10 Surprising Foods You Can Freeze

[pinto]

10 Surprising Foods You Can Freeze

You already know that the freezer is a good place to stow steak and chicken. But it works equally well for some far less obvious items.

Try freezing the following (you’ll find more detailed instructions by clicking on each item). You'll save money, waste less — and make cooking a lot more convenient.

• OPENED WINE: 6 months

Can't finish the whole bottle? Freeze leftover wine in ice cube trays and transfer to freezer bags. Great for cooking, in sauces, stews and the like.

• EGGS: 1 year

Crack open and mix in a touch of salt (if using for savory dishes) or sugar (for baking or desserts); place in freezer bags or airtight containers.

• BROWN RICE (UNCOOKED): 1 year

Brown rice has a higher oil content than white rice, so its shelf life isn’t nearly as long. But it’ll keep for several months longer if you freeze it.

• BUTTER: 6 months

Butter freezes well, so stash a stick or two in the freezer (leave in the original wrapping and place in a freezer bag) and you’ll always have some on hand when you need it.

• MILK: 3 months

If you’re constantly running out, freeze a backup supply in an airtight container. Thaw in the fridge and stir well before using — the texture may be a little grainy, but it's fine for cooking and usually okay for drinking.

• NUTS - INCLUDING PECANS, ALMONDS, WALNUTS: 1 -2 years (depending on the type)

Thanks to their high oil content, nuts are especially prone to going rancid. Freeze them and they’ll stay fresher longer.

• FRESH HERBS - INCLUDING BASIL, CILANTRO, PARSLEY: 6 months

Most recipes call for only a sprig of herbs, but you have to buy the whole bunch. Freeze what you don’t use in ice cube trays, covered with a bit of water, and then transfer to freezer bags.

• TOMATO PASTE: 3 months

Rarely do you need to use the whole can at once. Freeze dollops of leftover tomato paste on a cookie sheet or in ice cube trays and transfer to freezer bags for use in future recipes.

• BREAD: 3 months

If you can never seem to finish a whole loaf before it gets rock-hard or moldy, freeze it. Bread toasts just fine, straight out of the freezer.

• MAPLE SYRUP (100% PURE): keeps indefinitely

Sure, it’s more expensive than the imitation stuff. But pure maple syrup keeps forever in the freezer — so you’ll never have to waste a delicious drop.

http://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/33

[Freddie]

1. Thanks!

Never thought about freezing nuts. I'll buy walnuts or pecans for holiday baking and 6 months later will have to throw the remainder out as they develop an "off" taste. Now will freeze.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I always put nuts in the freezer as soon as I buy them.

They go straight from the freezer into whatever I'm making with them...no need to thaw. I buy those big packages of nuts at Costco.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

2. What is an unfinished bottle of wine?

[Mira]

7. Made me laugh, even before I saw your reply n/t

[rdharma]

3. Interesting..... tomato paste "ice cubes"......

Thanks for that site...... but one question.......

What is "leftover wine"? Is there such a thing?

[roguevalley]

4. thank you! keep them coming. I always use these tips. :D

[NJCher]

6. maple syrup

I just bought some and was unaware that it might go bad before I use it all. Wonder how I should package it for the freezer so I won't have to unthaw/freeze/unthaw/refreeze. Any ideas?

It is expensive, so worth a little extra effort to keep it as long as it lasts.


Cher

[Jenoch]

10. You can just put the maple syrup in the freezer in the

container in which it came from the store. Even in a glass bottle, the sugar will not freeze and expand like a watery liquid will. My nieces made homemade raspberry jam and put it into a glass jar (I think it was from peanut butter) and it's been in our freezer over a year because we don't eat much jam.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

8. Milk can be frozen,

But whipping cream cannot. You want to see "grainy", try freezing cream.

[Jazzgirl]

9. Thanks for the link!

I've been meaning to look for something like this.

[Jenoch]

11. I used to freeze tomato paste in the manner describe here.

That two step process did not seem necessary. I just put the tomato paste into a quart freezer bag and flatten it out and freeze it. When I need tomato past, I just break off as much as is needed.

[hobbit709]

12. I have several pounds of blackberries and raspberries in my freezer.