These tips will allow for easy food preparation at home, so you can enjoy delicious meals with your family, while keeping your food safe and your family healthy.
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Packaging:
When packaging your meals make sure 95% of the air is pressed out of the container/bag.
Leave some room in the bag for liquids to expand as they freeze. Make sure bags are zipped tight and lids are securely attached. Labeling:
All meals will be labeled with name of meal; date meal was made, and cooking directions.
Although freezing food keeps it safe for long periods of time, it is recommended that the food be eaten within a few months for food quality purposes.
When packaging your meals make sure 95% of the air is pressed out of the container/bag.
Leave some room in the bag for liquids to expand as they freeze. Make sure bags are zipped tight and lids are securely attached. Labeling:
All meals will be labeled with name of meal; date meal was made, and cooking directions.
Although freezing food keeps it safe for long periods of time, it is recommended that the food be eaten within a few months for food quality purposes.
Freezing Tips:
- Place the rectangular foil pans on the shelf first then place the zip loc bags on top of the foil pans.
- Keep the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. This is the optimal temperature for retaining nutrition, flavor and texture.
- For best results, store frozen foods no more than 60 days
- Do not freeze 2-3 items immediately. Keep them in the refrigerator to have throughout the week.
Thawing
Tips:
- Do not go directly fro m the freezer to the oven, unless the cooking directions specifically call for this.
- Another option that could be tried is to soak the items in cold water or run cold water over the item. Make sure the food is in a sealed bag that will not leak.
- Microwave thawing is not optimal since the food starts to cook while thawing.
- Never thaw dishes by leaving them on a counter top. This supports bacterial growth and can lead to illness.
Cooking
Tips:
- Follow the cooking instructions provided. Internal temperatures of all foods need to reach the temperature listed on the cooking instructions.
- While cooking the food item, take the opportunity to check the spice levels and see if anything else may need to be added, like a dash of pepper or salt. Season to your families' tastes.
- Give sauces a good stir while cooking. Gravies and sauces tend to separate during the freezing process.
- Do not cook any of the foods in the zip loc
freezer bags and do not microwave any food in the foil
pans and/or zip loc bags.
