A new year, new school term or even just a new week usually heralds a time to get organised, check the school clothes are in order, re-stock the pantry and cook freezer-friendly meals. Bulk cooking meals is a great way to save time during the week – enjoy one meal now and freeze the rest for later. Frozen meals maintain their nutrition and flavour and are a convenient solution for busy individuals and families.
Remember, your freezer is your ally. It’s not just a place for ice cream and frozen peas, make it a treasure trove of freezer friendly meals AKA pre-prepared goodness that make mealtime a breeze.
How to freeze pre-cooked meals
To freeze meals safely, the freezer temperature needs to be at -18°C. Divide meals amongst clean, airtight containers. Freezing in smaller serves, for example, for two people, makes defrosting and then reheating the food faster. Let the food cool completely before sealing and freezing to prevent temperature fluctuations in the freezer that could spoil other items.
How to defrost frozen meals
The best practice for defrosting meals, is to place the frozen meal in the fridge 24 hours before heating. Alternatively it is safe to defrost the food in the microwave using the defrost function, if it is going to be heated and eaten straight after defrosting. Heat isn’t evenly distributed through the food when microwaved so it will need to be stirred several times during the defrosting process.
Easy to prepare and a guaranteed family favourite, these Swedish meatballs with a twist can be delicious on their own, or scale it up and make it a hearty pasta sauce.
These cheesy lentil pies will satisfy your meat-free cravings while packing a flavourful punch. Full of protein and vegetable goodness, they’re also perfect for little hands.
Thai basil, also known as horapa, is available from greengrocers and Asian supermarkets. To freeze; pack into freezerproof containers, leaving a 2.5cm space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan or microwave on medium power (50%) until heated through. Note
Packed full of flavour, this hearty meat dish is delicious served up for the family on a cool Winter’s evening. Tender Italian sausages go beautifully with this flavoursome capsicum ragu, to create a hearty, warming dish.
Conjure images of India with this colourful vegetarian stew. Cooked in paprika, this spicy dish will invigorate the senses from the smokey capsicum to the tiny chickpeas.
From the humble baked bean to the chickpea, legumes contain healthy components linked with protection against diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart problems.
Fragrant, flavoursome and filling, this quick Thai beef green curry is just what you need when you don’t have time to cook. It’s freezer-friendly, too, and can even be transformed into a tasty pot pie. Dig in!
This recipe can be frozen. Just complete the recipe to the end of step 2. Cool to room temperature. Spoon into freezer-proof containers, leaving a 2.5cm space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a saucepan or microwave on medium power (50%) […]