Storing chopped vegetables?

carinska

Could anyone give me some basic advice please?!! I am trying to be OS and organised in 2007 and have menu planned for the next fortnight. Tomorrow's tea is a casserole type thing with chopped potatoes, carrots etc. Something has just come up tomorrow evening which means I'm going to be pushed for time - if I chop everything up tonight to save time, how am I best to keep them fresh? I thought maybe in water in the fridge? Or should I just bung them in the freezer and they'll defrost as I cook the casserole?
Doing all this cooking has made me realise how much I don't know!
Thank you!

hattie_pea

I'd pop the spuds in some water and cover, perhaps with a pinch of salt. If you have other veg you could blanche (plunge into boiling water for about 3 mins) then cool and freeze. You can then cook them directly from frozen.

lizzyb1812

I have put prepared veg in a plastic bag, sucked the air out of the bag and sealed it tightly then put the bag in the bottom of the fridge (the coldest part). Get as much air out as you can - preferably by using a straw.

If I prepare veg for roasted veg for dinner on Sunday I quite often do an extra portion and have it for dinner on Monday as well - I'm semi veggie and a big dish of roasted veggies makes a lovely meal. So far I haven't suffered tummy-wise from doing this and it's less fussy than keeping them in water.

THIRZAH

Cover peeled potatoes with water or they'll discolour but carrots, sprouts etc are fine in a plastic bag in the fridge overnight.

allIcouldwishfor

Have you got enough room in the fridge to store the whole constructed casserole? Then you can just take it out of the fridge straight to the oven. If not, I'd just make sure the veg is covered tightly (I use old takeaway containers) and keep it in the fridge overnight.

carinska

Thank you so much!

tallulah_beaulah

Put all the chopped veggies and potatoes in a bowl of very cold water and add a slice or two of lemon. Keep the bowl in the fridge til you need it, it won't discolour.... learnt that from my grandma and it's never let me down!

lil_me

Yep slice of lemon or squeeze of lemon juice is what I use aswell

emilyt

Just remember not to use the water you have stored them in in your casserole. Always gives the veg a funny tang.Rinse in fresh water then use.

lil_me

Oh yes forgot that bit emily, good tip, I did that once and it was icky!