From Our Kitchen to Yours: Make Frozen Food Fancy

From Our Kitchen to Yours: Make Frozen Food Fancy

If you’re in a rush on a hectic weeknight and don’t have time to make dinner from scratch, a convenient meal from the freezer aisle is a great place to turn. The problem is that frozen food tends to taste bland and uninspiring. Fortunately, with minimal time and effort, you can revamp your store-bought burritos, lasagna, and pizza, making them taste gourmet. Here’s how to dress up frozen foods with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry or refrigerator.

Frozen Burritos

They are a staple for college students, but with a modified cooking method and a few add-ons, frozen burritos make a tasty family meal.

You’ve probably always cooked your frozen burritos in the microwave, but what usually happens? That’s right – an explosion, or at least a leak, and gummy, chewy tortillas. For better results, start off by zapping each burrito for 30 seconds. Then, add them to a skillet coated with non-stick cooking spray, turning often and cooking until the tortillas become slightly crispy and golden brown.

As you serve the burritos to your hungry family, top them with salsa, dried cilantro, and a few squirts of lime juice. Much to your delight, you’ll probably receive requests from your family to serve this frozen food more often.

Frozen Lasagna

Every pasta lover adores lasagna, but the frozen version? Not so much. Fortunately, with the right tips on how to make store-bought lasagna taste better, you might even be able to pass it off as your own.

Break the lasagna out of the thin aluminum baking tray and transfer it to a metal or glass casserole dish for more even cooking. After thawing the lasagna according to the package instructions, cook it about 25 degrees higher than directed. Then, add some fresh sautéed vegetables about three-quarters of the way through. Mushrooms, asparagus, and bell peppers are all tasty ideas. Continue cooking until the sauce bubbles vigorously and the top is golden brown.

When you pull the lasagna out of the oven, top it with dried parsley, garlic powder, and fresh ground pepper (don’t add more salt – frozen food is notorious for having high sodium content). Your family will beg for more!

Frozen Pizza

It’s not delivery – it’s dressed up frozen pizza! Just a few extra toppings can make your discount freezer aisle purchase taste like a fancy, gourmet dinner.

Start with your favorite pizza. Pepperoni, sausage, and supreme already have a few toppings to get you started. While the oven preheats, sprinkle on oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, leftover rotisserie chicken, sliced up deli meat, and a little extra cheese. Cook the pizza as directed on the box.

When the food is finished baking, drizzle it with a little olive oil. You can also serve a shallow dish of olive oil at the table for everyone to dip their crusts in. You’ll feel as though you’re eating a gourmet slice of restaurant-quality pizza for a fraction of the cost.

Make Sure Your Appliances are Up to the Task

What’s more inconvenient than having to scrounge together dinner on a busy weeknight? Discovering that your fridge has stopped working or your oven won’t turn on. Don’t let these scenarios ruin your best-laid plans for dressing up frozen food for a fantastic family feast! Instead, call Mr. Appliance® for fast, reliable appliance repair. We’re there for you when you need us most, so you don’t have to resort to takeout yet again.

To schedule the services you need, please contact Mr. Appliance today.