Frank Sinatra said it best: It’s that time of year when the world falls in love, every song you hear seems to say Merry Christmas.  Each December we find our busy days filled with shopping, decorating, traveling, and so much more.  It’s getting chilly out there and everyone seems to have a cold!  More than ever, we need hot, healthy meals in a hurry.  Folks, it’s time to make your freezer your friend.

Most of us don’t make the most of our freezers.  We stuff our poor freezers to their limit with old fruits and veggies from the days of yore, old and rejected pizzas/dinners, and 2-year old freezer-burned meats.  Most of that stuff isn’t even edible!  And perhaps your freezer is a bad influence for you- its chilled and delectable contents often calling your name, tempting you to dive into your stash of Bluebell Ice Cream.  However, with a little time and preparation, you can transform your freezer from your frenemy into your friend.

Freezer meals are a great way to plan meals ahead of time so you can defrost and reheat dinner in a pinch.   I know what you’re thinking- “Homemade frozen meals? Yuck!”  Let me assure you that most foods can be frozen with little to no loss of taste and texture.  Many are even improved— curries, soups, and stews develop an even richer and more complex flavor by freezing before eating.  While you might already think to freeze lasagna, there are lots of other healthy recipes that freeze well, including soups, casseroles, quiches and burgers.

Setting aside just a couple hours can ensure that your freezer will supply you with quick, delicious, healthy meals for a whole week!   Instead of buying a store-bought frozen dinner, which is often loaded with salt and other additives, consider these simple tips for making your own freezer meals:

1. Label EVERYTHING! Using a permanent marker, date and label every item you prepare.
2. Double the Recipe: If you’re more of a “pace yourself” kind of person, this may be the easiest way to accumulate freezer meals. When you make dinner for your family, simply double the amount. Save half the meal in a Ziploc bag (soups and sauces) or glass dish (casseroles and pastas) and freeze it for later!
3. Don’t Grocery Shop and Mass Cook on the Same Day: I don’t know about you, but by the time I have gone to the grocery store, loaded my bags into the car, hauled them into the house and put everything away, the LAST thing I feel like doing is cooking for 3 hours!  If you choose to spend a couple hours to make a bunch of freezer meals, do yourself a favor and split up your shopping day and cooking day.
4. Obey the “6-Month” Rule: Eat all freezer meals within 6 months to ensure the highest quality and taste!

Not only is the freezer a great place to store frozen food and ready meals, it can also save you money by allowing you to take advantage of sales, special offers and leftovers.  Used properly, your freezer will save you time and money.  Clear out the old ice-infested tubs of ice cream and make way for nutritious and delicious dinners.

To celebrate the season properly,  am sharing with you a truly indulgent and seasonal treat, Peppermint Bark.  P.S. I love to store mine in the freezer.

Peppermint Bark

By Jan Tilley

40 mins

Serves 18

INGREDIENTS

• 16 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 4 ounces white chocolate
• 4 candy canes, crushed

Nutrition Information 160 calories, 13 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 5 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 3 g protein

1. Line a cookie sheet with non-stick parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt bittersweet chocolate on high, stirring every 20 seconds, until smooth (about 90 seconds).Spread onto prepared pan.

2. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, repeat the melting process for the white chocolate, stirring every 20 seconds, until smooth. Drop small spoonfuls onto the bittersweet chocolate. Using a skewer, swirl the white chocolate through the dark.

3. Allow the chocolate to rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate with candy canes. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Break into pieces before serving.