Put your freezer to good use and you can save money and time. Storing your food away in the freezer allows you to simply defrost and reheat or cook what you can’t use at a given moment later, and prevents you from constantly having to pay for fresh food. This is a guide on the best produce that can be safely frozen.
Bananas
Plenty of fruit can be kept in the freezer, which is great for purchasing in bulk when prices are at their lowest. Instead of wasting those ripe bananas, cut them into slices and place flat in a sealed dish. When you’re craving a healthy treat, add a handful to a blender and create an indulgent smoothie or low calorie ice-cream.
Rice
We all make the mistake of cooking far too much rice, but there’s no need for waste. After leaving to cool to room temperature, tip the rice into a sealed proof container. You can then freeze it for up to four weeks. By doing this you can take only what’s needed and quickly heat the food up in the microwave.
Butter
It’s a secret held by many professional cooks — butter is always best frozen. It can easily be grated or cubed to make those crumbly pastries and decadent biscuits. Before freezing, keep in its original wrapper and cover with foil.
Herbs
Having fresh herbs on hand to compliment a culinary feast can be difficult, so why not have an endless supply? Chop your fresh herbs into portions and place on a tray and cover with cellophane. After these have frozen, you can add them to a freezer bag for convenience.
Eggs
If you’re a keen baker, it’s always good to have eggs in the house. The easiest way to freeze is using an ice cube tray, separating the yolk and whites into the containers. When used for baking, always thaw completely before adding to you mixture.
Cheese
With a short expiration date, it’s hard to make your way through an entire block of cheese before it goes bad. Avoid the problem by grating and placing in a freezer bag. Next time you need a small handful for that recipe, just thaw and it’s ready for use.
Wine
Opening a bottle of red can often be a waste, especially if only a small amount is called for. Place leftover wine in an ice cube tray and freeze for your next recipe or create boozy popsicles for a summertime treat.
Following these tips is a great way to save the pennies and you’ll have a never ending supply of cooking essentials. If you’ve yet to invest in a large freezer, use a freezers buying guide online to find the best quality and most affordable models.
Images by khawkins04 , used under Creative Commons license.