Frozen Ready Meals

Frozen ready meals are complete dishes cooked in a kitchen and frozen in single or family portions, so they only need reheating. The range runs from chicken and vegetable biryani, dal with rice and paneer curries to Sri Lankan kothu, string hopper and rice and curry meals, alongside a few Western meals such as pasta bakes. Freezing holds the flavour and texture of a freshly cooked curry, which is why many frozen meals taste close to homemade.

Choose by portion and by cuisine. Single trays are made for a working lunch or a student kitchen, while larger packs feed a family alongside some rice or bread. Read the pack for a Halal or vegetarian mark, and look at the spice level if you are serving children. Many meals can go in the microwave, others are best in the oven, so check before you buy if you only have one.

Heat the meal from frozen unless the pack says to thaw it, stirring halfway if you use a microwave, and make sure it is piping hot right through. A fresh tarka of cumin and garlic, a squeeze of lemon or a handful of chopped coriander lifts any reheated curry. Serve with naan or parathas from the same freezer. Keep meals at -18°C and do not refreeze once thawed. For shelf stable meals, see ready meals in the cupboard, and for chips and pizza, frozen chips, pizza and meals.