tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post1734405138788633085..comments2023-11-03T05:40:08.084-05:00Comments on It's Hip to Save!: Freezer Discussion: I Need Your Advice & Tips!Hip2Savehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08606528322615421907noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-90870185759786373142010-02-10T06:07:13.962-06:002010-02-10T06:07:13.962-06:00Memory sure is becoming cheaper these days. I wond...Memory sure is becoming cheaper these days. I wonder when we will finally reach the ratio of 1 cent to 1 Gigabyte.<br><br>I'm eagerly anticipating the day when I will <i>finally</i> be able to afford a 20 terabyte drive . But for now I guess I will be happy with having a 32 gig Micro SD in my R4i.<br><br>(Posted from Nintendo DS running [url=http://www.leetboss.com/video-games/r4i-r4-sdhc-nintendo-ds]R4i[/url] NePof)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-83397352044172828792009-12-03T00:35:17.057-06:002009-12-03T00:35:17.057-06:00I peel bananas, break them into about three or fou...I peel bananas, break them into about three or four pieces and use them in fruit smoothies. It gives the smoothies a really thick frothy texture. If they are in the freezer for a really long time they will start to turn brown, but I have only had an issue with this a few times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-78085387381232186472009-11-30T15:26:51.234-06:002009-11-30T15:26:51.234-06:00Everything! I freeze anything I can make in large ...Everything! I freeze anything I can make in large batches. Whenever I make spagetti sauce or chili I just triple the recipe and freeze it in amounts that my recipes call for. I also do the same when I bake bread, and I freeze loaves of bread I find good deals on. I have a lemon tree and freeze whole lemons when there are too many to use. They are a bit softer when they thaw, but it makes them perfect for juicing. <br /><br />Probably my favorite thing to freeze is brown rice. I love to use it since it's healther, but it takes longer to cook. I cook a large stock pot of it once, then freeze it in small batches. To use later I put it straight from the freezer into a steaming basket and it comes out perfect! It even has a better texture than when made without freezing. <br /><br />I do the same thing with oatmeal. I like steel cut oats, so I'll cook a whole batch and freeze portions to make for faster breakfast prep.Aliciahttp://www.allthingsalicia.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-22959792704778026672009-11-20T19:14:08.468-06:002009-11-20T19:14:08.468-06:00We make trays of eggplant parm or baked ziti. We ...We make trays of eggplant parm or baked ziti. We put them in the alum. trays and cover with the lids. Mark the top with the date and freeze; do not cook before freezing. We have also made desserts and frozen them. You can even freeze store bought desserts including Entements cakes. I regularly freeze bread and lunch meats too. We buy a cinnamon bread from out local fair, slice it and freeze. Pull out what we need to make french toast and it's DELISH :) Happy freezing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-40186202064627565942009-11-04T13:41:45.886-06:002009-11-04T13:41:45.886-06:00Have you thought about Canning? When the fruits an...Have you thought about Canning? When the fruits and veggies are at there cheapest, in season, you can them and enjoy them later. This also cuts down on sugar and preservatives, and time. The veggies are already washed and slightly cooked!Rachel Wnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-24698056567342023602009-10-21T13:36:10.515-05:002009-10-21T13:36:10.515-05:00Oh, one more thing. I read a good tip in a magazin...Oh, one more thing. I read a good tip in a magazine other week and it was to freeze extra juice in ice cube trays, then pop one in a glass of water for your kids...instant watered-down juice!Bethanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07825765886294328855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-3901137972183039112009-10-21T13:33:42.392-05:002009-10-21T13:33:42.392-05:00I read somewhere that the best kind of cheese is M...I read somewhere that the best kind of cheese is Mozzarella. Other kinds will change consistency/taste...<br />Best containers are freezer ziplocks...flatten everything out and you can pull things out flat; it also thaws quicker this way.<br />My favorite things to freeze:<br />browned hamburger meat, separated into 1-lb bags <br />cooked, diced chicken. I buy at least two whole chickens, cook them at the same time, de-skin and bone and then dice. Great to pull out when you need cooked chicken. I usually freeze these in 1-cup increments so it's also pre-measured.<br />Fresh herbs keep frozen for up to a year. I buy them in season, wash, dry WELL and freeze in a ziplock. Pull out and ready to use.<br />One tip is to make sure you are only freezing things ONCE. Like don't use cooked meat to make a casserole and then re-freeze it. It will lose taste. Same with fruit or veggies. You can also make an entire casserole and bake it, and freeze into single servings. This is great for single people or empty-nesters.<br />I would freeze everything if I had a bigger freezer. But I don't. So I'm always crammed for space. If I had more room I would do more meals ahead of time.Bethanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07825765886294328855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-10623491779388127062009-10-16T21:37:45.905-05:002009-10-16T21:37:45.905-05:00A couple of months ago there was a .50/1 coupon fo...A couple of months ago there was a .50/1 coupon for Coffeemate creamers. I buy these all the time, so I went on ebay and bought 20 coupons for it. My grocery store put the little bottles on sale for $.99, so guess what? They were free when my coupon doubled. I wanted to buy 20 bottles, but didn't think I could use them before they went bad. I decided to try freezing them and it worked out great. I put them in the frige to defrost and they were just as good as ever. I will mentioned that I did not buy the fat free kind. I read that when freezing foods, the low fat and fat free foods do not freeze as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-9402858678807669952009-10-14T10:09:23.198-05:002009-10-14T10:09:23.198-05:00I always freeze FLOUR, especially whole wheat. Thi...I always freeze FLOUR, especially whole wheat. This keeps the flour from becoming rancid and makes all your homemade goodies taste fresh. I also freeze nuts and chocolate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-13032042923311139642009-10-12T06:07:04.642-05:002009-10-12T06:07:04.642-05:00Recently, I learned that you can freeze onions. I...Recently, I learned that you can freeze onions. I did not know this, but my husband's Grandmother told me so, and you know how that goes, they know best! lol. I don't know if anyone posted this on any other comment, but thought I'd pass it on. Usually I have onion left over and many times, do not use it all after spaghetti, etc. so this is a great way to do it and it is so fresh and ready for next time! I just used a ziploc bag. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-38485171979768526832009-07-31T20:33:49.442-05:002009-07-31T20:33:49.442-05:00We freeze milk all of the time and have no issues ...We freeze milk all of the time and have no issues w/ it. If it does separate, just shake it up and it will blend back together. We've never had any complaints from the 4 kids about the taste. We also freeze cheese slices. It does look a little funny when thawed, but they still eat it. Note on the milk though, it will expand when frozen- so the jug sometimes will deform.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-29004552201666868252009-07-12T13:23:14.608-05:002009-07-12T13:23:14.608-05:00if you freeze your bread, make sure to slip a peic...if you freeze your bread, make sure to slip a peice of paper towel in the bag to absorb the moisture when thawing!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-77220629501592894542009-06-14T01:24:39.115-05:002009-06-14T01:24:39.115-05:00When my bananas turn brown, I peel them, cut in ha...When my bananas turn brown, I peel them, cut in half and freeze them. When I want a fresh smoothie, I add all of my ingredients in the blender, and then instead of ice, I add the half banana. It's yummy!Lindanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-82468358887389501442009-06-12T18:52:22.799-05:002009-06-12T18:52:22.799-05:00A good trick to freezing homemade though is to use...A good trick to freezing homemade though is to use parchment paper before putting it into the freezer bag.<br />always works for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-10222194527706236642009-06-11T15:18:06.836-05:002009-06-11T15:18:06.836-05:00Tanya...yes I have frozen bacon and my mother did ...Tanya...yes I have frozen bacon and my mother did it for years...freeze as is and defrost the night before in the frig. does anyone else wash their expensive ziploc bags and reuse them...just wondering if i'm the only crazy one..:)cathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-61312924997482589022009-06-10T12:57:29.227-05:002009-06-10T12:57:29.227-05:00The one thing that I haven't seen on this list...The one thing that I haven't seen on this list is bacon. I buy it on sale and if I'm lucky along with a coupon. I have found Walgreens actually has the best price on Oscar Mayer bacon (my brand of choice). I buy a couple of pounds at a time and freeze them. Pull them out and pop them in the fridge a day before I use them and they taste great.Tanya Porthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-16852408053796880512009-06-10T10:14:19.559-05:002009-06-10T10:14:19.559-05:00I love my freezer & use it a lot. I hope the l...I love my freezer & use it a lot. I hope the long post is ok!<br /><br />I will try freezing anything at least once but mostly I freeze meat & veg. I do freeze milk & have never had problems with the taste. It does turn yellow when it's frozen & it does separate but you need to shake it VERY thoroughly once it's thawed. It takes two or three days to thaw completely in the fridge. I shake it every time I pour though I don't really think that's needed. I've left it our overnight to thaw too. My family has never complained about the taste either. <br /><br />For fruit, I usually just freeze what we grow - blackberries. I've frozen other kinds of berries that I've bought.<br /><br />I also freeze breads & pastries but they need to be eaten within 4 to 6 weeks at the most. I buy on sale & freeze. With buns I have a small family so I take one bun per person out of the freezer & thaw in the microwave wrapped in a paper towel on defrost. If you buy snack cakes, they freeze very well too & keep for about 6 months. <br /><br />I also cook ahead & freeze some things. Usually it's just the meats. I'll grill a lot of chicken breast then cut into 1-in. pieces & freeze for stir fry, salads, wraps, enchiladas, ect. <br /><br />I freeze leftovers to use in homemade soups. If there's only one or two servings left of a veggie, rice or meat, I freeze it in a small container until I have enough to make soup. I also make my own broth & freeze it.<br /><br />Since my family is small I freeze a lot of sauces. I buy spaghetti, marinara, salsa ect. & freeze them in 1/4 cup containers to use in recipes. <br /><br />I dice fresh onions & peppers from the garden or when they're on sale & freeze in ziplocs. Then I take out what I need for recipes or to top homemade pizzas. <br /><br />The main things I freeze from my garden are purple hull peas & tomatoes. The tomatoes can only be used in cooking once frozen. <br /><br />I also freeze nuts & chocolate. I like to buy chocolate after major holidays for cooking. You can buy Valentine or Easter chocolate on clearance then break into chunks & freeze for cookie, cake or brownie recipes. <br /><br />I also store some of my garden seeds in the freezer.<br /><br />Things I've had bad luck freezing are mashed potatoes, homemade bread dough(I should be able to do this but haven't learned the trick yet) & asparagus(it just doesn't taste as good as fresh from the garden!).<br /><br />Things I've heard you can freeze but have never tried are butter & eggs. I've read that you can whisk a dozen eggs as if you're making scrambled eggs. Divide them into an ice cube tray with 12 compartments. Then once they're frozen pop them out & store in a freezer bag. One cube equals one egg in your cooking. <br /><br />Like I said, I LOVE my freezer & use it every day. I really like the slide out baskets in your new freezer. Mine is upright too but I don't have as many compartments. I really like yours. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine! Jen PS sorry this is so long but I hope it's helpful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-31662604061624105332009-06-10T09:53:42.598-05:002009-06-10T09:53:42.598-05:00I always freeze my milk. It saves on trips to the ...I always freeze my milk. It saves on trips to the grocery store. When I see we are low, I take a gallon out of the freezer and set it on a towel on the counter over night. By morning, it is mostly thawed. We don't have any problems with flavor. You will want to shake it when thawed. Sometimes, we notice white specks in the milk where the milkfat has seperated. No problems though.<br /><br />I freeze cheese, but I shred it and store it in a gallon freezer bag. I do this for 2 reasons. After it has been frozen as a brick and thawed, it doesn't slice or shred very well--it breaks off in chunks. It is also very easy to use when it's shredded and because of the surface area, it thaws quickly. But because of the increased surface area when shredded, cheese molds quicker. Cream cheese doesn't thaw well.<br /><br />I like to individually freeze my meat that is purchased bulk and also my fruits. This way they aren't stuck together and you don't have to thaw the whole pkg to use some. Just spread the items on a large baking sheet and place in the freezer until frozen solid. Then, remove from the sheet and place in a gallon freezer bag.<br /><br />Ok, that was long, but that's what I suggest with a freezer.<br /><br />I also freeze lunchmeats in 1/2 lb increments in the freezer. Then thaw as needed.Lennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17168913566031975259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-63157533075380952472009-06-10T06:52:55.374-05:002009-06-10T06:52:55.374-05:00I freeze butter, all cheeses, Go-Gurt, hot dogs an...I freeze butter, all cheeses, Go-Gurt, hot dogs and never have a problem with taste when I need it later on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-75078203374690939982009-06-10T05:44:34.974-05:002009-06-10T05:44:34.974-05:00A general rule - the more the water content of the...A general rule - the more the water content of the product you are freezing, the less likely it will be of the same texture when it thaws. An example: blocks of natural cheese freeze much nicer than processed cheese. good luck, hope this helps.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09668024027718985797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-79065797624370603442009-06-10T01:15:15.657-05:002009-06-10T01:15:15.657-05:00WOW!! What a great discussion. I have read everyon...WOW!! What a great discussion. I have read everyone so far and I have to agree..with most. I just have a couple of things to add. <br /><br />I love to freeze store bought bread, but when I moved to higher altitudes I found that it got mushy when I moved it from the freezer to the counter so when I need bread I put it in the fridge for a day before I move it to the counter. It seems to keep it from being mushy. <br /><br />(Got this one from my mom) She would take the juice from the canned fruit (store bought or home canned) and make popsicles out of it by putting it in ice cube trays with toothpicks. Put saran wrap over the tray and than poke the toothpicks through, that keeps the toothpicks straight up and down. <br /><br />The biggest tip I can think of is when you buy in bulk and separate it out, try to make everything about the same size packages and FLAT. This does two things: It makes it easier to stack (which increases your space) and the items in the bag will freeze evenly. <br /><br />Here's the best one I've found for Peaches so far: <br /><br />Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2008<br />Prep Time:20 min<br />Inactive Prep Time:2 hr 0 min<br />Serves:1 pound frozen fruit<br />Ingredients<br />• 4 ounces granulated sugar<br />• 1 teaspoon ground <br /> children's Vitamin C<br />• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika<br />• 1 pound peeled and pitted fresh peaches, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices<br /><br />Directions<br />Place the sugar, Vitamin C and paprika into a 1-gallon zip-top bag, seal and shake to combine. Add the peaches and toss to coat well. Lay the bag flat on a counter and using a straw, suck out any remaining air in the bag. Return to the freezer<br /><br />Love your site! AngieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-76655211196912441172009-06-10T00:21:34.820-05:002009-06-10T00:21:34.820-05:00Lisa
lettuce wil not be your friend if you freeze ...Lisa<br />lettuce wil not be your friend if you freeze it, think canned spinnage. I have had lots of great results freezing various dought bought or homemade.<br /><br />Allso all the people who pour out milk before freezing, maybe i'm just lucky but i have never done that and i have never had a spill or a cracked container.Idahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02392813012904438664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-55009667739981539302009-06-10T00:15:14.602-05:002009-06-10T00:15:14.602-05:00all right i have not read all the coments but I do...all right i have not read all the coments but I do not think snyone else mentioned this.<br /><br />One of my favorite things to freezeis peanutbutter and jelly sandwitches. I make about 2 loves worth at a time wrap them up in sandwitch baggies and label and date with a sharpie. These are great when putting together everyones lunches for the day surprisingly even my husband loves them, you could do this with ham and cheese and mustard and just add the fresh veggies in the morning before putting in the lunch box.<br /><br />i used masking tape on all my tubberweare but it often fell of, then i was introdused to freezer tape a few years ago and i still just as inlove as the day we meet. It stays n as long as you want it to even in the dish washer, oops, and comes of easy and clean when it is time.<br /><br />date and label everything, even the best of us will not remember if this particular leftover spagetti sause was the one with cheese allready mixed in 2 months down the road.Idahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02392813012904438664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-65001618485145070652009-06-09T23:05:25.896-05:002009-06-09T23:05:25.896-05:00things we freeze that I didn't see in other co...things we freeze that I didn't see in other comments:<br /><br />chopped herbs like parsley, basil, oregano in ziplock bags. <br /><br />popcorn kernels in original packaging.<br /><br />pumpkin pie fillingKareynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90368481587066337.post-30204455696602663032009-06-09T21:54:17.273-05:002009-06-09T21:54:17.273-05:00Sorry, that's
http://busycooks.about.com/libr...Sorry, that's<br /><br />http://busycooks.about.com/library/lessons/blfreezer.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com