Do not underestimate your freezer. It is for so much more than bags of ice, beer mugs, gobs of discount ice cream and a place to stash the vodka. Your freezer is your secret weapon, and when well-stocked, will save the day. The following is what I keep in my freezer, give or take, this and that, depending on when you check. This is the foundation that will make you a lifetime member of the “from frozen to fabulous in 15 minutes” club. So stock up, save some cash and have dinner in a minute. Ok, minutes. So what are you waiting for? Join the club and see what the point of having a freezer really is – to have what you want, when you want it! And if you really get your act together, there are endless freezer-friendly recipes to keep you cookin’ even when you don’t need to be cookin’. So get cookin’ …
freezer basics
Keeping a few basics in mind when it comes to wrapping food properly for the freezer, it will save you in the end – time, money, your reputation, a lawsuit (just kidding)! Your biggest enemy is freezer burn– and when that sets in, sadly – the quality of the food has been completely and utterly compromised. That’s when I usually turn to my slow cooker to try and breathe back a little love – for me, food waste is right up there with manslaughter when it comes to crimes committed by the human race. So by following a few simple rules, you can make as successful use of your freezer, as you do everything else in your kitchen. Not only is your freezer good for stock piling the raw materials, it is also excellent for putting together a fewfreezer friendly recipes. Whatever you’re cooking, if you’re making a little – make alot, if you’re making 1, make 2 or 3 – you’ve already made a mess, do the math – making 1, you’re never done; making more, you’re out the door. Forgive me, I just made that up.
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
- the freezer pantry
- the ultimate guide to freezing food
- 8 time-saving ideas using your freezer
- tips for using your freezer
- foods that don’t freeze well and foods that do
- freezing food 101
- storage guide for frozen foods
- freezer containers 101
- all about freezing foods
- freezing food guide
- freezer burn & how to prevent it
- the do’s & don’ts of freezing foods
- how to wrap food for freezing
- how to stock a freezer for versatile cooking
- stock your freezer right
- freezing food basics
watch it – class is in session – videos await
- using your freezer 101
- ultimate freezer buying guide
- how to store foods in your freezer
- freezer food basics
- best methods for freezing foods
- how to freeze food properly
- how to defrost foods properly
- freezing food facts
- the right way to defrost
- how to thaw frozen food faster
- freezer tips for pantry items
freezer-friendly recipes
breads & doughs
I would never, ever, ever be caught without phyllo dough in my freezer – ever. If you’ve never had the pleasure of hangin’ with phyllo – let me tell you – it’s a party you don’t want to miss! I feel the same way about wonton wrappers. With these in my back pocket, I can put together something tasty in no time – and so can you1 You can’t use it, if you don’t have it – I’m just sayin’ …
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watch it – class is in session – videos await
ways with freezer dough
fish & seafood
My take on frozen fish & seafood coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
fish
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watch it – class is in session – videos await
seafood
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watch it – class is in session – videos await
fruits & vegetables
My take on frozen fruits & vegetables coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
fruit
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watch it – class is in session – videos await
vegetables
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watch it – class is in session – videos await
meat & poultry
My take on meat & poultry in the freezer coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!
meat
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
- freezing meat 101
- how to wrap meat like a pro
- freezing ground beef
- how to freeze ground beef
- how to freeze ground beef for easy defrosting
- how to defrost ground beef
- freezing pork 101
- how to freeze pork chops
- how to freeze pork tenderloin
- how to thaw a pork tenderloin
- sausage
- bacon
watch it – class is in session – videos await
poultry
read it – get yourself some serious know-how
watch it – class is in session – videos await
sauces & stocks
sauces
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stocks
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sweets etc.
My take on sweets in the freezer coming soon … so in the meantime, feast on what’s already out there!