Freezing Tips

By Amy Hunt

A wonderful thing about casseroles is that many of them can be made ahead of time and kept in your freezer. Just double the batch and you'll have dinner for a busy night 3 weeks from now.

However, if you don't take the time to freeze your foods properly they will sadly go to waste. That lovely gremlin we call freezer burn loves to creep up and take over your food before you know it. Freezer burn happens because food will become dehydrated in a freezer if it is not properly wrapped.

Another misfortune that can take place in you freezer is the lack of labels. Unlabeled foods will slowly build up until there is an entire shelf of impenetrable food hidden in tin foil and freezer bags.

As long as you follow the rules, your freezer can be a real team player in your kitchen. It never hurts to brush up on what those rules are. Here are the Freezing Tips from the Basics of Cooking Lesson Series on about.com.

• Your freezer temperature should be below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to check the temperature.
• Use microwave safe plastic wrap if you plan to thaw or cook the frozen food in the microwave.
• Freeze in smaller portions so the food cools faster and thaws faster for best quality.
• Freeze in thin portions.
• You can freeze ingredients for a casserole in individual packets (chicken, vegetables, cheese), and then place the smaller packets into one large bag. Label well, including thawing and baking instructions, then freeze.
•  Line casserole dishes with heavy-duty foil before assembling. Fill casserole, freeze, and then remove foil wrapped food and seal in ziplock heavy-duty freezer bag. Place in original container to thaw and bake.
• Remember that freezing will not improve foods; it will just keep them at their original freshness and quality. Freeze only top quality foods.

FOOD	STORAGE TIME	SPECIAL TIPS
BREADS, MUFFINS	Up to 1 month	Cool completely before freezing. Do not frost. To thaw, loosen wrap and let sit at room temp 2-3 hours. To heat, wrap in foil, reheat 350 degrees 15-20 minutes. Heat frozen waffles without thawing first.
SANDWICHES	Up to 2 weeks	Don't make sandwiches with jelly, mayonnaise, cooked egg whites or raw veggies (especially lettuce). Choose peanut butter, cream cheese, meats, shredded cheeses, grilled and cooked veggies. Spread bread with a very thin layer of butter before layering.
FROSTED CAKES	Up to 3 months	Buttercream frosting freezes well. Custards and egg white frostings do not. Cool completely. Place unwrapped cake in freezer to harden frosting before wrapping. Thaw loosely covered overnight in fridge.
UNFROSTED CAKES	Up to 6 months	Cool completely before freezing. Place cakes, especially angel and chiffon, in cake container to avoid crushing. Thaw, wrapped, at room temperature 2-3 hours.
CUSTARD PIES, CREAM PIES, MERINGUES	Do not freeze well	Not recommended
UNBAKED FRUIT PIES	Up to 3 months	Before filling, brush bottom crust with egg white to prevent sogginess. Add extra tablespoon of flour to filling. Don't cut vent holes in pastry. Cover with inverted pie plate until firm. To bake, unwrap, cut vent holes, bake at 425 degrees 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees, bake according to recipe until center bubbles and crust is brown.
BAKED FRUIT PIES, NUT PIES	Up to 4 months	Cool completely before freezing. Cover with inverted pie plate until firm. Wrap well. To heat, unwrap, bake at 325 degrees for 30-45 minutes until warm.
COOKIE DOUGH	Up to 3 months	Wrap well. Let thaw in refrigerator overnight before baking unless the recipe states the frozen dough can be baked. Shape into cookies before freezing for fastest baking.
BAKED UNFROSTED COOKIES	Up to 1 year	Cool completely, wrap well in layers in freezer container and freeze. Thaw, wrapped, at room temperature. For crisp cookies, thaw unwrapped at room temperature.
BAKED FROSTED COOKIES	Up to 2 months	Freeze uncovered on cookie sheets until cookies and frosting are firm. Then stack in layers in freezer container, wrap well and freee. Thaw, wrapped, at room temperature.
BUTTER	Up to 9 months	Freeze in original packaging, placed into heavy duty freezer bags. Thaw in refrigerator or in microwave.
MILK, CREAM	Difficult to freeze unless whipped	Milk, cream and light cream will separate Whipped heavy cream will freeze well. Place dollops on cookie sheet, freeze until firm, then place in bags and freeze. Let thaw in refrigerator.
UNCOOKED EGGS, EGG SUBSTITUTES	Up to 6 months	If freezing yolks separately, add 1 tsp. sugar or salt per egg yolk, depending on end use. Make sure to mark what you added!
COOKED EGGS, MAYONNAISE	Do not freeze well	Not recommended
VEGETABLES	Up to 6 months	Blanch before freezing. Remove as much air as possible from package before freezing. Vegetables with lots of water like salad greens and tomatoes do not freeze well. Do not freeze deep fried vegetables.
FRUITS	Up to 6 months	Up to 1 year Freeze loose small fruits in single layer on cookie sheet until firm; then package in airtight freezer bag or container and freeze. Thaw in refrigerator.
SAUCES	Up to 3 months	Most sauces will separate after being frozen. If mixed with other ingredients, freezing quality will increase. Sauces with cornstarch and cheese lose quality fastest. Leave some head space for expansion when freezing in plastic containers.
CASSEROLES	Up to 3 months	Cornstarch sauces can be frozen when mixed with other ingredients in a casserole. Slightly undercook casseroles, as they will finish cooking during reheating.
SOUPS	Up to 6 months	Cool completely, skim off fat. Place in rigid plastic containers, leaving 1/2" head space for expansion.
MEATS	Fresh: 1 year Cured: 1 month	Do NOT refreeze thawed meats. If you thaw frozen meat, cook it in some form, then it can be refrozen. Cured meats should be frozen for just one month. Do NOT freeze stuffed chicken or turkey. Make sure to reform ground beef into thin patties before freezing for quick thawing.
FISH	Up to 3 months	Wrap tightly in heavy duty freezer wrap or plastic bags. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before cooking.
COOKED PASTAS	Up to 2 months	Cooked pastas lose quality when frozen. Undercook and freeze in a sauce for best results. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

* DVO welcomes your kitchen hints and cooking or nutrition questions! Email us and we'll post your hints and Q/A's in upcoming newsletters! *