The more hectic life gets with work, friends, and family, the more grateful I am that freezers were invented. A well-stocked freezer full of fruits, vegetables, and homemade meals has enabled me to eat better and not spend money on takeout. The downside of a lot of frozen foods, however, is that they usually need to be thawed in order to cook or reheat well. But did you know there are still plenty of foods out there that you can cook straight from the freezer, no thawing necessary?

Wontons are one of my ultimate comfort foods. A steaming bowl of broth filled with meaty wontons fits the bill every time I want a satisfying soup for dinner. Folding wontons may look complicated, but they’re actually quite easy. All you have to do is fold the filled wrapper in half to form a triangle, then bring the bottom corners together to finish the fold. You can also use this activity as a fun group gathering if you can recruit some extra hands to make the folding go faster.

The results presented a wide array of textures and flavors.

A succulent ham is one of the reigning centerpieces of holiday feasts, and rightly so. It’s an easy main dish with virtually no cooking required, and it serves a crowd. But since there is nearly no cooking (depending on the type you buy), all the work of a ham lies in the choosing. How do you decide what kind of ham to get? Where do you buy it from, and what should you look for? Read on — we have the answers! Ham comes from the back leg of the animal.