Frozen meals get a bad rap at times, but their convenience has never been more clear than during the recent heatwaves, saving many from toiling over a hot stove in the sweltering sun. Reasons to have them stocked in the freezer may differ from household to household but there’s no denying they’re a handy mealtime saviour when in a pinch.
The market has been flooded in recent years with fancy premium products making a tempting substitute when the cupboards are bare. Choices cover dietary needs such as vegan, low sodium, gluten-free, and more, but the biggest complaint they might receive is that they taste too bland. Luckily, there is one easy way to fix this for those who do not possess the most advanced culinary skills but want to add some extra oomph to their dinner.
In fact, there are simple additions to give added flavour and texture to frozen dinners to take them to the next level. Food blog Tasting Table advises people to sprinkle cheese on top of their frozen food to make it instantly better.
Does your meal already have cheese in it? No problem, supplement it with a cheese that’s already in there.
Tasting Table suggests: “When in doubt, supplement with a cheese that’s in your dish. If your dish has goat cheese, that’s an easy addition, as opposed to using some other cheese.
“You could mix and match queso, but this is purely up to your taste preferences and can also vary based on the ingredients in your dish. Sharp cheddar cheese can pair nicely with pepperoni or ham, or mozzarella often pairs up with tomatoes, like you’d find in a Caprese casserole.”
Sharp cheddar cheese goes perfectly with frozen meals with pepperoni or ham while mozzarella famously pairs up with tomatoes in many recipes.
Garnishing meals with a dusting of Parmesan just before serving can make all the difference, too.
From frozen pizzas to pasta dishes and meals with fresh veg, such as cauliflower or broccoli, most feasts can be improved with an array of cheese from ricotta to the humble, and cheap, cheese slice.
So, the next time you need a quick culinary win at dinnertime, make sure your fridge is stocked with plenty of cheese to add the flavour and texture needed to elevate your frozen meals.