How to freeze... .

David333

This is quite a silly question but I've been reading through all the threads about meals for 50p each and usually they're for four people. Seeing as I live on my own I guess the idea is to cook for four and then freeze three meals to eat later. I'm just not too sure about how to go about that though... .

Having cooked my meal, do I just stick it in a tupperware thing and put it in the freezer...? Or should I leave it out to cool or something first...? Can I freeze anything...?! Then, when I take it out of the freezer, what do I do...? Do I let it defrost on the sideboard? in the fridge? A day before? The same day...?

Sorry, I guess I'm asking about an idiot's guide to freezing please!

nesssie1702

Hi David

Once you've made a meal and you're looking to freeze it, then transfer it to a tub and leave it to cool (without the lid on, otherwise you'll get condensation and then when it's frozen, more water) for about an hour and a half.

Don't put it in the freezer straight away, as it will increase the temperature of the freezer.

If you've got time and you're well organised, then you're better to take your meal out and let it defrost in the fridge, best to do this the day before. You could always use the defrost setting on your microwave as well to defrost something if you've not been organised.

I quite often freeze chilli, bolognese sauce and mince. Also make soups in bulk and freeze them for DH's packed lunch.

Some things won't freeze that well, but the best thing to do is a bit of trial and error and see how it goes.

Happy Freezing

David333

Thanks very much! I'm going to do some online shopping tomorrow with a meal plan for the week and see how it goes. I seem to spend most of my money on snacks, but maybe I can save something on my main courses by making them in batches. Maybe I should invest in some tupperware too ;-) Thanks again!

misskool

Takeaway containers washed out again are perfect for freezing as they are portioned out for one.

I leave things out to cool after cooking it in the pot then portion it out and then fridge some and freeze some. Most things are ok to freeze but a few cooked things change texture when defrosted.

nesssie1702

You'll find that lots of the supermarkets and places like Woolies have offers on plastic containers just now, especially aimed at students like you

Your other option is to build up a collection of your own over time - ice cream tubs, margarine tubs, plastic soup tubs etc etc

If you've got the oven on for something, pop in a couple of potatoes and bake them off - you can freeze them too!

Pink.

Hi David,

You can freeze most meals. Use any container you want to freeze really. I either use (and re-use) takeaway containers, margarine tubs, freezer bags or sometimes I line the dish I want to reheat the meal in with cling film or foil then remove the food once it's frozen and pop it into a bag so that I can re-use the dish.

To freeze food you need to cool it as quickly as possible after cooking (to prevent any bacteria from multiplying) and once it's cold then you can freeze it.

I normally defrost food in the fridge or overnight (when it's colder in the kitchen) on the worktop, but I know a lot of Old Stylers often reheat from frozen.

The most important thing with freezing is to remember that food must only be frozen once in the same state. ie you can buy raw chicken and put it in the freezer but you must not defrost it and re-freeze it a second time raw. You can however, defrost it, cook it and then freeze it cooked. But only once.

These earlier threads may help:

Batch cooking query

What foods can/can't you freeze?

Freezer containers

We have a thread on Quick Questions on Freezing that may be helpful to you: Freezing - Quick Questions thread I'll add your thread to that one later as your questions may help others.

Pink

David333

Thanks very much! Just a question with the takeaway container things. If they don't have a lid on what do I do...?

Pink.

David333 wrote: »

Thanks very much! Just a question with the takeaway container things. If they don't have a lid on what do I do...?

You can make a makeshift lid out of foil or cling film. Just make sure it's upright when you put it into the freezer.

Pink

hilstep2000

The pound shops often do packs of takeaway tubs. Don't forget charity shops too, they often have loads of tupperware!

buxtonrabbitgreen

I sonetimes end up with containers with no lids. I just put them in a plastic bag. The right way up in the freezer.