Stocking the freezer...

[frida75]

Got a few weeks left yet but remember that after my other 2 dcs births that all the frozen food I'd made beforehand was a godsend. They were both winter babies so I made loads of comfort food like lasagne, shep pie, spag bol etc.

Any one got any more summery suggestions please?

tia

[ecuse]

Risotto, chicken (or whatever) tagine, bean chilli? They're all in my freezer.

[Zimbah]

Turkey (or any other meat) burgers and beanburgers. Am also struggling to think of nice food to have frozen when the weather's warm.

[melliebobs]

i swear by this website www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/ plenty of recipies whatever the occasion. But more specifically i know theres a really goodpring chicken one that i've made before that freezes and recooks really well. Really light too and you can bulk it up with whatever veg you like. Although sugarsnap peas, carrots and asparagus are best. I'll see if i can hunt it down for you

[ecuse]

melliebobs is it this one? Looks yum.

[pinkgirlythoughts]

ok, this might sound daft, but I've never made risotto before- do you freeze it with the rice and everything in it? And the rice tastes ok after it's defrosted? Just looked at a risotto recipe on the website melliebobs linked to and it looks so easy to do, I think I'll make some tonight if it really is that simple!

This is the recipe, if anyone's interested: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2818/ovenbaked-risotto-

[Pootletrinket]

I've done fish pie as well, casseroles, macaroni cheese etc - I know it's all a bit wintery, but figure can be served with 'seasonable' veg or salad!

[melliebobs]

ecuse that's not the one I've made but it still looks yummy. The one I've made is made with creme fraiche so it's really creamy. It's tough filling the freezer cone spring/summer cos everything is always quite stodgy n Winfrey. But stuff I have in all year round are plenty of spag bolls, chilli (always good in a tortilla with salad), homemade curries. Mmmmmmmm

[Pootletrinket]

Someone advised me (haven't because my family won't eat it) ratatouille freezes well; oh and pasta sauces, garlic breads etc

[LadyGoneGaga]

I don't think risotto freezes well at all - or at least the stuff I tried just went to total mush. Maybe you can get it to a certain point and then freeze? and then just finish off later?

Veg soups freeze really well. Chilli, beef stew, Spanish chicken (with chorizo, pepper, olives, chick peas etc), lamb or chicken tagine. Meatballs in tom sauce for with pasta.

[wombatinwaiting]

I am a huuuuuge fan of the bbc good food website too and there is a "freezable" section - see this page - some wintry ones on there, but some other good ones too. I know that recipe melliebobs is talking about too, but can't find it right now... tis seriously yummy.

The risotto suggested by pinkgirlythoughts is also fab and you actually don't need to freeze that one as it really is as quick as it says. Other risotto recipes you can freeze - they don't ever taste quite as good as on the day though.

BBC Good Food also do a monthly magazine, but even better, they also do pocket sized books called "101 Speedy Suppers" or "101 Low fat feasts* which are just as good as the website, if not better.

Do you think I should apply for a job in the BBC Good Food marketing department?!

[wombatinwaiting]

Agghhh - I am so hungry now and just want to eat everything on their website!

[melliebobs]

wombat I love the BBC good food books I got 101 hot n spicy dishes
101 cheap eats
101 cakes n bakes

Hamlin pocket books are good too got 101 slow cooker recipes

Somewhere I read that recipe jokes are a but of a con cos on average when u buy one you only use 2-3 recipes a book but those pocket ones I make a good ten recipes on a regular basis! Lol

[Staceroo]

I think all the stuff mentioned above, even lasagne and chilli etc, can be great in the summer! Just serve with some nice fresh salad, and sit out on the patio!

Great advise about stocking up the freezer, I'm only 10 weeks with my first, but will defo think about that nearer the time!

[JBrd]

Curries freeze very nicely and will certainly be going into my freezer in the next few weeks!

[Pootletrinket]

Just cooking mushroom stroganoff and that smells lovely - rice and salad; could be summery!!!

[frida75]

Wow! Thanks everyone! I'm starving now having read these and looked at the links. BBC good food looks like the place to check out.... Just wish my 2 dc weren't so darn fussy

[Fluter]

Just one thing: be careful about reheating rice. I can't remember why, now, but when I did my food hygiene course, it was touted as being one of the most dangerous foods to reheat... (OK if done properly, though)

My freezer usually has chillies, tomato based dishes with chickpeas or meat of some sort, dhal, casseroles, even frozen carrot & swede mash for those days when I really can't be ar**d. Usually I try and make too much and freeze portion or two. If I can get it into the freezer before OH scoffs double portions, that is....

[Pootletrinket]

Oh yes, I've also made rumbledthumps as well as diff types of mash (mashed potato, swede and chopped cabbage with cheese - yummy!)

[seeksnewnamewithgsoh]

I had a summer baby, and basically lived off spag bol, lasagne (with salad) and pies from the freezer. Ok, some of it is wintery but I was just glad of something going in. I'll probably feel differently next time.

Alternatively, could you make the meat part of tacos/fajitas etc, so you just have to heat up some shells and chuck in a bit of salad?

[8rubberduckies]

I just wanted to resurrect this thread, as there's some great ideas on it, and I am about to start maternity leave [yay!!] so will be getting busy batch cooking next week, but I also wanted to share my tip for frozen risotto. It is never as good defrosted and reheated as mentioned on here previously, but makes great risotto cakes, which you can have with ham if you are a meat-eater, a poached egg and green salad. Just defrost the risotto and form into patties, coat in some flour and pan-fry in a little bit of oil until golden and crispy on the outside, gooey and hot on the inside.

[Darlingdamsel]

Quiches and tarts ... the latter are great warmer uppers when you want a light snack at 2 am.

And soups ....

[apples82]

This is a great thread, i'm going out to buy a freezer (we only have a fridge) specially for the reason of stocking it up before the birth.

Keep the suggestions coming!

[Kat311011]

Soups are always a good, quick food option all year around, easy to make large batches and lovely served with bread or salad. I agree the Good Food website is excellent for recipes, I often use it. Nearly 15 weeks but am planning to freeze meals prior to actually having the baby (which is still a bit hard to get my head around)!!! This will be my 1st baby :)

[Renaissance227]

What are you all storing the frozen stuff in. I only have four tubs! :)
Do you freeze it all in portions too? Not sure whether this would take up too much space. As you can tell I'm a freezing virgin! x

[ninipops]

Renaissance - either buy more tubs - you'll be glad you did! or freeze stuff take it out of the tubs and store in a bag in the freezer then you can reuse the tubs.