By Maryyem

Re: freezer recipes.
19 Jul 2008 12:25

Anyone got good make ahead and freeze recipes? My husband works abroad and I want to prepare meals for him when I go out to visit. Is it safe to freeze cooked rice? I am a little constrained by ingredients as a lot of things are not available and the meat is not great quality. Fish and chicken are plentiful, veg and fruit is excellent and organic. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Replies

By joyp

Re: freezer recipes.
19 Jul 2008 12:35

After 25 years working and living abroad, I share your difficulties entirely! We were usuallly in Africa and other developing countries, where meat quality was fairly tough, but loads of good organic fruit and veg. I used to come home for a couple of months at a time, leaving the freezer full for husband. A good pressure cooker was a must I found, to make the meat palatable. So stews, curries, casseroles, chilli, lasagne etc., all possible once the meat is tenderised. I made loads of ratatouille, veggie curries etc., and stewed fruits, crumbles, pies. Anything easy to heat up! Yes, you can freeze cooked rice, so paella and biryani type dishes ok, as well as plain cooked rice, as long as it is thoroughly reheated. Go out with lots of portion sized plastic boxes and freezer labels. A good plain freezer cookbook is helpful - try the charity shops for M & S freezer cookbook, Good Housekeeping, any reputable book for ideas. Have fun.

By nanny ogg

Re: freezer recipes.
19 Jul 2008 13:14

funnily enough, maryyem, I picked up a m&s freezer book in a charity shop last weekend and it is very good
xx

By Sam, worthing west sussex, uk

Re: freezer recipes.
19 Jul 2008 16:59

Where in the world is your OH working? that might help others to reply, who maybe in that country and they maybe able to recommend a good shop, and what cut of meat is best to use.

My freezer is one of my best friends in my kitchen, only 2 of us, I always cook meals for 4, and freezer 2 portions.

We used to have a lot of chinese take aways and the plastic tubs are soooo handy, just the right size for a portion of whatever, and just wash and re-use them, other than that, most supermarkets and £1 shops sell some kind of plastic re-useable containers, ie, Tub-its. freezer bags are also excellant...but do make sure you write little notes on the containers stating whats in side, I put my tubs inside freezer bags with a post it not inside, and re-use all my bags and containers. I even use coleslaw pots, and cover with double layer of cling film.

You can freezer basically anything, and most things can be re-heated from frozen in zapper or on the hob or in the oven.

Steak Pies, Chicken Pies, Veg Pies, just pop straight in the oven with no need to preheat the oven (cook in pyrex or tin foil containers (bacofoil do them in most supermarkets)

Curries, Stews, cottage pies, ratatouilles, chillie con carne, pasties, rice, mashed potato, you could even blanch and bag up small portions of veg, for popping into a pan of boiling water for 3 mins, roast potatoes, left over roasted meats, packed in leftover gravy, this will help tenderise the meat also. Soups. Lasagna, mac cheese, cauli cheese, spag bol's......need i go on.....

Just ask more specifically for other help, and like i say maybe your OH location could help.

Sam

By Broomstick

Re: freezer recipes.
19 Jul 2008 18:10

I've lived in the MEast, too, Maryyem, and agree with everything joy says. I did quite a lot of cooking myself but like a lot of others out there had access to a cook, and found his dishes good to freeze, which were based on local cooking. You can do lots of things with chicken and ratatouille veg. Makes me nostalgic. Going back in November for a while, as my heart is really out there with the people and the whole way of life. xx

By Maryyem

Re: freezer recipes.
20 Jul 2008 07:05

Thanks everyone, I cook a lot and have done all the usual stuff, soups, casseroles etc. Just thought maybe there was something new out there for my poor hubby. We have been in Yemen for 3 years, due to security issues my daughter and I have been sent home, I am out visiting just now. Usually we buy our meat in Dubai, Paris or Scotland and bring it out in a cool box. The beef out here is not well fed and the meat is never hung so is not great to eat, freezing it does improve it a bit. The sheep and goats eat all the rubbish in the streets so we avoid that!!! Did manage to do a Scottish party for about 36 people (7 different nationalities) cooked on a really poor electric cooker, four rings, one oven!! nightmare, was cooking for about a week and freezing it. We had Scottish smoked salmon, Beef in red wine, neeps and haggis from Dingwall and Orkney!! and sticky toffee pudding. A very merry time was had by all. Our Yemeni friends and gaurds love haggis and want me to bring it everytime I am home!!
Broomstick, where are you going in the ME??

By Broomstick

Re: freezer recipes.
20 Jul 2008 13:07

Cairo, Maryyem - that's where I lived. I love all the Middle East and love the people, and the huge smiles, and the humour - you name it, I love it. It's in my blood and when I get in a plane to go there I feel enormous excitement and a sense of wellbeing at 'going home'. I visited the Gulf States - had to go there sometimes - and even Iran. Did an amazing drive across the desert from Amman - where I'd been for a meeting - to Syria, with a Jordanian driver, who had to dump me just as we got to Damascus as he needed to be back across the border by sunset. But wasn't worried. All things work out - at least, I find that - in the Middle East. First went out 4 yrs after my husband died - and it was the best thing (apart from him and the family) that ever happened to me. My life is always waiting for the next trip out there - whilst I have a great life here with wonderful family and amazing friends. The sand is well and truly between my toes... xxx

By Maryyem

Re: freezer recipes.
20 Jul 2008 15:06

Great to hear your experience of the ME, I have been to Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh, Dubai, Oman, and Doha. Like you I love it out here and am so so sad to be sent home. I can come and visit though. Yemen is an amazing place, very old, some places it's like stepping back in time. I had a fabulous journey from Sana'a to the coast, over mountains and desert, amazing sand dunes. I was medical support but felt like I was on an adventure holiday! Throughout our time in the ME we have always been met with friendship, hospitality and warmth. Not all Arabs are terrorists!!! Thank you for sharing, enjoy your next trip out. x

By Broomstick

Re: freezer recipes.
20 Jul 2008 16:46

I so agree your last but one line! This forum isn't the place, I guess, to talk deeply about that, but I imagine we both would have much to say. Good to meet a
ME soulmate Maryyem! I look f/wd to the Yemen at some stage as I have no doubts that I'll get there. It's all a bit like a magnet. xx

By Sam, worthing west sussex, uk

Re: freezer recipes.
20 Jul 2008 18:15

you see....how fantastic is this web site, bringing people together!

i have enjoyed reading mary and brooms chats...long may a new friendship envolve.

Sammy

By Maryyem

Re: freezer recipes.
21 Jul 2008 07:50

Broomstick and Sammy, you are both absolutely right but perhaps we need to find another site to talk of travel and adventure!!! Any ideas?

By Crafty Cookie

Re: freezer recipes.
21 Jul 2008 15:39

Rice - it harbours bad bugs - don't even think of freezing or storing it. More food poisoning comes from rice than bad meat etc in restaurants and take aways.

Never refreeze anything that has already been frozen before.

Buy a good freezer guide, they are worth their weight in gold. Make sure it has a few recipes in but a good A - Z section of individual food stuffs.

For home freezing the crafty method is to line plastic containers with cling film and then fill with food, lightly cover, freeze and then remove the plastic container. Freezing this way is called brick style and is the most cost effective as a full freezer runs more cheaply than a half filled one and due to the packages all being the safe size you can cram more in.

I always have bologniase, curry, chilli, casseroles, carved meat (in individual slices), cottage pie (without the potato as it goes watery), fish in parsely sauce, sauces (sweet and savoury), vegetables, fruit, cakes, scones, bread in the freezer.