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

Cherryfudge

We've finished up a chicken and a pudding from the weekend, and I single-handedly demolished the last of the the custard tarts. Also discovered we have run out of peas, and I had to put two bananas in the compost as we just can't cope with any more banana bread this week, and there's not enough space to freeze it.

The freezer has been defrosted, thus reducing the risk of drawers icing open in the hot weather. Tomorrow's dinner will probably be leek and potato soup: not traditional hot weather fare but a good counterbalance to all the special meals eaten when we have a guest (last weekend).

kboss2010

@Cherryfudge Leek & potato soup seems to be on every cafe menu lately! 

My OH needed a bit of coriander so naturally he bought a football-sized bag (?!?) - I’m sick of coriander going in the veg drawer to die so I’ve just bagged it up and put it in the freezer to use for curries, naan and whatever else I can think of to put it in. 

Once my freezer is almost empty, I’m going to batch-cook a bunch of meals (3-4 weeks’-worth of dinners) and try to keep a rolling stock of them so we have to cook less and aren’t as tempted by takeaways. 

I also now have heaps of potatoes and sweet potatoes to use up too (b/c OH’s portion sizing estimates are always *ahem* generous 🤣) 

Cherryfudge

I also have frozen coriander, so at some point that needs to be remembered, but there are a couple of supermarket pots now spending the summer in the garden and producing fresh leaves that are an easier option than looking for a flat package under more recent frozen goods. I wonder if there's a way to make coriander cubes similar to frozen spinach cubes?

I'm very impressed with your batch cooking plans. I batch-cook soups but that's it, any other freezer meals are leftovers that get use when there's only one of us in for tea.

rtandon27

@Cherryfudge - we often have extra fresh herbs & freeze them in an ice-cube tray - 1/2 cubes of finely minced herbs topped with 1/2 water, then frozen.  Popped out of the tray and stored in a container or zippy bags.  We toss the cubes into anything cooked, a couple of cubes at a time, great for sauces, stews & gravies - definitely not suitable for garnish, or where you need the freshness & crunchiness of herbs to stand out. 

Another option is fresh herb pesto, made with almonds or cashews & grated cheese for a more budget friendly option to the traditional pinenuts & parmesan.  This can also be frozen in ice-cubes (no water this time) & then transferred into a container or zippy bag.  Great for one-person pasta on days when a emergency meal is needed.  We also bulk cook pasta and freeze it in individual portions, so the whole meal can be zapped in the microwave with minimal effort.

Cherryfudge

Those sound like great ideas, @rtandon27, thanks. I'd not thought of freezing pesto but why not? I made the ground elder pesto with pistachios instead of pine nuts and that worked out well, but I now have enough to feed myself for a couple of weeks, so once I can find ice cube trays again (don't usually use them), I can freeze extra.

The ice cubes would definitely be more space-efficient than the current attempts at flat packs.

rtandon27

@Cherryfudge - just popping back on to say that though not as space efficient, freezing pesto in muffin tins works as well - they stack up to form logs - reminiscent of that lovely caterpiller cake from MrSpensives -

Cherryfudge

rtandon27 said:

@Cherryfudge - just popping back on to say that though not as space efficient, freezing pesto in muffin tins works as well - they stack up to form logs - reminiscent of that lovely caterpiller cake from MrSpensives -

Oh now you have switched my imagination on - could I make ice cubes using lego blocks (large or small version)?! I'm sure they would stick to each other and not be as eye-catching at your pesto caterpillar 'cake', but I could make a castle!

(Cherry goes off to lie down in a darkened room till she is ready to take her housewifely duties seriously again).

rtandon27

Cherryfudge said:

...could I make ice cubes using lego blocks (large or small version)?! I'm sure they would stick to each other and not be as eye-catching at your pesto caterpillar 'cake', but I could make a castle! ...

Not that I'm encouraging you - LOL - but have you seen these???🤣🤣🤣

Cherryfudge

rtandon27 said:

Not that I'm encouraging you - LOL - but have you seen these???🤣🤣🤣

Brilliant!

Frugalistamama

I've gone a bit quiet lately as I had a few mad days over shopping again. Damn. Done another meal plan, I need to get some milk and bread tomorrow but then I'll tell to stay or if the shops again.

So annoyed with myself 😠