Storing food-biscuits, cakes and freezing stuff!

Fay

Hi Guys
I want to make some biscuits this weekend but I am not sure how to store them to stop them from going soft, with shop biscuits I usually just bung them in the fridge (they are usually chocolate!) but decided that home made must surely be cheaper and probably better for us. I also have the same problem with cakes, I make them and most of them go straight away, but when they don't they never seem to stay fresh no matter how I store them...any tips please?

Also, I think I have had a light bulb moment over the amount of food I buy and waste. There is only myself and my partner (and our cat!) and I always spend at least £80 a week on shopping (supermarket and butchers). We will then usually eat out once a week and have one take away too. I am trying to really tone up for my x-mas holiday (already go the gym 4 or 5 times a week) and so am cutting down on my food, but I waste so much. I am not sure how to store my left overs though? At the minute the only things I do tend to bulk cook are chilli and ragu (both of which I store in freezer bags in portions). But I would like to know how to store things like shepherd's pie and last week we made fajitas and there was lots of chicken left and we gave it our neighbour...please help.

I want to make a meal plan for this week and see if I can use some of the left overs too...any tips please?

TallGirl

Shepherd/cottage pie is easy to freeze. I make one big one for dinner then smaller ones with the mash on top but freeze them in silverfoil trays (like the ones for takeaways) before I brown them in the owen. You can also put the leftovers carefully into a dish and freeeze it. When you want it defrost it before microwaving it Husband says they taste fine and he is really fussy.

I do the same with chicken curry and rice. Husband doesn't really cook and I am away a lot so put it in microwave dish curry on top of rice and once defrosted it heats fine in the microwave.

Queenie

Fay wrote:

Hi Guys
I want to make some biscuits this weekend but I am not sure how to store them to stop them from going soft, with shop biscuits I usually just bung them in the fridge (they are usually chocolate!) but decided that home made must surely be cheaper and probably better for us.....

These are very much a cut and come again style biscuit:-

Every Day Biscuits - Make and bake, or make and freeze, then bake

Yield: between 45 - 50
Gas 5/190C/ 375F

Metric Imperial
225g 1/2 lb butter, softened
100g 4oz caster sugar
225g 1/2lb SF Flour
5ml 1 tsp vanilla essence
To finish: sprinkle of icing sugar

Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, add vanilla and fold in the flour
Mix to a smooth dough
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for a minute or two. Roll into a sausage shape approx 5cm/ 2in in diameter, put in fridge to chill until firm.

To Freeze: Wrap in foil, pack in a freezer bag. Seal, label and freeze.
To Thaw and Serve: Thaw in the wrappings in the fridge for approx 30 mins, then cut into thin (ish) slices, place on greased baking sheets and bake in a preheated oven for 10mins.
Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool. Sprinkle with icing sugar before serving.

Variations:
Chocolate: Sub 25g / 1oz cocoa powder for the vanilla.
Cherry: Add 50g / 2 oz glace cherries, finely chopped
Nut: Add 50g/2oz chopped almonds or walnuts.

Notes:
These take moments to prep. I make one batch and cut the 'sausage' in half before chilling. Once chilled to firm, one half is then put in the freezer.
The "dough" will keep in the fridge for a few days, so you can "slice" fresh biscuits as and when required.

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For a whole variety of recipes, check out Recipe Index many of the cakes/biscuits can be frozen. I have an old fashioned biscuit tin which seems to keep cakes and biscuits crisper than a plastic box. Also you shouldn't store cakes and biscuits in the same tin because the moisture from the cake will make the biscuits go soggy.

For more Cooking and Recipes check the Mega Index there are sections in there regarding Freezing and also Leftovers that you might find useful. There is also a section on menu planning

HTH

Fay

Thanks guys, I have a really nice recipe for cookies from St Delia but your biscuits sound lovely Queenie and I have all of the ingredients for them, so I think I will try making them, perhaps even tonight! I will also make extra pies next time and will try to find some of those silver trays.

Thanks again and thank you for the links Queenie, I have been looking for the menu planning info for 2 days!