in the freezer | Diary of a Crazed Cook

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

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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’ …