How long will this lot last?

zippychick

What spices would you use for jerk chicken?

Ames, im sure it will be lovely. You can add to it later too if the flavouring needs adjusted. Smell usually gives that away though!

Ames

I've got a ready made jerk spices jar, I'd get it wrong otherwise!

Ooh, just remembered I meant to put some mediterranean flavoured sea salt in it, must go do that now!

Ames

Oh just remembered something else I wanted to ask, I've just started using Stardrops, diluted in a spray bottle to clean the kitchen tops, what's a 'safe' amount to dilute? I think I've made it a bit too weak.

Ames

OK, so the slow cooker stuff has finished and is really nice.

So, how do I freeze the other portions? I'd rather not freeze loads of the liquid with the food bits, otherwise it'll just be soggy when it's defrosted, so is there anything I can do with the liquid other than throw it away? And do I wait for it to cool down before I freeze it?

Sorry to be so dumb, this is the first time I've ever batch cooked!

zippychick

Ames, do not be silly! That's what we're here for.

Ok, here's what I would do. Set out little portion tubs and fill with required veg. Allow to cool (cools quicker in smaller portions). Now , you can freeze in a tub, or what I do is like with freezer bags in the tub, secure bag, then put in freezer like that. Once it's all frozen (few hours) take the tubs out - so you have nice little shapes/blocks, you have your tupperware back, and when you take it out, pop it back in the tub, as is, to defrost.

Regards the liquid.... Could you use it to cook savoury rice? or as a base for a soup? Is your front page list of foods updated so we can see what you have? You don't have to use now, you can freeze the liquid separately if you have the room. Or you could thicken it up and try making it into some sort of gravy - but hard to know the taste?

Ames

Oooh I like the freezer bag/tupperwarre idea!

The list is pretty up to date, I'll go change the meat amounts now.

zippychick

I can't take credit for that idea myself - I read it somewhere on OS!!!

Ames

Well, SC is on again. I've been bad though - I saw a tray of reduced minty lamb chunks at morrisons yesterday and grabbed it. So I'm doing a stew with that, a big courgette, a tin of chopped toms and some potatoes. Again, there'll be enough to freeze two or three portions, which is good, but the only thing I used from the storecupboards was the chopped toms.

Another stupid question - if I take out frozen meat and cook with it, can I then freeze the portions of whatever I made?

zippychick

Ames wrote: »

Well, SC is on again. I've been bad though - I saw a tray of reduced minty lamb chunks at morrisons yesterday and grabbed it. So I'm doing a stew with that, a big courgette, a tin of chopped toms and some potatoes. Again, there'll be enough to freeze two or three portions, which is good, but the only thing I used from the storecupboards was the chopped toms.

Another stupid question - if I take out frozen meat and cook with it, can I then freeze the portions of whatever I made?

Don't worry, i would have had the same fear when I started this caper!

yes you can refreeze it as it has changed state. I wouldn't refreeze it as is, but would once it has been cooked. Just make sure to Cool properly first etc. How did you get on with your freexing yesterday? Dont forget to label the bags -from experience :rotfl:

how have you been bad? You spotted a bargain and bought it!

Ames

Ooops, sorry Zippychick only just noticed your reply.

That's good about the refreezing, I thought it was ok but wanted to check. The stuff I cooked was gorgeous, and the freezer bag idea worked well.

Now I need more help. I'm back from morrisons and tesco with loads of reduced meat, which I want to batch cook with over the next day or two. I always get worse once the clocks change so I want a good supply of home made ready meals. So, in addition to what's on the front page, I now have:

Small lamb joint
2 packs of chicken thighs
1 pack of chicken fillets
1 pack of diced chicken
lots of peppers
3 aubergines
2 courgettes
1 leek
a few new potatoes
bag of sliced carrots
bag of parsnips.

So I need ideas for what to do with it all, I've got to go into town tomorrow and I'm happy to get more veg. I was thinking that I'd do some of the chicken thighs and peppers/aubergines/courgettes/potatoes overnight, then some more tomorrow.

Ideally ideas need to be easy to cook in the SC.

Sorry to be a pain and always asking things.