Frozen Treats

There are some things in life that just taste better frozen. Of course this could just be my own humble opinion. I tend to like foods that are either very, very cold or extremely hot. All of these foods taste wonderful just as they are but when frozen, well, give them a try and you'll see why they are on the top of my sweet, treat list.

Grapes.

Any kind of seedless grape makes a great frozen treat. They are sweet, and refreshingly cold on a hot summer day. Frozen grapes are also a nice healthy snack for kids.

Pineapple chunks.

Once again a wonderfully sweet treat anytime at all. Melons, papaya and peaches also make great frozen snacks.

Note:

You can buy huge bags of frozen fruit at Costco. We usually have them three quarters gone while still frozen.

Bananas.

Cut them in half, roll in melted chocolate and then crushed nuts. Or, for a healthier treat just simply freeze, wrap with plastic wrap and enjoy later.

Marshmallows.

I like the small ones best. You can grab a few and go. Big ones are good too. Marshmallows are another food that can be dipped in chocolate and rolled in crushed nuts or coconut for a more decadent treat. Small frozen marshmallows also are good for putting in the kids hot chocolate. They help to cool it down a bit and they don't melt quite so fast.

Cake Squares.

I make a layer cake with marshmallow cream filling. Then I cut the cake into fingers and ice one side, lay them in a plastic container and freeze. Yummy.

Pudding Cups.

These are wonderful frozen. Set out for about five minutes before you eat them. The heat from your hands makes them melt at just the right speed. These are also great to put in the kids lunches. Just remember to seal them in a plastic bag before you pop them into the lunch bags.

Berries of any kind.

Freeze on cookie trays and then pop into plastic bags or containers. You can grab just one or two at a time.

Cream Drops.

This is one of those indulgences that you probably shouldn't tell people you do. Buy a can of real whipped cream. Squirt dollops of cream onto a cookie sheet that has been lined with wax paper. Make them about the size of a Canadian Toonie. Freeze. When you have hot chocolate or need a lift in your coffee or if you just want to pop something rich and creamy into your mouth then these are the thing.

Useful Frozen Goodies

Frozen wine cubes.

Freeze some of your favourite wine. When you have that next glass, pour it over wine "rocks". This works well with any beverage.

Herb Cubes.

Chop your favourite herbs. Put into ice cub trays. Fill half way with water. When you cook you just need to pop a cube into your sauces, stews or soups.

Orange or Apple Juice.

Make ice cubes out of orange and apple juice. These can be added to punches, desserts or a stir fry for an added burst of flavour.

Lime and Lemon Juice.

Ice cubes made of lightly sweetened juice are great to put into frosty glasses of ice water. As they melt they give the water a nice flavour. This also works well with frozen lemonade cubes or frozen iced tea.

Frozen Chicken or Beef Broth.

Great to have on hand for stir frys, steaming, poaching or anything else you need a subtle flavour for.

Frozen Hot Pops.

I use the crock pot a lot and if I'm in a hurry I don't have time to fool around with spices and seasonings. One of my favourite frozen tips are Hot Pops. I put together all the spices and seasonings that I would use to season spaghetti or chilli. I add a bit of tomato juice and freeze it in ice cube trays. When I need to season a pot of chilli or spaghetti I just pop a cube into the pot, stir and forget about it. Each cube has the required seasonings and spice to complete one pot of sauce.

Frozen Veggie Bags.

When I find peppers or tomatoes on sale I buy up a bunch. When I get home I seed the peppers, wash and stem the tomatoes then dice them up. I add a few diced onions to the mix too. They are then packaged into one half cup bags and frozen. When I do spaghetti or chilli, meat loaf , burgers or anything else I need them for, I defrost a bag or two and mix in. Saves a lot of time later on. I do the same thing with mushrooms, celery and other veggies for use in cooking.