Do you freeze meals, casseroles, meat pies , whatever?!
what is your best , and will you share it with me
what pitfalls do I watch for
Thanks, going to get bulk and want to freeze a bunch!Www@FoodAQ@Com
what pitfalls do I watch for
Thanks, going to get bulk and want to freeze a bunch!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
Out of 10 lbs of chopped beef, I freeze 3 meatloafs, about 60 meatballs, hamburgs already formed, and say, 5 quarts of chile!.
Out of 4 chicken fryers, I slow roast them, strip when cool, and bag 4 breasts, and the rest in pieces that I use for stir fry, soup, chicken salad, and all the broth that came from the roaster!.
I also buy vegetables in bulk and make the mixed veggies that I enjoy!. They all freeze quite nicely and I don't have to pick out those nasty carrots!. I always make extra mashed potatoes and freeze the leftovers (don't use milk, as that makes the potatoes watery when thawed!.
That's about it for now, if I think of anything else, I'll add it later!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Out of 4 chicken fryers, I slow roast them, strip when cool, and bag 4 breasts, and the rest in pieces that I use for stir fry, soup, chicken salad, and all the broth that came from the roaster!.
I also buy vegetables in bulk and make the mixed veggies that I enjoy!. They all freeze quite nicely and I don't have to pick out those nasty carrots!. I always make extra mashed potatoes and freeze the leftovers (don't use milk, as that makes the potatoes watery when thawed!.
That's about it for now, if I think of anything else, I'll add it later!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Yes, I do freeze meals!.
Use good quality air-tight freezer containers (cheaper plastic will become brittle in the fridge and lets in other flavours)!.
Let the food cool completely before putting the lid on (if you don't the heat can start bacteria growning)
Label your foods with the type of food (for identification) but also the date!.
Don't bother keeping frozen food for more than about 3 months - it will taste of nothing but freezer and is supposedly not good for you!.
Certain types of food don't freeze well, especially foods that have a certain consistency (eg souffle) but casseroles are generally OK!.
I don't like freezing fish dishes, because I think frozen fish taste bad but also because of freezer smells!. Cooked frozen fish also tends to completely lose texture when you defrost it!.
Defrost in the fridge, some things don't de-frost well in the microwave!. If you do use the microwave, don't set it on high, or you will cook and toughen the meat!. It's better to defrost in short spurts!.
If you're freezing pasta meals, make sure you freeze the pasta and sauce separately, as they tend to defrost at different rates and will go really disgustingly soggy on defrosting!.
If you want a pasta meal that's like store bought: make a sauce separately and freeze, then cut into small cubes when frozen!. Blanch vegetables, separately then freeze separately!. Cook pasta until just underdone and freeze separately!. Then mix your various ingredients in portion sizes and store in freezer bags or containers!. Cook and eat like other frozen pasta meals!.
Good luck,
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Use good quality air-tight freezer containers (cheaper plastic will become brittle in the fridge and lets in other flavours)!.
Let the food cool completely before putting the lid on (if you don't the heat can start bacteria growning)
Label your foods with the type of food (for identification) but also the date!.
Don't bother keeping frozen food for more than about 3 months - it will taste of nothing but freezer and is supposedly not good for you!.
Certain types of food don't freeze well, especially foods that have a certain consistency (eg souffle) but casseroles are generally OK!.
I don't like freezing fish dishes, because I think frozen fish taste bad but also because of freezer smells!. Cooked frozen fish also tends to completely lose texture when you defrost it!.
Defrost in the fridge, some things don't de-frost well in the microwave!. If you do use the microwave, don't set it on high, or you will cook and toughen the meat!. It's better to defrost in short spurts!.
If you're freezing pasta meals, make sure you freeze the pasta and sauce separately, as they tend to defrost at different rates and will go really disgustingly soggy on defrosting!.
If you want a pasta meal that's like store bought: make a sauce separately and freeze, then cut into small cubes when frozen!. Blanch vegetables, separately then freeze separately!. Cook pasta until just underdone and freeze separately!. Then mix your various ingredients in portion sizes and store in freezer bags or containers!. Cook and eat like other frozen pasta meals!.
Good luck,
Www@FoodAQ@Com
I often freeze left overs!.
Avoid making a huge amount of the same thing as you will get sick of it!.
If I am doing a casserole with the intention of freezing 3 and eating one I will cook the main batch plain but nice!.
I will then freeze the rest, but when I reheat them I can add to them, curry, chilli, tomato sauce or whatever!.
Soups are the ones I do most often!.
I have containers of different depths but the same size (great for stacking)!. One is two servings, the other single!.
Sometimes I will freeze Item separately, so if I want some cooked mashed potato I can grab that, or as in last night's case I took out some cooked sausages (cut into chunks) and added them to my curry sauce!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Avoid making a huge amount of the same thing as you will get sick of it!.
If I am doing a casserole with the intention of freezing 3 and eating one I will cook the main batch plain but nice!.
I will then freeze the rest, but when I reheat them I can add to them, curry, chilli, tomato sauce or whatever!.
Soups are the ones I do most often!.
I have containers of different depths but the same size (great for stacking)!. One is two servings, the other single!.
Sometimes I will freeze Item separately, so if I want some cooked mashed potato I can grab that, or as in last night's case I took out some cooked sausages (cut into chunks) and added them to my curry sauce!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
A freezer runs more efficiently if it's full, so you might as well pack it with food!. Here's a list of things that don't freeze well-
http://www!.stretcher!.com/stories/03/03oc!.!.!.
Things that do freeze well: soups, chili, bread, assembled casseroles, meatballs, refried beans, spaghetti sauce, home-made pot pies, some fresh fruits!.
http://www!.stretcher!.com/stories/04/04ju!.!.!.
Google "once a month cooking" or "freezer meals" for more ideas and tips!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
http://www!.stretcher!.com/stories/03/03oc!.!.!.
Things that do freeze well: soups, chili, bread, assembled casseroles, meatballs, refried beans, spaghetti sauce, home-made pot pies, some fresh fruits!.
http://www!.stretcher!.com/stories/04/04ju!.!.!.
Google "once a month cooking" or "freezer meals" for more ideas and tips!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
Yes I do, I make alot of chili, especially in the winter and I freeze it since I am living on my own now, I also freeze my homemade lasagnaWww@FoodAQ@Com