FOOD savers FOOD savers
Save money – Waste less
Did you know that in the same way that we often take a shopping list when we go shopping and never look at it, we often put food in the freezer and forget it is there!! The freezer is our friend when it comes to saving money, time and food waste so the following tips are an invaluable way to help make the most of the freezer and not take it for granted. Why not cut them out and keep them handy?
Tip 1
Organize your freezer into sections such as Bread, Meat and Fish, Ready Meals, Veg and Desserts. Label the drawers so you can find something quickly when you need it. You will also be able to see what is in each section so nothing gets forgotten.
Tip 2
Keep a freezer list and note things down as you put them in the freezer; cross them off when you take them out – that way you will be able to see at a glance the things that have been left in the freezer for a long time!
Tip 3
Save space in your freezer. Use the smallest possible containers. Freeze liquids in bags which you freeze flat and remove any unnecessary packaging making sure to remove any cooking instructions first.
Tip 4
Is your freezer like a Mystery Tour? We all have those unknown packs of food lurking at the bottom of the freezer drawers. Label packets and containers with date and contents to avoid unwanted surprises when you defrost food.
Tip 5
You can freeze foods right up to the end of the use by date. So keep an eye on the foods in your fridge and check whether fresh foods could be frozen when you shop. Place any food which you won’t get round to eating in the freezer to use later.
More ideas for
left-overs to freeze......
Broccoli puree
If you have lots of leftover broccoli, add a little milk to make a puree. Freeze it in small portions ready to defrost and serve as a sauce for fish or chicken or as an original vegetable. It tastes creamy and isn’t fattening!
Egg whites and yolks
Eggs can be frozen successfully, but separately. For whites, make sure you label how many there are in each container. Leave whites to thaw naturally. They are ideal for making meringues: allow 50g caster sugar per white.
Pasta Soup
Defrost leftover pasta and add it to soups to make them more substantial.
Quick Cook
Cut chicken breasts into strips before freezing, open freeze, then pack into bags, they can be quickly added to stir fries and cooked from frozen.
Useful websites:
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/keepingfoodsafe/storing
West Sussex County Council does not accept any responsibility for the content of these sites.
