Stay chilled this holiday season
Stay cool and stress-free this holiday season by making the most of your freezer. With all the prezzie shopping and Christmas parties filling up your schedule, these four savvy food prep hacks will help you save time, money, and reduce waste.
Fill your freezer with quick food options
Take some of the heat off by filling your freezer with ready meals, easy-to-cook basics, and fruit and veg. Not only are these options often cheaper than fresh ones, but they also won't go off, so you can keep them long after Christmas. Load up on healthier foods like fish, frozen rice, and frozen chopped peppers to balance out the indulgence.
Bag a bargain
Save even more cash by keeping an eye out for yellow sticker items or other great deals at the shops and pop them in your freezer. Stock up on Christmas grub or items that will come in handy for unexpected guests. Don't forget to make space for your usual meals too, like reduced chicken, meatballs, or pizza.
Lots of leftovers
According to freezer expert Kate Hall, you can buy ready prepared frozen food like roast potatoes, parsnips, and stuffing. While this may not be cheaper than cooking from scratch, you can use what you need and save the rest, reducing waste. Don't forget to grab some frozen peas, as supermarkets' own brands offer great value.
Ice and easy
Prepare a significant portion of your Christmas meal in advance and freeze it for the big day. Part-boil potatoes, cool them, and freeze them flat on baking trays. Transfer them to freezer bags for storage. When you're ready to cook, heat a baking tray with oil or goose fat and cook the potatoes from frozen, giving them an extra ten minutes in the oven. This method also works for other root veg like carrots and parsnips. You can even make and freeze gravy and stuffing, and have frozen breadcrumbs ready for bread sauce and toppings, as well as cranberries for a festive sauce.
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