Help with my mince please

keatergreyhound

I started to batch cook a few weeks ago
I made mince onions carrots in gravy (base for sheperds pie) and froze them in the little silver takeaway containers
My 1st lot I defrosted in the micro and we couldnt eat it as it was awful
Today ive defrosted some in the fridge and it still looks as bad to be honest all fatty
Should I put this in the oven to warm it through rather than the micro is this likely to improve things?
I really cannot afford to loose it as ive got another 10 lots to eat and veggies ready for tonights dinner
Thanks in advance

*niptuckfan*

I would personally take it out and defrost naturally, then put in a pan and simmer gently to heat it up. HTH

*niptuckfan*

lynzpower

I dont eat mince very often but cook it for Oh regularly.

Not much use to you now, but I usually stir fry mince off in a wok, and then drain it with a sieve to get as much of the fat out as poss, then use it in spagbol/ cott pie/chilli etc.

Im quite amazed how much fat comes out of even the leanest mince I buy!

lindens

lynzpower wrote: »

I dont eat mince very often but cook it for Oh regularly.

Not much use to you now, but I usually stir fry mince off in a wok, and then drain it with a sieve to get as much of the fat out as poss, then use it in spagbol/ cott pie/chilli etc.

Im quite amazed how much fat comes out of even the leanest mince I buy!

I do this as well. I fry the mince on its own first with no veggies until almost cooked, drain away all the fat ( and there's always some) put the mince back in the pan and then add the veggies or whatever.

keatergreyhound

It was extra lean Sainsburys mince which I fried then added onions and mushrooms to and little pieces of carrot then I added gravy to it then poured into the silver tubs and froze

csarinaknight

I find that if you leave the mince to cool once you have cooked it you can skim any excess fat off. If you put tomato puree in you will get orange fat you can see easily.............if you do not thicken it before cooling the fat will settle, skim it, then freeze it, add any thickening you need when you re-heat it.

I must admit I also do cook it and pour the fat off before I add anything to it.......its really what you want to do...........

janb5

TBH I havent noticed fat to be drained off! I tend to buy the leanest mince which is about 5% fat and it has always been quite reliable. I also use the spray oil mister( when I remember!) and that helps too.

nitnurse-not!

Try reheating till hot then use a piece of kitchen roll. Lay it gently over the mince and it will soak up the excess fat. Alternatively, give it a good stir and you won't be any the wiser. Remember- a little fat helps with the taste.

ckerrd

I assume you didnt defrost in in the micro while it was still in the little silver container?

In what way was it awful?

beadysam

You shouldn't need any extra fat to cook your mince with. If you cant see any fat in the mince try leaving ot to settle for a few mins then dropping an ice cube in it. The fat will cling to it and solidify and you can scoop it out and discard it. Do this a few times to get rid of a lot of the fat. Also don't stir your mince for a few mins, just let it settle. Lay a slice of bread lightly on top and it will soak up a lot of the fat that rises to the top. You can put the bread out for the birds. I have never had mince that didn't need draining, no matter how lean it says it is on the packet!

Wesker

A little off topic but where do you get the silver take-away containers from?
Or do you re-use the ones you get your take-away in