Freezing food... Planning ahead...

[goin2befit]

I love Linda's Low Carb Menu and Recipe site... and she does mention that things can be frozen. I know myself and I have to have things right there when I need them. I have never really frozen cooked food so was wondering if someone could give me some guidance.... (I ALSO DO NOT MICROWAVE) so with that in mind, what kind of containers is good or can I just place in aluminum foil and freeze it?

Also say I cook a batch of chicken legs and thighs... once cooled, how long can they keep in the refridgerator or should I just freeze them.

I'm thinking of cooking my meals once a week for my snacks and lunch... then dinner just eat with the family like normal, except varied to Low Carb or just take something for myself out of the freezer...

Any tips, thoughts.?

PS Thanks Linda for the great recipes!!!

[ThinSoon]

Re: Freezing food... Planning ahead...

I love Linda's Low Carb Menu and Recipe site... and she does mention that things can be frozen. I know myself and I have to have things right there when I need them. I have never really frozen cooked food so was wondering if someone could give me some guidance.... (I ALSO DO NOT MICROWAVE) so with that in mind, what kind of containers is good or can I just place in aluminum foil and freeze it?

Also say I cook a batch of chicken legs and thighs... once cooled, how long can they keep in the refridgerator or should I just freeze them.

I'm thinking of cooking my meals once a week for my snacks and lunch... then dinner just eat with the family like normal, except varied to Low Carb or just take something for myself out of the freezer...

Any tips, thoughts.?

PS Thanks Linda for the great recipes!!!

Not sure my suggestion will help since I microwave my foods. Its my basic option at work. I put in plasticware and freeze. Since most of my food is made on Sunday, its usually gone by the end of the week. I try to be prepared with two of Linda Sue's recipes in the freezer. You could just put the items in individual containers and take out of the freezer and reheat in the oven in a pie plate, I bet that would work!

I don't know about chicken, I'm leary on it so if I know I'm not going to eat it in 2 days I usually just put in the freezer.

Hopefully someone more in the know will chime in!
Tracey

[Fletch]

Re: Freezing food... Planning ahead...

....mention that things can be frozen. I know myself and I have to have things right there when I need them. I have never really frozen cooked food so was wondering if someone could give me some guidance.... (I ALSO DO NOT MICROWAVE) so with that in mind, what kind of containers is good or can I just place in aluminum foil and freeze it?

I'm thinking of cooking my meals once a week for my snacks and lunch... then dinner just eat with the family like normal, except varied to Low Carb or just take something for myself out of the freezer...

Any tips, thoughts.?

Strange to tell someone how to freeze but if you don't know - how can you know!

To freeze you need to buy "Freezer bags". Regular ziploc will allow moisture in. If you put a container in the freezer it's a temp soloution, you need to defrost within a couple weeks.

You can freeze anything. Best not to leave for more than a month or two. If something's in the fridge and you know you won't eat it before it goes bad, freeze it, even if only for a day or two, at least it won't go to waste.

To defrost: place in sink and turn cold water on trickle. Otherwise leave it in the fridge for a couple days until unfrozen. Don't leave on the counter, if you forget, it could get ruined.

[transypodge]

Re: Freezing food... Planning ahead...

I'd add that you should be sure to date everything! Freezer bags have a little place to write. If I don't date my frozen food, I'll pull it out months later and think, geez, this could be a year old already...I have no clue!!

[Desertthorn]

Re: Freezing food... Planning ahead...

Don't leave on the counter, if you forget, it could get ruined.

Yeah, someday I might tell the story about the fish I forgot and then couldn't find what the heck was stinking so badly.

Fletch said that you can freeze anything and that is right, but some things like milk or cream break down funny and don't thaw very well, so thats why Linda's sight said you can freeze or not freeze
It's a great way to do this plan. Foil will also work if you want to cook in the same foil or warm the food up in the oven. Just make sure it's well wrapped with no holes as freezer burn can happen and make it taste nasty.
They also have plastic freezer bowls of various sizes that will work but you can't cook in them.
You can keep cooked food in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days, you can freeze it for a month or so, depending on what it is and how well its wrapped

[goin2befit]

Re: Freezing food... Planning ahead...

Thanks so much... I know it seemed silly to ask, but if you don't know, well, that is about the only way to know...

SO thanks. It seems that the aluminum foil would work best for things that are messy and that the freezer bags would be good for prepared chicken, ect.

I have always wanted to prepare ahead just b/c I'm a SAHM and it seems I cook all the time and would just love to take a night or two off from time to time.

Thanks again.