Attention cooks: beware of the dreaded freezer burn. Keep close track of what you have because you don't want to open up a meal for reheating only to discover that it is inedible.
Anyone who enjoys cooking- and who knows how hard it is to shop every day for fresh meats, seafood and poultry-has frozen food from time to time. It's a good idea to take time weekly just to check out what you have in the freezer, and make a mental note of whether you've frozen whole meals or just pieces of meat. Then you'll have an idea of what you'll need to use immediately or if there's something that needs to be tossed in the garbage.
Food Storage
So, what can you freeze, and what type of storage should it be kept in? Basically, you can freeze anything, like fruits, veggies and entire meals, as well as your standard meats, poultry and seafood. If you buy something already frozen like frozen shrimp or pre-packaged frozen fish, check out the expiration date on it. It'll certainly keep for an extended period of time, but, if the date's up, definitely get rid of it. You can freeze meals and liquids in plastic containers, and that will most likely keep for a few weeks. Just make sure the lid is firmly sealed. You can also freeze foods in plastic wrap and plastic bags that are labeled for the freezer.
Tips
If you want to freeze a hot food item, it's best to wait until it has cooled down to room temperature. When you're freezing something in a plastic freezer bag, be sure to squeeze all of the air out of the bag before sealing. You can also wrap the item in plastic wrap first and then store it in a freezer bag. If you're freezing a liquid item, such as chili, stews or sauces, you'll want to just leave a little room at the top, probably about a half an inch in the plastic container, so the liquid can expand once it's frozen. You may also want to freeze liquid items in individual servings. That way, you won't have to try to break off a smaller portion later.
 | Are you making the most of your freezer? If you don't freeze food regularly, you're probably spending more time and money on meals than you need to. |
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 | Knowing how long you can freeze meat is important for your overall meal planning. The amount of time you can keep meat in the freezer varies based on the meat you choose. But, no matter what, the longer you freeze meat, the more the quality of the meat suffers. |
If you're tired of one bad apple spoiling the whole bushel, consider learning how to freeze apples. That way, you can enjoy the fruit all year long. |
When it comes to learning the ins and outs of how to freeze blueberries, you may be surprised at how easy it is. Simply place the fresh fruit on a pan, pop it into the freezer and you're done. Well, you're almost done. |
