What can you freeze? ALMOST EVERYTHING!
Freeze leftover pesto or tomato purée in ice-cube trays. Once frozen, pop the cubes into a freezer bag. 2
To use up any leftover herbs or garlic, slice finely or crush and mix with butter. Using baking parchment, roll into a Christmas cracker-shape and freeze. When you want some herb or garlic butter, you can then just cut off a slice and use from frozen. Or just bag up the garlic or herbs and chuck in the freezer. 3
Berries can be washed and dried
(chop up larger items such as strawberries), then pop on to a lined baking tray and freeze. Once frozen, put in a freezer bag. Use in baking and add to smoothies. 4
If you’re baking and only need the yolks or whites
of your eggs, the other part can be frozen. Whites can be put into ice-cube trays, or frozen flat in freezer bags. For yolks, add a little sugar or salt to stop them going gelatinous and make sure you note on the freezer bag what you’ve added. Whole whisked eggs can also be frozen. 5
Blitz any stale bread into breadcrumbs and freeze. Not got a food processor? Simply toast your bread and allow to cool, then rip into small pieces, pop in a food bag and whack with a rolling pin. Use from frozen for home-made fishcakes, chicken strips, or delicious pasta toppings. 6
Most veg can be frozen and used in cooking later.
Some will need to be blanched before freezing – potatoes, carrots and broccoli – but many, such as spring onions, peppers and spinach, can just be washed, dried and frozen. 7
Freeze leftovers flat in bags rather than tubs so that you can fit more in your freezer. This works well for items such as half tins of coconut milk or passata as they can be defrosted quickly.
‘You can make and keep your own garlic butter’