Food freezing is a widely practiced and convenient preservation method that extends the shelf life of food products while preserving their freshness and nutritional quality. Cool & Simple breaks down the best freezing practices to enjoy your meals safely!
The 6 Benefits of Freezing Food at Home
Reduction of Food Waste
Opting for food freezing reduces food waste and manages your quantities more efficiently. You’ve made a large batch of shepherd's pie for 15? Freeze it in individual portions, and you'll have delicious meals for the coming weeks!
Quick Meal Preparation
Having frozen foods on hand simplifies meal preparation. Want more time to play with your kids instead of spending 2 hours in the kitchen? Thaw an individually portioned or family-sized frozen meal, and you're all set!
Time and Energy Savings
Preparing in bulk and freezing in individual portions helps reduce your grocery costs and time spent in the kitchen.
Limitless Customization
Freezing gives you endless creative freedom! Create ingredient mixes, make customized portions to satisfy your loved one's food preferences, and avoid artificial preservatives by choosing homemade options.
Seasonal Flavors All Year Round
Freezing your food means you can enjoy seasonal flavors year-round. Whether it's the freshness of summer produce or the delights of autumn, we can't help but savor it all year!
Freezable Foods
Fruits and Vegetables
Many fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, bananas, and vegetables like spinach, peppers, and broccoli, are perfect for freezing. At Cool & Simple, we make your life easier by offering a wide variety of pre-cut natural vegetables for your soups or stir-fries so you can enjoy them with family or friends hassle-free!
Dairy Products
You can freeze dairy products like milk, cream, and shredded cheese. Although their texture may be slightly affected, it doesn't significantly impact their use.
Meats and Fish
Meats, poultry, and fish freeze very well. To prevent the formation of ice crystals, remove excess fat and moisture before freezing. Divide them into individual portions to facilitate thawing.
Prepared Meals
You can also freeze homemade prepared dishes! Cool them completely before freezing, then pack them tightly to prevent cross-contamination.
Foods to Avoid Freezing
Carbonated Beverages
You should never freeze carbonated drinks like champagne, beer, and soda as they risk exploding.
Pasta, Potatoes, and Some Dairy Products
Cooked pasta and rice, when served cold, become grainy and crumbly after freezing. When served cold, whole or diced, cooked potatoes easily fall apart and become crumbly. After freezing, yogurt becomes more liquid and lumpy, while soft cheeses lose quality.
Other Delicate Foods
Freezing can alter the quality of some delicate foods. For example, lobster becomes grainy, hard-boiled eggs become rubbery, some vegetables (cucumbers, lettuce, melons, sliced radishes, and tomatoes) become soft, gelatin-based desserts become spongy, and mayonnaise separates when frozen. Now you know it all!
Food Preparation Before Freezing and the Packaging Process
Fruits and Vegetables
Start with thorough washing to remove impurities and pesticide residues. Then, peel and cut them. Blanch the vegetables in boiling water to preserve texture, flavor, and color, then cool them in ice water. After blanching, ensure they are well-dried and use freezer bags or plastic or glass containers. To prevent freezer burn and cross-contamination, seal them tightly. Eliminate air to preserve the quality of your frozen foods, and you're good to go!
Meats and Fish
Begin by removing bones, scales, and excess fats. Divide your pieces into individual portions for convenience. Wrap each portion in freezer bags or airtight containers, clearing the air to prevent ice crystal formation. For fresh proteins with their quality intact upon consumption!
Freezing and Reheating Prepared Meals
You've made lasagna for an army and want to freeze the leftovers for nights when you don't feel like cooking? Good idea! Start by cooling the dish to room temperature (but not for too long!), then tightly wrap it in suitable containers to prevent ice crystals. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight. When reheating, use an oven or a microwave on low power to preserve the flavors. Thawed dishes can be stored in the refrigerator, offering the same shelf life as fresh products.
Frozen Dish Shelf Life
The shelf life may vary depending on the types of frozen foods.
Meats and Fish
Generally, they maintain their taste quality for 3 to 12 months. For processed meats or cooked dishes, follow the packaging instructions.
Vegetables and Fruits
Depending on the type and preparation, you can keep them for 8 months to 2 years. Ensure proper storage to avoid freezer burn.
For effective rotation, keep a list of frozen foods, noting the purchase date. Prioritize "first in, first out" to maintain the freshness of your supplies and reduce waste!
Food Safety and Freezing Precautions
Maintaining the cold chain is essential to preserve the quality of frozen products and prevent the proliferation of bacteria responsible for food poisoning. Controlling the internal temperature of food is a crucial factor as it influences the growth of microorganisms. Here are some standards to follow:
Frozen foods: maximum temperature of -18 °C;
Refrigerated foods: maximum temperature of 4 °C;
Hot-served foods: minimum temperature of 60 °C.
Proper Thawing Management
When thawing food, we recommend three approaches.
Refrigerator Thawing
The safest method is to thaw food in the refrigerator, maintaining a temperature between 0 °C and 4 °C. This approach keeps the food at a safe temperature, preventing the proliferation of bacteria.
Microwave
With microwave thawing, it's essential to cook the food immediately afterward. That way, it prevents partially thawed food from remaining in a dangerous temperature range for bacteria.
Cold Water
Keep the water at a temperature of 21 °C or less. Don't forget to change the water regularly.
Note: It is crucial never to thaw food at room temperature! Doing this can expose the outer surfaces of the food to temperatures conducive to bacterial growth, posing a health risk.
Explore Your Culinary Creativity with Frozen Foods
The culinary possibilities with frozen foods are endless! At Cool & Simple, we encourage the exploration of new recipes to impress your loved ones and break out of the routine. Frozen fruits are perfect for refreshing smoothies, while tasty desserts save you time at dinner parties. Add frozen proteins like shrimp or chicken to curries or stir-fry dishes to fuel up with energy. With a freezer, your kitchen becomes a limitless creative playground!