Freezing Your Favorites

Ice. Cold, hard, unforgiving ice. In a matter of a few days , Athens has been hit hard with the slick stuff, making it difficult to leave the house without having an almost embarrassing wipeout on the way to class.

So in the spirit of the cold weather, I decided to do a post about foods that make great freezer meals for college students. Making food ahead of time and putting it in the freezer is a fantastic way to eat something homemade when you’re in a rush. While there are a variety of dishes that do well frozen, it’s important to keep in mind that most college students have small refrigerators. In my house, making room for all of our weekly groceries is a big enough challenge. With space being an issue, I freeze items that can shape to the space I have available.

So stick to sauces and soups. My two favorite freezer picks are vodka sauce and chili. The vodka sauce is something everyone in your house will want to try. At first, they may be a little confused by the concept. “You’re making what with what?” But once they taste the creamy tomato and fresh garlic chased by a hint of vodka, they’ll be happy you doubled the recipe so you have more for later in the quarter.

When shopping for your ingredients, there are a few things you can leave out and substitute. The recipe I use is Rachel Ray’s, which calls for shallots and fresh basil leaves. I like to use both because this sauce is my favorite. But because shallots are not cheap, my mom uses onions instead. The basil is a tasty touch to top off the dish, but that can be expensive as well, and it also should not be added to the bag of sauce you plan on freezing.

Saturdays in many college houses are usually fairly lazy days. Chili is a great Saturday afternoon meal because it’s something everyone can relax around the TV and enjoy. Pair it with tortilla chips and cheese to make a great game-day snack. I have found that people are particular about their chili and should find a recipe that works best for them. Some like it a little hotter, while others enjoy a milder flavor. Whichever recipe you choose, remember that you can always spice it up after you defrost it.

So while most in Athens are slipping up on the icy conditions, use it to your advantage to make youself a satisfying meal that will keep you warm all quarter long.