)
I also put flour in there as well. I came across some plain flour once that was crawling with flour mites, it made me feel sick and luckily it was in a sealed jar. So now I freeze it and I take out what I want which is mainly for soups, batters and thickening. I don't use allot so this way keeps it safe.
I have naan breads in there and those fahita wraps.
I have baked two cakes before and frozen one which has been fine. It was a victoria sponge, and then when defrosted I just put the jam and cream in the middle and dusted it off with icing sugar - again no problem.
Covent Garden soup freezes no problem if you see that reduced.

I think overall if you see things reduced and you can freeze it, it such a boon and there is no time pressure to use it. I really don't think I could do without mine. If it came down to the TV and the freezer, the TV would have to go - thats how vital it is to us especially living in a village! Hope this is of some help.