The all new using what you have from your Freezer, Cupboard or Shed (Barn)

MikeyPGT

Seems like a useful thread on which to ask if anyone has any cunning plans on how to organise a small chest freezer (without a basket)?  I've gone through it and made a list of what ti contains, planned the meals - but now can't find any of the bloody things I need!

Maybe I should just stock up on turnips ...

Cherryfudge

I'd be getting a basket or two - chest freezers are space efficient compared to drawers but you need a flexible back, rigid discipline about putting closure clips on packs of peas and an killer instinct for organisation. (I have a drawer freezer).

Are the turnips to fill the lower half so you can reach the things you really want?

I had a look (in the hope of being at least a bit helpful) and I think the baskets sold for freezers are a bit dear for what they are. However, they are probably more robust than cardboard. I also saw that since my chest-freezer-owning days, freezer dividers have become a thing, then the baskets can fit across the top.

Could colour coding be a solution? Even if if's just having different coloured writing on the packages - say red for meat, green for veg, black for fruit, blue for batch cooked meals or ready meals. 

I also googled out of interest and 'how to organise a chest freezer' is has some ideas.

Cherryfudge

P.S. If you freeze home cooked foods, I found it was useful to save rectangular packaging like margarine tubs which are about a 1 portion size and which fit/stack much better than circular containers. Even if you are feeding an army, single portion sizes are more versatile and thaw faster.

carinjo

A useful idea i saw is using empty ice cream or large tupperware and stack ziplock bags upright. Write the content above the seal so easy to flip throughlike old index cards.
I agree with the single portion freezing, or at least divide portions in large bags/tubs if that is all you have. 
And mark it down as you use it. 
I have 2 freezers, a small front door open in the shed and small one attavhed to the fridge. I will periodically move things from shed to kitchen when i do get around to meal planning.

Cherryfudge

MikeyPGT said:

Maybe I should just stock up on turnips ...

I only discovered this is a news story after replying to you! Nowt wrong wi' turnips (though if you live in this part of the world that seems to include swedes). A Scottish friend made us a Burns Night super complete with turnips and they were absolutely delicious.

Cherryfudge

carinjo said:

A useful idea i saw is using empty ice cream or large tupperware and stack ziplock bags upright. Write the content above the seal so easy to flip throughlike old index cards.

Why has that never occurred to me? After about 30 years of fighting various freezers, I've finally got into the habit of labelling bags before I fill them (soup is not easy to write on, is it?) - but writing above the seal is more likely to be found and legible if the bag folds itself up while freezing.

cornishchick

Cherryfudge said:

carinjo said:

A useful idea i saw is using empty ice cream or large tupperware and stack ziplock bags upright. Write the content above the seal so easy to flip throughlike old index cards.

Why has that never occurred to me? After about 30 years of fighting various freezers, I've finally got into the habit of labelling bags before I fill them (soup is not easy to write on, is it?) - but writing above the seal is more likely to be found and legible if the bag folds itself up while freezing.

I also freeze liquid type items in  bags flat of baking trays . 
Or open freeze on the same trays.
Just frozen some reduced chorizo in small pieces. Ready to place a handful along with some frozen onion and peas with rice to make a fuss free risotto

carinjo

I'm on a serious mission to get the freezer emptier before the next growing season starts. 
Out freezer: last of previous year cherry tomatoes all blitzed into beef osso bucco (what an indulgence, but so lovely), brown lentils with leftovers next day, same with bunch frozen chard, also from last year still. Today seafood mix.
Cupboard: tin mushrooms with leftovers. last of the potatoes! This year's are chitting already, so peeled and boiled the lot to be used in everything.
I am off next week so planning a sort out incl donating some things from when i double bought sugar and yeast etc. My sister does a lot of baking, so she'll get first dibs. 

Cherryfudge

Your meals sound very tasty, @carinjo. I've realised that my 'emergency provisions' cupboard is as full as it's going to get which in most ways is a good position to be in but not when I want fresh foods and am stuck at home with Covid! The freezer does have some good stuff in though. I'm slowly getting through pots of frozen humus with carrot dips.

In the fridge there's quite a lot of homemade yogurt which would normally be in work lunches. I have a recipe for yogurt muffins to try, which might use up some dried fruit too.

carinjo

Oh no, that's horrible @Cherryfudge, hope you get better soon. Know your freezer's are full, but the yoghurt can be used for traybakes or loaves and be frozen. I done a yummy lemon drizzle loaf before and lasts ages in freezer.