Freezing is fun!

For the last few years, I've had a rubbish fridge that kept freezing salad and milk with one of those little freezer compartments that randomly melted things. I kept forgetting to tell my landlady about it but was so glad when I finally remembered and she swiftly got me a new one with an actual freezer bit at the bottom. This may sound very boring if you have never been stuck with a crap fridge but, wow, the revelation!!!! So, I've got a bit obsessed with how I can use this freezer for better cooking and less waste.  Here's what I've re/discovered.

Batches - when I make a big batch of something, I put portions in freezer bags and then put one in the fridge the night before I want to eat it if I know I'm going to be in a rush that night or need something to reheat at work for lunch. No more eating the same thing for days until it's finished. It's sort of like a ready meal but will probably taste much better and will definitely be better for you.

Pizza bases - dinner in 15 mins and a great way to use up ends of things.

Frozen veg - peas are back in my life at last. And having some broccoli is very useful if you don't have any fresh greens and can't be bothered to go to the shop.

Veg scraps - I'm wasting loads less by freezing them for stock.

Bread - if I'm going away for a few days then I put any left over bread or pitta in there and then toast it another day.

Frozen smoothies - in a vague hope that summer is on its way, I made a smoothie then put it into one of those little plastic iced lolly moulds.

Fruit - there are little bags of chopped bananas and some frozen berries (cheaper than fresh but only useful if being mashed) for super fast smoothies.

Veggie sausages - unlike meat ones, they can be cooked from frozen. Great if you get a sudden urge for bangers and mash.

Fish & meat - when you buy fish or meat, you often have more than you need for one meal. And you don't necessarily want to eat it again the next day. I've been cooking one and freezing the other. Fish can be cooked straight from dozen but meat needs to thaw properly in the fridge overnight first.