Freezing and storing food
Maximum freezing capacity
To ensure that fresh food placed in the freezer freezes through to the core as quickly as possible, the maximum freezing capacity must not be exceeded. The maximum freezing capacity within a
Storing frozen food
When buying frozen food to store in your freezer, make sure to check:
–that the packaging is not damaged,
–the expiry date
–the temperature at which the frozen food is being stored by the shop. If the food is being stored at a temperature warmer than
^Buy frozen food at the very end of your shopping trip, and wrap it in newspaper or use a cool box or bag to transport it.
^Place frozen food in the freezer im- mediately upon returning home.
Never
Home freezing
Only freeze food that is fresh and in good condition.
Hints for home freezing
–The following types of food are suitable for home freezing: fresh meat, poultry, game, fish, vegetables, herbs, fresh fruit, dairy products, baked goods, leftovers, egg yolks, egg whites, and most
–The following types of food are not suitable for freezing: grapes, lettuce, radishes, sour cream, mayonnaise, eggs in the shell, onions, whole raw apples and pears.
–To retain colour, taste, and vitamin C, vegetables should be trimmed, washed, and blanched. To blanch, immerse the vegetables in rapidly boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. This can be done in small batches if you prefer. Remove (with a slotted spoon or colander) and plunge into a bowl or pot of ice water to cool quickly. Transfer to a colander and drain, then pack for freezing.
–Lean meat freezes better than fatty meat and can be stored for considerably longer.
–To prevent chops, cutlets, and steaks from sticking together in solid blocks, separate them with a sheet of plastic freezer film, parchment paper, or wax paper.
23
