I have also tried boiled eggs ready peeled from Asda because my dog loves a boiled egg as a treat now and again (she doesn't have them regularly) and it was easy just to buy them ready done.
I always have onions (home grown), peppers, garlic and ginger in my freezer because it is so frustrating to find I have run out and they are so convenient.
As I grow a lot of my own fruit and veg the freezers are always well stocked with freezable fruit and veg.
I use the ultimate convenience food - gravy granules. No matter how I try (I have tried many times, followed many recipes) I cannot make good gravy - it is greasy and watery. Better to use an okay convenience gravy than ruin a good meal with an inedible one.
I boil eggs six a time - they keep perfectly well in the fridge for five days in my experience. I have tried to keep them for longer although I am assured they will keep for a week.
Barry you can make some amazing 'cheat' gravy/sauces using gravy granules. Swap out some water for wine, or add some port/ orange juice and redcurrant jelly. I've even added cream to bisto best chicken gravy granules to make a swedish style sauce for meatballs.
APG, I do add mint sauce or redcurrant jelly when we have lamb, I like the idea of the orange juice which should go lovely with duck and game and will certainly try adding wine next time we have beef.
It's pork tonight - maybe add some apple juice?
Yes Barry - I use chicken granules & either apple juice or cider. Also add either fresh sage chopped finely if its in the garden, or a teaspoon or dried sage. If I use apple juice in the gravy I always add a shake of vinegar to bring out the flavour.
“ I've even added cream to bisto best chicken gravy granules to make a swedish style sauce for meatballs.” I could kick myself you not having this idea. Thank you, thank you.
I only have a small undercounter freezer which holds mostly meat, fish and leftovers. But I always have frozen chopped spinach, multiple greens steam bags, and cauli rice that I do from fresh. Also berries and sometimes peppers. A lot of frozen veg don't appeal because of texture changes that I don't like. I'll use jarred antipasto peppers to add zing to sauces.
I'm not a gravy fan, so I've never bought a jar of bisto and it's salty to me. But I'll use cornflour to thicken juices.
I agree about some frozen veg not being appealing -broccoli, cauli and runner beans, for instance,but stuff going into a slow cooker etc you can't tell the difference as they cook right down. For the same reason I don't like frozen stir fry veg.