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I have just discovered frozen onions

(89 Posts)
kittylester Thu 20-Sept-18 16:05:24

and mushrooms, shallots, peppers and all sorts of other things.

According to DD3 'most people' use them.

They seem like cheating to me but I am making a vast chili and the weekend and thought I'd try them out.

Anyone else use them? I am just behind the times?

Chewbacca Thu 20-Sept-18 20:01:16

Never tried frozen onions but think I'll give them a go now. I've had frozenmushrooms and they're fine for adding to casseroles but not much else. Good standby for emergencies though. My favourite frozen veg is frozen spinach. It's frozen into lumps, so you can just defrost however many lumps you need for that meal. No waste at all.

SueDonim Thu 20-Sept-18 20:06:31

I thought frozen avocados were pretty dire. I ended up throwing away the remaining pack. sad

I like to have frozen broad and endamame beans in the freezer and also runner beans, if I see them.

phoenix Thu 20-Sept-18 21:12:14

Juliette fancy you remembering that!

It was actually "the Swede that wouldn't die" We booked for what seemed like forever, but it would not succumb to the masher. It was then given several blasts in the microwave, but still resisted!

We are having beef on Sunday, and do like Swede with it, I may be perusing the frozen veg section wink

A recommendation here, Lidl do bags of frozen cauliflower cheese florets, they are very good, particularly if you just want a small amount as a side dish.

lemongrove Thu 20-Sept-18 21:24:46

I use frozen chopped onions quite a bit, they are very good, but frozen leeks, not so good IMHO.

Blue45Sapphire Fri 21-Sept-18 08:57:17

Have never tried frozen onions but am tempted to give them a try now. I use the minced ginger in a jar, keeps for ages in the fridge, even after opening.

Grannynise Fri 21-Sept-18 09:06:29

Frozen soffrito (or maybe sofritto) is a really speedy way to start off a soup, risotto or similar. It's the classic mixture of carrot, celery and onion. If you don't have freezer space for separate bags of frozen vegetables it's ideal.

Willow10 Fri 21-Sept-18 10:22:46

As a single vegetarian, frozen veg of any sort saves a lot of waste. Fresh, always available and you only use as much as you need. I hate chopping onions anyway!

humptydumpty Fri 21-Sept-18 10:33:53

Why cheating to use frozen prepared veg?? - unless you're on Come Dine with Me!

muffinthemoo Fri 21-Sept-18 10:49:39

Grannynise i also am a huge fan: saves so much time and effort if making up an emergency pasta dish!!

humptydumpty Fri 21-Sept-18 10:51:18

Ooh Grannynise that veg mix sounds ideal for making DDs bolognaise sauce - where do you get it?

Dolcelatte Fri 21-Sept-18 11:00:37

Frozen onions and garlic are a useful standby, but don’t have the same flavour as fresh, in my opinion. But I do use Soffrito, frozen or fresh (from Waitrose/Ocado) which is a brilliant short cut for spaghetti bolognaise or soup.

Dolcelatte Fri 21-Sept-18 11:03:28

Sorry granny wise, I see you have already suggested this!

Blinko Fri 21-Sept-18 11:06:05

Nfk, the avocados are sliced, so I guess you can use them immediately say for guacamole, or mashed on toast... Must admit, I haven't tried any yet though.

granfromafar Fri 21-Sept-18 11:08:09

Like Suedonim, was very disappointed with frozen avocado- yes they do go soggy and completely tasteless. Might give frozen onion a try with so many people saying they are good. Still need a fresh red onion for cheese and onion sanddwich though!

GrammaH Fri 21-Sept-18 11:12:49

I only tend to use frozen peas as we have a large veg garden & things like onions store very well. If we run out, I buy a large net of onions for a couple of pounds & they store well in a cool place. I can see the advantage of frozen ones though and I do use a lot. Frozen peas are superb so there's no point freezing home grown ones as you always miss that perfect moment that Birds Eye or whoever capture so well.

Kerenhappuch Fri 21-Sept-18 11:15:13

I'm a big fan of frozen onions for emergencies. But I've had very mixed experiences with frozen peppers Every pack I've had includes some 'stalky' bits which aren't very pleasant to find in your mouth.

Aepgirl Fri 21-Sept-18 11:27:52

I watched a programme recently where a chef cooked a whole meal using frozen items. I had no idea most were available, as I always cook 'from fresh'. However, I am going to give some a try.

HunnyBunny Fri 21-Sept-18 11:32:14

I have been using frozen onions for many years now. Also find frozen peas and sweet corn handy as well. I can rustle up a risotto in no time with all these!
Green beans and frozen mash are also a staple in my freezer.
I also use frozen coriander. It’s good that that you can just use a bit and pop it back in the freezer.

The not so good frozen veg,for me,is carrots. I find they go a bit rubbery when cooked and I have yet to find a frozen roast potato that is anything like a home cooked one.

mamamags Fri 21-Sept-18 11:37:18

I was given this tip on peeling onions years ago when I was the general dogsbody working in school kitchens .

Always start preparation at the pointy end and never ever remove the hairy end of the onion as this is where all the problems starts

EmilyHarburn Fri 21-Sept-18 11:37:27

I use frozen garlic cloves and frozen grated ginger bought at my local Indian shop. Saves a lot of hassle.

Harris27 Fri 21-Sept-18 11:41:03

Think there great for busy working gran like me use peppers and peas and onions.

Franbern Fri 21-Sept-18 11:52:55

Cooking just for one (me), I am a great fan of frozen veg. I used to buy fresh, but by the end of the week, they were not...and much had to be discarded, which I disliked the waste. Use an electric steamer for cooking the veg, and with frozen ones, I can easily have 3 or 4 different ones with each meal. I have been told that because the veg are frozen immediately after picking, they are actually better than fresh ones which may be a few days old when purchased

DorisD Fri 21-Sept-18 11:59:30

I used to use and love the small whole white frozen baby 'silverskin' onions but cannot find them anywhere now, only sliced onions. Lovely in casseroles.

GrandmasueUK Fri 21-Sept-18 12:00:31

I love the frozen onions and shallots. Tried the avocado but found it just tasted of lemons, which I don't like. Frozen potatoes and spinach are great standbys. I like the lazygarlic in oil (which I keep in the fridge) more than the frozen one. I did make the mistake of using the same spoon for stirring my coffee that I had used for the garlic (should have moved it off the counter) - garlic flavoured coffee is not recommended!

mabon1 Fri 21-Sept-18 12:03:38

I too discovered them about 18 months ago, great, no waste,
also mushrooms. I cook everything from scratch and have found these a boon.