Can I freeze eggs? Foodie expert shares how you can save £150 per month freezing 8 things you never knew you could
FOOD shopping can be expensive, but if you are looking to save money you may just wish to turn to your freezer.
Freezer food waste expert Kate Hall revealed eight surprising foods that you can freeze to save you hundreds each month.
Speaking to Fabulous Kate, from @thefullfreezer, said: “Whilst most people associate ‘frozen food’ with shop-bought products or batch-cooked meals, our freezers can actually help us to preserve almost all foods as individual ingredients.
“By doing this we can not only reduce waste but also stretch our food further and enjoy greater variety.
“Imagine being able to just use half that pepper or onion, or getting through that whole bag of potatoes or jar of food without wasting any.
“Well, if you have a freezer, you can.”
Kate shared how the average UK family wastes around £60 worth of perfectly good food every month, and spends an average of £53 per month on takeaway.
She added: “An average family could potentially be saving north of £150 a month by simply eating the food they’ve already.”
Here are the eight foods you may not have released you could freeze…
1. Eggs
If you want your eggs to last longer, you can freeze them, just not in the shells!
They can be frozen as yolks (with a pinch of salt or sugar to stop them from getting too gloopy), as whites, or whisked together.
Freeze them in muffin cases, ice cube trays or flat in a freezer bag in usable portions.
They can later be used for baking, omelettes, frittatas and much more.
2. Frubes
This is such a great hack to avoid waste and give the kids a treat.
I like to freeze them and spread them out on a flat tray so they freeze straight and are easier for the kids to push out.
When they want them, simply snip the top off with scissors and allow them to soften for 2-3 minutes before serving.
3. Cooked Pasta & Rice
If you ever cook too much, simply run your leftovers under the cold tap to cool them quickly, shake off the excess water, then freeze whilst spread out on a lined tray (so it doesn’t all freeze in a solid lump) before moving to a freezer bag.
Both can be reheated quickly in the microwave, just make sure they are piping hot throughout.
4. Pesto
Never waste pesto again… freeze any leftovers in an ice cube tray, then store the cubes in a freezer bag.
They can be thawed in the fridge to use cold or added straight to whatever dish you’re cooking and heat until piping hot.
5. Carrots
The simplest option is to grate them and freeze them whilst spread out on a lined tray so you don’t end up with a solid block.
Once frozen, move your grated carrot to a freezer bag.
You can then add this straight from the freezer to dishes such as bolognese or chilli to bulk them out.
6. Potatoes
Save your potatoes from the bin by making mash and freezing it flat in freezer bags.
It’ll take up minimal space in your freezer and can be reheated straight from frozen in the microwave or in a pan.
Just keep heating and stirring until any excess water has evaporated.
It’s also possible to freeze parboiled roast potatoes, chips and wedges, and fully cooked jacket potatoes, which can all be cooked or reheated from frozen.
7. Cheddar Cheese
Grate your cheese (in a food processor is the quickest way), and freeze on a lined tray before moving it to a freezer bag.
It can then be used straight from the freezer to top lasagne, pasta bakes and much more.
You can also make and freeze cheese sandwiches.
8. Bananas
Peel your bananas and slice them up, then freeze the slices on a lined tray.
Once frozen, store in a freezer bag.
These can be used straight from the freezer in smoothies, or put still frozen into a food processor, and whipped into healthy soft scoop ice cream.
Freezer and food waste expert, Kate Hall, has teamed up with Frubes for its ‘Try Me Frozen’ initiative to encourage parents to freeze their Frubes this summer.