Let’s play a little game called “What’s Actually in My Freezer?”
This week I committed to not doing a big food shop until I’d used up what was sitting in the bottom drawers of my freezer. You know the bits: the single sausages, the frozen packet of stew from weeks ago, the surprise dumplings you forgot you bought. It turns out, those bits and pieces are the makings of proper meals.
Here are five real meals made from my freezer stash this week:
1. Sausage + Root Veg Tray Bake
One lonely pack of sausages + half a bag of frozen pumpkin and sweet potato = tossed in olive oil and roasted with fresh rosemary from the garden.
📌 Tip: Add tinned chickpeas or a spoon of pesto after roasting for a twist.
2. Dumpling Stir-Fry
Half a bag of veggie dumplings, steamed and tossed with frozen edamame and garden greens over soba noodles.
📌 Tip: Use tamari, garlic, and sesame oil for flavour.
3. Fish Parcels with Frozen Greens
Frozen white fish fillets + handfuls of garden spinach and herbs, wrapped in baking paper and baked until flaky.
📌 Tip: Serve with couscous or mashed root veg for a warm dinner.
4. Leftover Stew + Baked Potatoes
That tub of frozen stew (I think it was lamb?) made a perfect filling over baked spuds.
📌 Tip: Add a scoop of Greek yoghurt or cottage cheese on top.
5. Soup Stretch
Mixed garden veg and stock cubes turned into soup, bulked out with frozen peas and a scoop of cooked lentils I had tucked away.
📌 Tip: Add a squeeze of lemon or spoonful of pesto to brighten it up.
We waste so much by ignoring what’s already in front of us. Before you shop again, challenge yourself to use what’s hiding at the back. Your freezer is probably full of meals waiting to happen.