Comments on: Save Time and Money by Flash Freezing http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/save-time-and-money-by-flash-freezing/ One mother sharing her knowledge with others Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:07:35 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: mom2fur http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/save-time-and-money-by-flash-freezing/#comment-104 mom2fur Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:39:46 +0000 http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/?p=179#comment-104 I do this often! My best time is when I prepare appetizers for my Christmas eve dinner. It makes life so much easier to start after Halloween and just pull out the pre-made, frozen goodies when I need them. I also try to freeze at least one batch of dough balls when I make cookies--then you can just throw them in the oven when you want them. Meatballs freeze beautifully, too. In fact, so does French Toast and un-iced cupcakes. I never thought to divide my peppers and onions into little snack bags! Great idea! I do this often! My best time is when I prepare appetizers for my Christmas eve dinner. It makes life so much easier to start after Halloween and just pull out the pre-made, frozen goodies when I need them.
I also try to freeze at least one batch of dough balls when I make cookies–then you can just throw them in the oven when you want them. Meatballs freeze beautifully, too. In fact, so does French Toast and un-iced cupcakes.
I never thought to divide my peppers and onions into little snack bags! Great idea!

]]> By: supermom http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/save-time-and-money-by-flash-freezing/#comment-100 supermom Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:50:19 +0000 http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/?p=179#comment-100 Hello Andrea, Yes, I've frozen spinach and swiss chard. I've never tried to freeze fresh bok choy but I've frozen stir fries that I've used bok choy in. However, spinach and other greens shouldn't be flash frozen. You'll need to blanch it first. Wash the spinach/swiss chard. Trim off the long woody stem. Place in boiling water for 2 minutes and then transfer to ice water for two minutes. Remove from the water and drain on towels to soak up excess moisture. Then package into freezer bags or containers in the portion sizes that your family uses. When using in recipes... if you don't want to add more liquid, as say in a quiche, thaw the spinach completely and then squeeze out as much liquid as you can before adding to the rest of the ingredients. Hello Andrea,

Yes, I’ve frozen spinach and swiss chard. I’ve never tried to freeze fresh bok choy but I’ve frozen stir fries that I’ve used bok choy in.

However, spinach and other greens shouldn’t be flash frozen. You’ll need to blanch it first. Wash the spinach/swiss chard. Trim off the long woody stem. Place in boiling water for 2 minutes and then transfer to ice water for two minutes. Remove from the water and drain on towels to soak up excess moisture. Then package into freezer bags or containers in the portion sizes that your family uses.

When using in recipes… if you don’t want to add more liquid, as say in a quiche, thaw the spinach completely and then squeeze out as much liquid as you can before adding to the rest of the ingredients.

]]> By: Andrea http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/save-time-and-money-by-flash-freezing/#comment-99 Andrea Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:52:53 +0000 http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/?p=179#comment-99 I hadn't thought about green peppers. Do you ever freeze spinach or bok choy? Does it work well? I hadn’t thought about green peppers. Do you ever freeze spinach or bok choy? Does it work well?

]]> By: supermom http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/save-time-and-money-by-flash-freezing/#comment-98 supermom Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:28:56 +0000 http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/?p=179#comment-98 Hi Momstheword, I don't bother thawing the peppers or onions. I just drop them into whatever recipe that I'm making. For fruits, it would depend on what I'm using them for. If it's a topping for a dessert then I try to remember to get them out and let them thaw in the fridge. If I forget I'll put them in the sink with a bit of water. I try not to use the microwave because if I happen to pick the wrong setting or for too long, they start to cook. Of course, if I'm using them in a recipe that might not be too much of a problem. But meats and poultry I do defrost to speed up the cooking time. Hi Momstheword,

I don’t bother thawing the peppers or onions. I just drop them into whatever recipe that I’m making.

For fruits, it would depend on what I’m using them for. If it’s a topping for a dessert then I try to remember to get them out and let them thaw in the fridge. If I forget I’ll put them in the sink with a bit of water. I try not to use the microwave because if I happen to pick the wrong setting or for too long, they start to cook. Of course, if I’m using them in a recipe that might not be too much of a problem.

But meats and poultry I do defrost to speed up the cooking time.

]]> By: momstheword http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/save-time-and-money-by-flash-freezing/#comment-97 momstheword Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:19:32 +0000 http://supermomnocape.wordpress.com/?p=179#comment-97 That's a great idea. I was thinking of doing that with onions but didn't think about green peppers. Sure would save time too. Do you thaw them in the microwave or in hot water before using them? I use a straw to suck the air out. I just leave a small enough opening for the straw and that seems to work pretty well. That’s a great idea. I was thinking of doing that with onions but didn’t think about green peppers. Sure would save time too. Do you thaw them in the microwave or in hot water before using them?

I use a straw to suck the air out. I just leave a small enough opening for the straw and that seems to work pretty well.

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