Frozen mixed veg - what was I thinking?

[Lordfrontpaw]

So we picked up a bag of mixed frozen veg yesterday and I put it in the fridge as we were going to steam them to have with dinner last night. We changed plans so I decided to make a veg lasagne with it today.

I’ve made the red bit of the lasagne (with onions, tomatoes, the mixed veg and herbs). It doesn’t smell nice at all - just like a tin of tomatoes - I can’t smell anything else at all. It smells pretty awful actually.

I’m not sure if I need to add something, just make the lasagne as usual and hope for the best or throw it out.

Any ideas?

[FusionChefGeoff]

Frozen veg is watery nothing most of the time I'm afraid so it's not going to work very well in a lasagne plus the texture will be odd. I'd normally use something with a bit of ooomph so squash / aubergine / mushrooms.

Can you just blitz it and use it as a pasta sauce / base for soup / risotto?

[Lordfrontpaw]

I think you’re right. I was hoping you wouldn’t be! This is what happens when I listen to DH (who never cooks!). I think I will zizz it up and freeze it for pasta sauce base and pizza topping!

[iklboo]

They're best cooked directly from frozen. If you thaw them out and leave them to 'sit' they seem to go a bit bland & whiffy.

[OwlBasket]

Long slow cooking will really really help - over a low heat on the hob or in the oven at 120. Add teaspoon of cocoa powder or chocolate too.

[Lordfrontpaw]

You aren’t wrong there! They were expensive (from a wanky organic shop that I have to queue for ages to get through the door) soon was be buggered if I was going to let them go to waste!

[Lordfrontpaw]

Chocolate you say?

[iklboo]

Chocolate or a sprinkle of cinnamon in a lasagne sauce is lovely.

[NeedToKnow101]

They're alright in egg fried rice, would barely cook them first though.

[Lordfrontpaw]

Bad idea... I’m almost glad that some shops are starting to say ‘one shopper per household’. I really fancied lasagne too!

[Blingismything]

Red wine, an oxo, shake of Worcestershire sauce.

[Blingismything]

For the meaty part of the lasagne.

[Lordfrontpaw]

I’m veggie! I can’t believe I did that. I’ve never made anything so awful that I couldn’t eat it myself 😢🤨😆

[Lordfrontpaw]

Ok reporting back. So I made up the lasagnes with a very cheesy cheese sauce and breadcrumbs on the top - and they were actually ok - not brilliant but what isn’t improved with the addition of cheese sauce (or pastry for that matter).

So not a complete flop but I wouldn’t repeat the exercise unless desperate!