I got the idea to make freezer fairy soup, from somewhere in internet-land many years ago - I'm thinking from my Flylady days. I just thought I would pass along the tip as it is a perfect way to make a frugal, healthy, and fantastic dinner. I always freeze the bits and bobs of leftover food - veggies that didn't get finished, ends of roasts, and small amounts of rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. Then when I decide to make freezer fairy soup, which I do every week or so in the winter, they form the basis for the soup (although I only put either rice or pasta into the soup, not both).
My secret weapon to make the freezer fairy soup extra thick, extra nutritious, and extra yummy is a mixture of lentils, split peas, and barley.
I cook a large pot of these, mixed in about equal quantities, for approximately 45-50 minutes.
Since I cook a large pot full, I only need to do this once or twice a winter. Once the mixture is cooked I freeze them in small containers ( anything from a 1/4 cup to 1 cup in size).
Then when I make my freezer fairy soup, I plop a frozen lump into the soup and when it defrosts it thickens and yummifies the soup.
I also add any old veggies from the fridge, some meat and seasonings and you have dinner. You will be thanking the freezer fairy for not only the wonderful soup, but also the clean fridge. Bon Appetit!!!
Linked to Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
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This is SUCH a great idea! What an economic and yummy way to clear out the fridge!
ReplyDeleteI love the photography! What a great idea and I love how quick and tasty the dish looks. I'd try it! Plus I love lentils. Thanks! Kaleidoscope.
ReplyDeleteNice to have you drop by, Sarah and Kaleidoscope. I'm glad you like the soup ideas.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this - I love lentil soup and haven't had it in ages! Way to be prepared with the freezer dishes too!
ReplyDeletethis is a great idea! I really need to do this soon, thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I need recipes for quick suppers, as we head to basketball four nights a week. This will stand me in good staid!
ReplyDeleteMy husband eats beans or soup every day, and we both them to be homemade as often as possible (cost, nutrition and taste.) I make soups using the lentils and split peas but what a great idea to make a large batch and freeze them. I'll be sure to try this.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the freezer fairy is going to be visiting quite a few houses in the near future. She's going to be busy.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first introduced the freezer fairy soup idea to my family the kids were quite small. My youngest William, one day, told me that the freezer fairy had a pattern - one time she made good soup and then next time bad soup. I guess you win some and you lose some.
Pardon my ignorance, but I've never cooked lentils like this before. How much water do you add to cook them?
ReplyDeleteShelleyB, I don't measure the water - I just fill the pot with the lentils, split peas, and barley and then add water so it is several inches over the top of the grains. You don't need to be exact because you just ladle them out when they are cooked and the water drains off. The lentils, split peas, and barley all swell a lot when they are cooking so I sometimes even have to add more water part way through.
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