Maximize your dollars by making good use of your freezer. It's amazing how much you can save by freezing on even a small scale. For example? I now buy cheese in bulk at Costco or when I spy a good sale, and I freeze it in small batches. I was surprised to learn that cheese freezes beautifully ... and I now regret years of tossing moldy cheese!
Cheese is actually just one of many foods that freeze surprisingly well. So get creative and start using
your freezer for more than just meats and casseroles! Here's a handy list for you to keep in mind next time you're shopping:
Yes, Freeze Them!
Fresh whipped cream, butter, milk, cheese, root ginger (grate it as you need it), nuts, grated coconut, homemade pancakes, herbs (e.g. fresh rosemary and basil) and spices, meat or vegetable stock, cooked rice, tomato paste, bread dough, pizza dough, cookies, cakes, pies, sauces, Chinese takeout, vodka (and rum and tequila – the alcohol won't freeze, but the cold keeps them chilled).
Eww, Don't Freeze These!
Salad greens, baked potatoes, raw potatoes, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, lettuce, parsley, tomatoes, cream sauces, cream cheese (okay in a casserole), meringue, citrus fruits, mayonnaise (but okay in a casserole), egg whites (they turn rubbery), cream and custard pies, cooked pasta (freeze in a sauce instead), gelatin, fried foods, fruit jelly sandwiches.
Get around the do-no-freeze list by knowing food preparation tricks for each of these food. For example, lightly cooked potatoes freeze well even though raw ones don't. Also, pickled vegetables freeze well, too. For example, picked cabbage and celery would keep well where their fresh cousins would turn to stinky mush after freezing.
Check out the Former Fat Guy Blog for a fantastic overview of how to prep fresh foods for freezing!
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Reader comments (Page 4 of 4)
Can mushrooms be frozen?
ReplyI freeze canteloupe and grapes, they can be eaten like popsicles. Kids love it in the summer.
ReplyI just found this info. by typing in my browser "can fresh mushrooms be frozen" Hope this helps...
ReplyMushrooms can be frozen but they must be cleaned, cooked, and placed in a ½ cup or 1 cup container to freeze. Don't forget to mark the date on the container, frozen mushrooms will last several months.
I freeze baked potatos all of the time. I cut them in half, scoop and add butter , refill the freeze.
ReplyA favorite is meat loaf, bake in muffin tins , cool annd freeze.
On half baked potaot, one muffin meatloaf. Add sald and it can't be easier to have a good meal
Very interesting to read all the comments. A useful web site is the National Center for Home Food Preservation at the University of Georgia. URL is http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/freeze.html
ReplyThis is information from the USDA and County Extension offices that help consumers have safe, nutritious food. It is primarily aimed at home-grown things (Milk, for example, is not on the list) but it's a great place to start. Also, check with your local County Extension office. Most of them have guides on how and how long to freeze food to retain quality, safety, and nutrition. Here is a link to the fact sheets on food from my local county extension. Most are free. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/pubs.html#nutrition