freezing past

[southportram]

I enjoy cooking food from fresh, however, i dont always get time to do it for lunch as i work full time (evening meals are not a problem!!) I also have very limited appliances at work, (a michrowave and a fridge!!) , so on my days off i like to cook food that can be frozen and defrosted the day before i need, it but that can be easily heated in a microwave or stored in a fridge!! I have been doing things like soup and chilli (for potatoes) but i was wondering if i made a pasta salad, would i be able to freeze it and defrost it alright? it wont be getting cooked again, i would eat it cold?!? anyone know if it will be ok? also, does anyone have any other ideas to vary my diet a bit?

[beejaybee]

I often freeze pasta if I`ve made too much. To reheat it, all I do is pour boiling water over it. I found it goes hard in the micro.

[n00dles]

Hi spr

Don't know about the pasta Q will leave that to someone that does! (The shops all sell fresh pasta dishes that can be frozen - as well as the ones in the freezer dept).

My 1000 Freezer Recipe book, does not appear to list any pasta dishes........[see above]

But, Shepherd's Pie + Cottage Pie, (admitted you won't get the top browned in micro - unless you take your blow torch with you!),

Vol-au-Vents (add your own delights seafood/chicken/tuna)

Curries and stews/casseroles

All the above can be frozen till required....

If you want me to send any freezable and microwaveable down the line (of your fav foods) please let me know, will be happy to help?

[nickmo]

Cook it, freeze it and eat it - pasta can actually absorb more flavour from a sauce if left to cool then freeze. Defrost and eat cold is fine ,but may be quite'chewy'.

Options - use couscous as a base for a flavoured salad mix, make up an atipasti and get a really nice crusty bread to have with it.

Make up some chunky soups - veg with pasta sort of minestrone style or with loads of good beans in it - or have a nice chilled soup for a change like a gazpacho, or chilled pea soup with a swirl of good olive oil.

Have some smoked mackerel (not the nasty yellow dyed ones though - keep it plain) with rice thats cooked in stock and some saffron or tumeric. Add chopped hard boiled egg and, voila - instant kedgeree.

make your own 'Luncahables - at least you'll know whats in them - get some nice on the bone ham, some crunchy gherkins, mature cheddar and some crispbreads - and snack away to your hearts - and bellys - content.

Potato salad is nice and easy - make some up and have with a chive dressing.

Chicken wings, or home made chicken dippers with a mango chutney and some rice is easy to do as well.

Rice is good to freeze, but make sure you always throughly reheat for at least 3 mins if you use the m/wave so it is piping hot.

Make up some fillings for pitta breads as well - you can vary the contents and take along what you fancy for the day.

Hope these help.