It happens to all of us, unexpected guests arrive and we often insist that they stay for a meal, whether it’s dinner, lunch or brunch. The only problem is what to make and serve in a hurry? Or there are days when we are not feeling up to cooking for ourselves and yet want a home-cooked meal. How do we keep ourselves prepared for these situations?
It helps to have a few dishes semi-ready that we prepare in advance and keep refrigerated or frozen.
These are some of my suggestions:
- Paneer cubed and lightly fried. You can freeze them for months or refrigerate up to a week.
- Tomato puree. Just boil with light salt, cook until it is pasty and freeze using ice cube trays. This comes in handy for making a gravy based dish.
- Dahi vada can be frozen prior to the soaking step and will keep for a few weeks. When you are ready to serve, defrost just enough vadas and soak in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. Vadas are ready to be used.
- Frozen Muthias are always very handy.
- How about freezing half-fried samosas!
- Cabbage kofta. The kofta itself freezes well and when you are ready to serve, just prepare the gravy and your dish is ready. This is a real treat for any visitor or just for your family at home.
- Many different desserts can be prepared well in advance, such as Gulab Jamuns, Rasgullas, Rasmali, and Burfies. Make sure you are freezing them in small batches.
- For side dishes, cabbage with peas, green beans and peas, paneer tikka masala, and palak paneer are some of the dishes that freeze well. Remember to always freeze in small portions.
Chutneys! I highly recommend having these ready as they come in handy. Preparing the snack becomes so easy, if the chutneys are readily available.
- Hari cilantro chutney can be frozen easily freeze using ice cube trays.
- Tamarind sweet and sour chutney can be refrigerated as it stays well for a few months.
Manjula
Can I freeze store bought paneer?
Judy
How do you thaw frozen kofta so they taste fresh
Angie, transfer the kofte from freezer to refrigerator, few hour before.
can we freeze paneer-aloo koftas oncce fried
Kay, yes
Dear Manjulaji
Very happy to see useful suggestions and wonderful receipes
Thankyou
Hello Manjula Ji,
I am a big fan of your recipes although this is the first time I am putting my thoughts here. I have learned lot of sweets from your blog and was inspired to start my own blog. The tips you give time to time in your blog are highly useful. Looking forward to follow some more sweets from your blog this diwali.
Thanks n Regards
Anju Rathore
Dear manjula Jee,
I am thankful & greatful, for this very useful suggestions.
Regards,
Sunny
Thank u very much for your useful suggestions. How can I proceed in an item 5, freezing half-fried samosas?
Thank u
namaste