The best kitchen tool you already own

As we settle into 2026, many of us are looking for ways to stay more organized than we were last year. For Alice Taylor, the secret to an stress-free kitchen isn't a high-tech gadget or a trendy air fryer—it’s the freezer. Reported by 1news. 

“I'm a firm believer that the freezer is the most underrated kitchen invention,” Alice says. “It gives me freedom; instead of thinking every night about ‘what on earth am I going to cook’, I use what I've already made and stashed.”

By shifting from daily prep to a "defrost, heat, and eat" mentality, Alice saves both time and money. Here is her guide to making the freezer your best friend this year.

Breakfast and Brunch, Sorted

Alice keeps two staples on hand to conquer the morning rush: banana bread and scrolls.

• Banana Bread: Slice the loaf immediately, wrap each slice in baking paper, and store in a zip-lock bag. A quick microwave session makes for a perfect morning treat.

• Scrolls: These are highly adaptable and freeze beautifully.

Recipe: The Freezer Scrolls That Do Not Judge You

Makes: 8–9 scrolls | Time: ~25 minutes

Ingredients:

• Base: 1¼ cups self-raising flour, ½ cup milk (any type), 1 egg.

• The Mix-In: Choose 2 tbsp diced butter (for sweet) OR ½ to 1½ cups grated cheese (for savoury).

• The Fillings: Anything goes! Pesto and feta, Nutella, Vegemite, jam, or ham and cheese.   

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 220°C and line a baking tray.

2. Mix flour, milk, egg, and your butter or cheese into a rough dough. Add a little extra flour if too sticky.

3. Roll dough into a rectangle on a floured surface. Handle lightly for fluffiness!

4. Spread your filling, roll up from the long side, and cut into 2.5cm slices.

5. Bake for about 13 minutes until golden. Cool for 10 minutes.

6. To eat from frozen: Microwave for 20–30 seconds.

"Fake-aways" to Save Real Cash

To avoid the high cost of weekly takeout, Alice stocks her freezer with "fake-away" staples that are ready when motivation is low.

• Flat-Packed Ragù: Make a massive batch of Bolognese, cool it, and freeze it flat in zip-lock bags. It thaws quickly and is ready for pasta in minutes.

• Juicy Burger Patties: Mix mince with salt, pepper, and a splash of water (to prevent drying out). Shape them between squares of baking paper and freeze flat. You can cook these directly from frozen!

Zero-Waste Flavor

Don't toss your kitchen scraps. Alice suggests keeping a "stock bag" in the freezer for vegetable ends, fruit scraps, and chicken bones. When the bag is full, simply add water and simmer to create a rich, homemade stock. It’s a simple way to use every last bit of your groceries while adding big flavor to your meals.

And the absolute best thing I have discovered in the freezer? Raw cookie dough.

I make a simple cookie dough, roll it into balls and freeze them. Unexpected guests? Instant homemade cookies! Sometimes, when I want a cookie, instead of making a whole tray, I pull out one dough ball and bake it from frozen. A fresh, warm cookie in minutes. Do I often go back and bake two more? Yes I do. But that's beside the point.