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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?

GillT57 Fri 21-Sept-18 12:15:09

Agree about the frozen cauliflower cheese too, I don't like it so can easily pop a dish of it in the oven for DH and DS. Frozen carrots, like tinned ones, are vile. I have frozen onions, peas, cauliflower cheese, mushrooms and also the frozen cubes of chopped garlic and chopped chilli.

Saggi Fri 21-Sept-18 12:21:10

I use frozen peppers ...very useful as the fresh tended to get half used then thrown away. Frozen mushrooms are awful and 'oily' when cooked. Never tried frozen onions as I use fresh as I haven't 'suffered' from the tears thing. My mum discovered when I was about 8 that I could cut up onions without feeling the effects of them and after that it became my job.!! Might keep a bag in freezer though and give them a try!

AlisonKF Fri 21-Sept-18 12:29:47

I find chpping onions really painful and often put off cooking any thing requiring them.
Can only find diced frozen onions here. Where can I get sliced ones?
Also, frozen mashed potatoes are marvellous. I am too old to faff about in the kitchen. Even Delia recommended these in one of her books.

Noname Fri 21-Sept-18 12:43:26

I have a fab photo of my colleague recently chopping a large amount of onions wearing the safety goggles! Perhaps we should try the frozen ones?! ?

Dolcelatte Fri 21-Sept-18 12:45:47

Picard are a French make now stocked by Ocado who do up market frozen food, including button onions and good quality peppers.

Purpledaffodil Fri 21-Sept-18 13:02:59

Have never tried frozen onions but may now. I agree with the endorsement of frozen spinach. Sainsburys do a chopped version in small balls. Two or three dropped into homemade vegetable soup in the last five minutes of cooking give a lovely herby look.

Willow10 Fri 21-Sept-18 13:13:29

Must admit I've never tried frozen mash! Is there a preferred brand?

SueDonim Fri 21-Sept-18 13:17:19

Butternut squash is something I keep in the freezer, too. It's not always easy to find, although Aldi is currently stocking it, and it's great to pop into a casserole or curry. I have problems with my hands and preparing butternut squash is literally a pain for me so this is a good way to be able to eat it.

Tolaton21 Fri 21-Sept-18 13:37:08

Love them, quick & easy to use when late in from work . Can make a chilli or Spg Bol in no time. Would be list without them.

Brunette10 Fri 21-Sept-18 13:54:39

Willow10, you can actually make your own boiled potatoes, mash them and freeze them. I do this in the run up to Christmas, it helps a great deal for the rush on Christmas Day cooking.

starbird Fri 21-Sept-18 14:01:34

Iceland also sells the soffrito mix.

Day6 Fri 21-Sept-18 14:06:21

I rarely make mashed potato these days. I jazz up frozen with pepper, maybe cream and chives. Even on it's own it's acceptable with sausages and peas. (Yorkshire pudding and onion gravy too.) Would frozen onions work in the gravy I wonder? hmm I am all for saving time in the kitchen.

No one knows it's frozen potato. Except you Grans. My secret is safe with you, I trust? grin

DorisD Fri 21-Sept-18 14:14:27

Thank you!
Ocado order today!

Fennel Fri 21-Sept-18 14:17:49

Sounds like a good idea.
I wonder if they do peeled small onions, to make pickled onions?
It's the peeling I find difficult.

4allweknow Fri 21-Sept-18 14:29:39

Nandalot, where do you get frozen ginger? I have the same problem buying fresh. I do use frozen onions depending on what I am making. Why can I not find sliced frozen onions, they all seem to come chopped.

123kitty Fri 21-Sept-18 15:17:12

Although I have a freezer full of frozen veg which I love, after reading your posts I'm going to give avocados a miss. Thanks grans

gmelon Fri 21-Sept-18 15:25:21

A friend converted me to frozen mash some years ago.
We used to take it in turns to do a lunchtime meal on Fridays. Just a normal meal.
She did a quick sausage and mash for us. It was lovely. Then she revealed het secret !
The brands are slightly different so personal preference really.
My first try was Iceland as that was where my friend bought hers. Iceland being round the corner from her house.
I'm not a fan of Iceland but I would highly recommend their mash.

gmelon Fri 21-Sept-18 15:25:58

her secret*

Willow10 Fri 21-Sept-18 15:34:51

Thanks gmelon - I'll try it!

kittylester Fri 21-Sept-18 15:36:27

Tesco sell frozen garlic and ginger but I use the ones in jars.

Rosina Fri 21-Sept-18 15:55:02

Frozen onions are wonderful! I don't suffer watering eyes as I wear contact lenses and curiously this seems to stop the fumes affecting me, but since I discovered frozen onions I have always used them. I used to buy the net bags of three large onions, use one, maybe two and invariably throw the other one away. Very wasteful. I also use frozen peppers, and Waitrose chargrilled vegetables which are delicious in all sorts of dishes. Why peel and chop when someone else will do it for you? We have plenty of salads and fresh vegetables with meals, but for dishes that need a selection of vegetables its frozen for me.

GabriellaG Fri 21-Sept-18 16:09:43

The only frozen veg I use are peas.
Tried the chopped frozen onions once and threw the remainder out. Far too watery.

Barmeyoldbat Fri 21-Sept-18 16:56:45

I have been using chopped onions and also chopped garlic for years. I buy them from Waitrose, two packets at a time and keep any unused in the freezer. Love them.

Barmeyoldbat Fri 21-Sept-18 16:58:33

Should have said, also use frozen mash as its so much easier and nicer than mine

muffinthemoo Fri 21-Sept-18 17:15:18

My top freezing tip though is lemon and lime juice. Grab a bundle when on offer or about to go off, and juice them into an ice cube tray and freeze.

Fresh lemon and lime juice for recipes at any time. This has saved many a meal in my house from the Curse of the Forgotten Citrus.