Fruits, vegetables, nuts or meat: there are some foods that you should always have in stock. You can read here what these are and what you can do with them.
The freezer compartment is the secret treasure trove of your kitchen. Here you will find the forgotten remnants of five months ago and half-eaten sundaes. But it can also be your salvation if you don't have anything left in the cupboard in the evening except a few canned ravioli or if you don't feel like buying rolls from the bakery next door in the morning. You should not do without these six staples in your freezer.
Foods you should always have in the freezer: frozen spinach
Frozen spinach is packaged at the time of peak ripeness, so you have the leafy greens available even out of season. They may not be suitable as a base for a salad, but thawed spinach cooks well. Ideal as a base for various dishes, such as:
Recipe ideas for the morning:
- Spinach smoothie: Add thawed spinach to your favorite smoothie for an extra dose of green veggies. Pair it with fruits like bananas, berries, and oranges for a refreshing and nutrient-dense smoothie.
- Spinach feta omelette: Combine thawed spinach with crumbled feta cheese and beaten eggs. Fry the mixture in a skillet until the omelet is firm. This hearty dish is a tasty way to start the day.
- Spinach quiche muffins: Prepare small spinach quiches in muffin tins. Combine thawed spinach with eggs, milk, cheese and spices. Pour the mixture into the muffin tins and bake until golden brown and firm.
Frozen food should always be in stock. © Andrey Popov/Imago
Recipe ideas for lunch or dinner:
- Spinach and chickpea curry: Heat some oil in a pan, add spices such as cumin, turmeric, ginger and garlic. Add thawed spinach and drained chickpeas. Cook everything together until the spinach is tender and the flavors unite. Serve the curry with rice or naan bread.
- Spin sagna: Use thawed spinach as a filling layer in a classic lasagna. Layer the spinach with lasagna sheets, cheese and a delicious tomato sauce. Bake the lasagna in the oven until golden brown and brown.
Food in the freezer: frozen bananas
Frozen bananas are versatile and can be a delicious addition to many dishes.
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- Smoothies: Frozen bananas are a fantastic base for creamy smoothies. Combine them with other fruits, milk or yogurt to create a delicious and healthy smoothie.
- Nice Cream: Frozen bananas can be made into a healthy and tasty ice cream alternative in a matter of minutes. Simply blend the frozen bananas in a blender until a creamy consistency is obtained. If you like, you can also add other ingredients such as cocoa, peanut butter or berries.
- Banana bread: Use frozen bananas that have been thawed and mashed to bake a juicy and flavorful banana bread. The frozen bananas add a natural sweetness to the bread and provide a soft texture.
- Fruity snacks: Dip frozen bananas in melted chocolate and then let them set. You will get a delicious and refreshing dessert that you can simply take out of the freezer if you are in the mood for something sweet.
- Smoothie bowls: Use frozen bananas as a base for smoothie bowls. Add your favorite fruits and toppings like nuts, shredded coconut, or granola to create a healthy and nutritious meal.
Seeds and nuts in the freezer
Freezing nuts and seeds can actually help extend their shelf life and prevent them from going rancid. Portion the nuts and seeds and measure the desired amount of nuts or seeds. Put them in Ziploc bags or airtight containers. This allows you to take the amount you need without opening the entire package.
Well stored in the freezer: bread
Freezing bread is a great way to keep it fresh for longer and make sure you always have some on hand. Choose breads that freeze well. Whole wheat breads, baguettes, sliced breads and rolls are usually good for freezing.
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Food stock: Fond
Freezing homemade stock is another way to have a flavorful base on hand for soups, sauces, and other dishes. Decide in what quantity you want to use the stock. Pour the cooled stock into airtight containers or ice cube molds. If you need larger quantities, use freezer bags or containers.
Freezing meat
Keeping meat in the freezer is a great way to have a selection of meats available for a longer period of time. Use fresh meat of good quality. Pay attention to the expiration date and choose proper packaging in airtight containers or freezer bags.
According to the Federal Center for Nutrition: Foods that are not suitable for freezing
- boiled eggs become translucent, raw eggs burst in the shell
- raw potatoes turn sweet
- Pudding and dishes made from gelatin become watery
- Macaroons and meringues become tough
- water-rich foods become mushy and lose their consistency
- Dairy products flocculate and become semolina
How long can you freeze food?
Freezing reduces the activity of the food's own enzymes, but only stops completely at -40 °C. Nevertheless, degradation processes can continue very slowly in frozen foods. Fat can become rancid due to atmospheric oxygen. According to the Federal Agency for Nutrition, the following average values apply to the maximum storage period:
- Meat: 3 to 12 months
- Vegetables: 6 to 12 months
- Fruit: 8 to 12 months
- ready-made food: up to three months
This article was created with the help of machines and carefully reviewed by editor Alina Wagner before publication.
