The freezer is the unsung hero in your kitchen. Sure, it's not the most glamorous of kitchen appliances - not as snazzy as an upright mixer, and not as aromatic as a coffee maker - but it can save your sanity on those nights when you have no answer to your family's question: "What's for dinner?"

When you're relaxing by the lake you don't want to stress about last-minute meal plans. Thankfully, with a few new habits and a little advance preparation, meals can be ready to go whenever you need them - just reach into the freezer.

Meals-to-Go

While it sounds like lingo from a fast food joint, meals-to-go are frozen home-cooked meals that are ready to heat and serve. sounds good, right? But, how can you accomplish this?

Some people take one or two days a month to cook dozens of meals to fill their freezer. This method is appropriately called once-a-month cooking. You can accomplish similar results with less work by simply preparing twice as much food whenever you cook a freezer-friendly meal. It takes very little effort to make twice as much stew, soup, casserole, or other one-pot meals.

For example, when you make homemade spaghetti sauce, make twice as much as usual and freeze half. Voila - you have one meal within the next month that will only require reheating and boiling some pasta. The same is true for homemade stews, soups, or casseroles. By doubling up, and freezing one half of those meals, you have a quick and easy dinner at your fingertips in the freezer. Have a goal to make double portions twice every week, and your freezer will quickly grow with meal options for those nights when you don't have time to cook.

Freezer Essentials

In addition to frozen home-cooked meals, every freezer should also be well stocked with some basic essentials. These can be used together with your frozen meals, or used in other recipes. Having these ingredients on hand means you can whip up a delicious and nutritious meal quickly and easily, without an extra trip to the supermarket.

Essentials:

• Your family's favorite cuts of chicken, meats, and fish (Tofu and TVP also freeze well for the vegetarians in your family)
  
• Frozen vegetables and vegetable mixes
  
• Frozen fruits
  
• Ice cream or frozen yogurt
  
• Frozen bread dough (to make breads, breadsticks, pizza dough, rolls, sweet rolls, etc.)
  
• Frozen juices (for use in beverages, baking and certain main dish recipes)
  

Freezing Tips

1. Freezer bags or plastic storage containers keep your frozen foods and meals in the best condition. Ensure the seals on bags or containers are tight, to prevent spoilage.
   
2. Label each baggie or container with the contents. You don't want to have to guess what it is later on!
   
3. Use up older food first. You'll know this by always marking the date on any food you add to your freezer. This prevents waste.
   
4. Most food can be safely frozen for three to six months. If you haven't used it by then, it's best to throw it away.
   
5. When reheating frozen meals, use plastic containers made for use in the microwave. The meals can also be reheated on low on the stovetop or in the oven.
   
6. Keep a list of freezer contents to refer to when you want to make a meal from the freezer. Add to the list when you add new food, and mark off what you've used.
   

These essentials work well together or along with your meals-to-go. For instance - you can use two essentials - say sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts, and a package of frozen veggies, together with a few seasonings, to create a fast stir-fry. Just boil up some rice, and the meal is complete.

DINNER TIME!

Now, how do you use your well-stocked freezer to put a meal together? simply take out one or more components right from the freezer. some ideas are:

• Frozen pasta sauce, warmed and served over pasta, or tossed together with pasta and baked as a casserole in the oven. Grate a little cheese over the top.
  
• Reheat a stew or soup, and serve with fresh rolls and a green salad. reheating can be done on low heat on the stove, or just pop the contents of the stew or soup right into a crockpot, and let it simmer slowly for hours.
  
• A casserole reheated is delicious served with steamed veggies.
  
• Chili can be served as is, or try spooning it into tortilla shells with sour cream, grated cheese, and salsa for an alternative burrito.
  

By making extra meal portions, and stocking your freezer with handy essentials, you'll find your freezer becomes your best friend at mealtime! You'll have extra meals ready whenever you need them. Use these handy tips to take the terror out of that dreaded question: What's for dinner?