Use it up! Don't throw it in the bin!

Olliebeak

Long_tall_sally wrote: »

.....Also, got a load of tomatoes - can these be frozen? Sorry for all the questions!

With tomatoes, I'd make them into sauces/soups etc and then freeze in useable portions.

xpf

Long_tall_sally wrote: »

I'm also trying to find out about how you freeze bananas as I got loads yesterday at the local market as they were packing up - do you freeze them with the skins on or off? Can you then eat them as normal after they have derosted or are they then only good for banana cake etc?

We peel bananas and wrap them in cling film before freezing them. The kids then eat them as ice lollies. Not sure what they would be good for once defrosted though.

InaPickle

Can I ask guys, is it possible to freeze cheese? If so are there any rules (e.g. can freeze hard cheese, don't bother with soft/unpasturised etc.)? Thanks!

CCP

InaPickle wrote: »

Can I ask guys, is it possible to freeze cheese? If so are there any rules (e.g. can freeze hard cheese, don't bother with soft/unpasturised etc.)? Thanks!

You can freeze hard and blue cheeses, although hard cheeses like cheddar tend to go a bit crumbly when they're defrosted. I don't know about soft/unpasteurised cheeses, though - they never last long enough for me to have tried it!

Gigervamp

I regularly freeze mozzarella balls (they always seem to be in the reduced section at our Asda) and I've successfully frozen breaded camembert.

missychrissy

InaPickle wrote: »

Can I ask guys, is it possible to freeze cheese? If so are there any rules (e.g. can freeze hard cheese, don't bother with soft/unpasturised etc.)? Thanks!

I grate and freeze cheddar and then use it straight from the freezer in omelettes and top of shepherds pie etc.

I also do the same with Stilton and sprinkle that on pasta dishes.

patchwork_cat

Always freeze hard cheese - I bulk buy it at Costco, so have to!

furndire

Long_tall_sally wrote: »

Thanks Poppy-glos! I never knew that you could freeze cream!

I'm also trying to find out about how you freeze bananas as I got loads yesterday at the local market as they were packing up - do you freeze them with the skins on or off? Can you then eat them as normal after they have deroste

I peel bananas, cut them into 3, (if I have plenty of time, I will slice them smaller occasionally) open freeze on a wire baking tray, then put them in zip lock bags and use in my daily smoothies. More manageable that way.
I also freeze cheese in portions. When I was last at Macro, they had a big tub of Ricotta, and a large bottle of cream in reduced section, so I froze them - again in small portions. I have not tried the ricotta yet. The cream is ok for adding to dishes, but it does tend to go 'grainy' when defrosted - so not sure if it would whip up.
With freezing stuff, I work on the principal if you are going to throw something away, you might as well freeze it first - then pitch if it doesn't work.

tartantotty

Primrose wrote: »

Can't offer any innovative ideas for surplus Ryvita as I've had this problem myself when I've overstocked occasionally and they've gone stale. Short of crushing them up with a rolling pin to make breadcrumbs which doesn't work well as they disintegrate to fine dust, mine have ended up being mixed into the wild bird seed box and gone onto the bird table.

My mum used to make ryvita caramel shortbread - which tastes awesome! It tastes like a caramel kitkat!

I dont know the exact quantities, but you line a deep baking tin with cling film, then pour a thin layer of melted choc,a layer of ryvita, a layer of homemade caramel, a layer of ryvita, another layer of caramel, more ryvita and chocolate. Leave to set and then cut into squares! My teachers at school used to request it in advance for coffee mornings and school fairs! As far as I am concerned its the only way to eat ryvita!:rotfl:

curlylocks_2

Have a nearly full jar of pickled onions (the little ones) which nobody likes, is there anything I could do with them? I am thinking they will be too vinigary to use up in casseroles etc.....unless anyone can tell me different!