Have you ever frozen homemade mashed potatoes? Also, can you eat expired Jell-o?!
As for the Jell-o question... I have a package of pre-made Jello from the refrigerator section and it's past the date. Is there any harm in eating gelatin past a certain time? I hate to throw the package away, but will if there's a chance we'd get sick, but I don't see how you could. Thanks for your answers!
Answers: I have a bunch of potatoes in my pantry due to a store special (buy one get one free) and I was wondering if anyone has ever frozen mashed potatoes for a later date. I'm hoping I can do this and save them for Thanksgiving.
As for the Jell-o question... I have a package of pre-made Jello from the refrigerator section and it's past the date. Is there any harm in eating gelatin past a certain time? I hate to throw the package away, but will if there's a chance we'd get sick, but I don't see how you could. Thanks for your answers!
I always make extra quantity of mashed potatoes so that I can freeze a part of it for later use (it helps me sometime to complete a portion of food for the kids).
I usually place them in small airtight containers suitable for freezing, filling them to the top and crushing the mashed potatoes so that there are not much air spaces in between the borders and the potatoes or spaces in between the mashed potatoes that will later become ice cristals and become water when it defrosts. It is like i "pack" the mashed potatoes to fit in the containers.
I have never kept them longer than one month, coz I always use them. Probably they last longer but i have no idea.
In order to defrost them, I take them some time before using them and leave them to defrost at room temp, or if I am in a hurry I put them in a pan over the flame with some milk and stiring in constantly until warming.
I guess you can do this in the microwave too. Just place it in the microwave to defrost, stiring in from time to time, adding some milk to avoid dehydrating. (remember the microwave heats by heating the fat and water molecules in the food through friction, so it will evaporate most of the moisture from the mashed potatoes so you need to add some milk drops and stir in from time to time)
As for the jello, I dont think there is any problem. It is just jello with food coloring and sugar. The only problem with expiring is that they may get softer and sticky after a certain time after expiring date but no harm.
Take the taters, cook them, mash them, cool them to room temp. Place them on a greased baking sheet one large spoon full at a time. Flaten slightly, and make a thumbprint in the center of each one. Freeze the whole sheet. When frozen solid, pop off each one and store in a zip lock bag.
To prepare, place each one on a greased (buttered) sheet while frozen. Put a pat of butter in each thumb print. Sprinkle with Paprika and bake 25 mins at 350. Serve as is or with a bit of turkey gravy.
The tater thing...yes, it can be frozen .and thawed out later. No probs.
As for the jello.......it is sugar and food coloring. Nothing to expire.....as it is all dry.
The manufacturers got "expiry date crazy" and did everything. Tell me, when does vinegar expire - how do you tell? Or salt - (seeing it has been in the ground for thousands of years)?
You got to use common sense when looking at these packages.
I have never tried to freeze left over mashed potatoes. I like potato pancakes with a dollop of sour cream on top too much!
I can't say if I chose to freeze them I would go through a whole lot of trouble to do it. I would just put it in a freezer safe baggy and seal it so most all of the air is out. But you got to love those potato pancakes!
As for the jello. It is fine.
You got some good answers here.
Have a great day 2Beagles.