Methods, techniques, and quality/safety concerns around the freezing of various foods.
43
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8answers
1k views
Once a month cooking
I've heard of "once a month cooking" or "freezer cooking," where you basically spend a day cooking and fill your freezer with the next month's worth of food. This could especially come in handy when ...
28
votes
7answers
35k views
How dangerous is it to refreeze meat that has been thawed?
I've often been told by people that I shouldn't refreeze meat (particularly hamburger meat) once it has been thawed. However, this seems a little silly to me. I can't imagine how meat that hasn't ...
24
votes
3answers
902 views
Does freezing butter or margarine change the properties?
I have a lot of butter & margarine and looking for ways to keep it for longer time.
Will freezing them change melting point, flavor, or anything that could be undesirable when cooking?
Update:
...
22
votes
8answers
6k views
How to chill beer quickly?
We all know the situation.
The party is about to begin, it's really hot outside and we forget to put the beer (or similar drink) into the fridge...
What is your way to chill beer really fast?
18
votes
3answers
2k views
Can I freeze roux?
Is it possible to prepare a (large) batch of roux and then freeze it, or will the texture and flavour be destroyed in the process?
17
votes
5answers
3k views
Can I freeze Milk?
After a bit of miscommunication, my wife and I ended up buying 6 litres of milk between us. I don't really want to waste it, so I'm wondering if it's safe to freeze some of it and defrost and use it ...
16
votes
2answers
5k views
Why did my Turkey Stock turn into gelatin?
We took our left-over turkey carcass and parts and simmered them for a few hours with water in a pot with some herbs and veggies. After removing the solids, and separating the fat, we placed it in ...
16
votes
9answers
4k views
Can raw eggs be frozen?
If raw eggs are nearing their expiry date, can they be preserved in the freezer? Would there be any issues with them after taking them out of the freezer?
15
votes
2answers
1k views
Why peel tomatoes?
Everyone seems to think it is necessary to peel tomatoes before canning or freezing them. Since I do not peel tomatoes when I'm cooking with them (soups, salsa, etc.), I'm wondering if I can freeze ...
15
votes
2answers
5k views
Does polenta freeze well?
Does freezing polenta substantially change its consistency? I like polenta but would prefer to make it in batches instead of every time I want to eat it. After I make it, I usually let it cool, cut ...
12
votes
5answers
3k views
How should I store steaks in the freezer?
What's the best method for storing steaks in the freezer? How should I wrap them? Should they be stored individually?
12
votes
3answers
519 views
Is it okay to keep flour in the freezer?
Years ago I noticed I was getting little bugs in the flour that I kept in the pantry. To prevent this, I started keeping my flour in the freezer. I don't do a lot of baking, but I was wondering what ...
12
votes
1answer
3k views
How should I deal with blood released while thawing meat in the refrigerator?
Saturday I pulled a package of venison from my freezer to thaw and hope to make stroganoff with it tonight. However, this morning I noticed that the package (in a bowl) had really released a lot of ...
12
votes
1answer
3k views
Defrosting pizza dough correctly?
Last time I made pizza dough I was a bit...generous with the ingredients - not a problem, I thought, as I'd read before somewhere that pizza dough is nicely freezable. So, I broke the dough in half, ...
11
votes
9answers
3k views
How to make large clear ice cubes
I want to make some ice cubes that are large (1" on a side or more), crystal clear, and perfectly cubical. I want them large to make my drinks dilute less slowly, and clear and cubical because I think ...
10
votes
6answers
2k views
Can you freeze soup?
I am planning on making soup with my leftover turkey frame. I was just wondering if it is possible to freeze the soup and have it taste good when it is thawed. I am guessing it should be fine as long ...
10
votes
2answers
583 views
Why does frozen food seem to have lost its original taste and texture after reheating?
I usually freeze my leftovers.
Then, when I reheat them, the flavors are diminished - less salt, less chili, less everything.
Any ideas why?
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Are there things you cannot freeze?
There are a lot of edible things that come to mind when I think about what can be frozen. But when I think about things you better not put in the freezer, I honestly have no idea.
So, what food ...
10
votes
4answers
799 views
Can you freeze cheese and still keep the flavor when you defrost it?
I was thinking in particular about Brie because of its soft texture...
10
votes
4answers
691 views
What can I do with frozen eggs?
Although a previous question asks if raw eggs can be frozen, my eggs froze, in the shell, because the chicken coop into which they were delivered was very cold last week.
I thawed the eggs, and they ...
10
votes
2answers
798 views
Why blanche vegetables before freezing?
I have a bumper crop of french beans, runners, and (earlier in the summer) peas. I know that we're supposed to blanche vegetables prior to freezing and my general purpose cookbooks tell me how long to ...
10
votes
3answers
8k views
How long does uncooked meat last when kept in the freezer?
Chicken, beef, or even shrimp? How long can I keep it there before it goes bad?
9
votes
4answers
1k views
Best way store stocks in freezer?
What do you think is the best way to store stocks in the freezer? Ice cubes? Plastic bags? etc.
Also, what would be the optimal portion size? 100ml, 1/2 cups, etc.
8
votes
3answers
4k views
Can I still eat this fish?
I just found a couple of salmon fillets in my freezer that seem to have been there for about two years. Are they still edible, or should I bin them?
8
votes
4answers
446 views
Can I freeze caramelised onions?
Caramelised onions seem easier to make in large batches, so could I make a big batch then freeze them in say, ice cube trays, for later use? Or would this have a detrimental effect on them?
8
votes
3answers
5k views
Can I freeze Parmesan?
I am thinking about buying a larger amount of Parmesan and freeze it for later use. Is this possible? How long can I keep it for? How is the taste/texture affected?
8
votes
3answers
800 views
Why does sauce go watery after freezing?
If I freeze a sauce, particularly something with mince in it, when defrosted it produces excess water.
The sauce before frozen is nicely thickened.
I think it might be because the proteins in the ...
7
votes
6answers
9k views
A simple way to make crushed ice?
For many of my favourite cold drinks I need crushed ice. That is, thousands of small pieces of ice, not 3 big ice cubes. Is there an easy way to make crushed ice without expensive equipment?
7
votes
3answers
28k views
How long can you freeze raw chicken before it seriously affects its taste?
The dramatic effects of freezing something almost always has an immediate impact on taste. But it seems like the longer something is in the freezer the worse it tastes. Recently, I found some months ...
7
votes
3answers
4k views
Can you freeze fruit pies after baking - Will this ruin them?
I was thinking about apple, but would apply to any fruit.
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Can you freeze gravy?
I made gravy for supper today and I have more than we can eat. So I was wondering if it was possible to freeze gravy after it has cooled down in the fridge. If it is possible than what would be the ...
7
votes
3answers
442 views
How to prepare pie dough in bulk at home?
Common knowledge dictates keeping the fats cool and the tools chilled. But when you are preparing more than 8X quantity, this poses some difficulties, or at least some stress. The ambient air, the ...
7
votes
3answers
4k views
Can you freeze waffle batter?
We have made too much waffle batter. The recipe includes flour, baking powder, salt, eggs and milk (no fat), and part of the instructions are to beat the eggs until frothy - we're assuming this is to ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Can you freeze chopped zucchini?
I know that I can easily freeze shredded zucchini for long-term storage if I stored it in a vacuum sealed freezer bag. However there is a recipe that I really want to make over the winter that ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Can I successfully bake previously-frozen bread dough?
I prefer my bread freshly baked (who doesn't?), but my mixer prefers kneading two loaves at a time to just kneading one. I have tried to freeze the second loaf before baking it, but when I thaw it, it ...
7
votes
1answer
168 views
How to ship bread or bread dough?
I've been thinking about starting a boutique mail order dinner roll business.
Dough
While I'd really like to ship dough and allow customers to bake (per roll) at their leisure, I'm beginning to think ...
7
votes
3answers
343 views
How can I make sorbet without a recipe?
I would like to be able to make sorbet with whatever ingredients I have on hand without always looking up a recipe. I understand that it's important to get the correct balance of sugar, liquid, and ...
6
votes
6answers
16k views
Can whole chilli peppers be frozen?
I have some Dorset Naga chilli peppers bought from the local supermarket.
Aren't they lovely? :)
Well, unfortunately, my local supermarket (I think the only one in the UK that stocks them) ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I properly freeze and reheat a cooked, marinated steak?
I just grilled up a steak marinated in vinegar, rosemary, and olive oil. Problem is I made too much. What's the proper way to freeze, store, and subsequently reheat this steak to get it as close to as ...
6
votes
1answer
221 views
How to remove individual steaks from a lump I mistakenly froze together?
I got a vacuum sealer and stored about 7 pieces of steak in 1 bag. I put it in the freezer and just now I decided to take out a couple of steaks to thaw out so I cut open the bag but all the steaks ...
6
votes
3answers
6k views
How to properly freeze kefir grains
I have been making kefir regularly for a couple years. Lately, however, my family's interest in it has waned and I have been using it less often and so feeding it less often.
I want to store some ...
6
votes
2answers
518 views
Does it harm juice if I store it in sub-zero temperatures?
I have several packs of juice (or multivitamin nectar, to be precise), and I can either keep them in our flat or put them outside, where it's freezing during the night. Is it going to do any harm to ...
6
votes
1answer
11k views
Can you freeze jalapenos?
It's getting colder outside and I have a lot of jalapenos in my garden. I like eating them fresh (not cooked) on homemade tacos and omelets, etc.
If I freeze them and thaw them out later in the ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
Possible to freeze jam in glass?
I have read on multiple canning sites that you can freeze jam in glass jars. Has anyone actually done this successfully? Under what circumstances would it be preferable to putting the jam in plastic ...
6
votes
3answers
706 views
How to get rid of the smell from the fridge? [closed]
Storing various meals and products in fridge (or freezer) can result in mixing different flavours, which isn't that great. What are your best practises to avoid the smell?
6
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I avoid from turning mushrooms brown while freezing it?
When you freeze mushrooms they will turn brown. You can't keep them for long time in the fridge though. On the other hand I can't buy it everyday! I love mushrooms in anything and I want to have some ...
6
votes
2answers
435 views
Is it possible to freeze nuts to keep them from going bad?
For convenience, I like to keep a variety of nuts on hand for cooking and baking. Is it possible to freeze nuts to keep them from going bad? Walnuts, Almonds, Pecans in particular.
6
votes
1answer
276 views
What is the “idea” behind thawing out meat?
Is it some how better to thaw out meat in a refrigerator versus on the counter versus running hot water over it versus in the microwave? Is it the longer the time meat has to thaw out the more taste ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
Can you freeze mirepoix?
Can I chop up and freeze mirepoix raw, or do the vegetables have to be blanched first?
Thanks!
6
votes
1answer
263 views
Is it necessary to thaw bones before roasting for stock?
I have some frozen lamb bones that I want to make a lamb stock with. The recipe I'm using roasts the bones in the oven before making the stock - is it necessary to thaw the bones before roasting them, ...
