Freezing Cooked Food

A selection of meals stored in your deep freeze can be such a help, especially when catering for the unexpected guest or on occasions when you may have to go away, leaving family to look after themselves. Remember to label all such meals clearly with the date, contents and reheating instructions.

Meals such as casseroles and stews, etc should be partially thawed for at least 1 hour before reheating in a moderate oven (350ºF, gas number 4). The time allowed for reheating will vary depending on the quantity. A meal size for 6 usually takes 1 hour if partially thawed first.

Freeze pies in aluminum foil pie plates for convenience. They may be frozen baked or unbaked. Cooked pies naturally take less time to heat through. Once again, preheat your oven (400ºF, gas number 5) with a baking tray in place. Place the frozen pie onto a hot baking tray. Bake for 35-40 minutes. The direct heat will seal the pastry base before the filling thaws out, so preventing a wet base.

Soup may be frozen easily. Freeze in meal size portions. Heat the soup slowly without thawing before serving.

Important points:

1. Always use rice flour to thicken gravy, sauces, stews, casseroles, etc., as ordinary flour or corn flour tends to separate on thawing. Gravy should not be stored for too long because of its high fat content.
2. Remember your deep freeze has a tenderizing effect on all food, therefore only partly cook any vegetables to be included in dishes to be frozen.
3. White potatoes do not freeze well, so omit from frozen stews and casseroles.
4. Development of poor flavors is often caused by flavoring such as onion (in large quantities), herbs, spices and wine, so it is wiser to add these after thawing.
5. Always make sure meals are completely cold before packaging to freeze, as warm meals placed into freezer cause condensation and loss of quantity.

Whenever possible use tinfoil or aluminum foil dishes for storing pre-cooked meals in your freezer, as these can be used to reheat meals in a hurry without thawing. This is straight from freezer to oven and adds 20 minutes to reheating time. Alternately, there is a type of 'temperature-resistant' casserole on the market which may be taken straight from the deep freezer and place immediately in a hot oven.

Daphnie is a food lover who has been involved in food industry for 10 years. She learned the easy and simple way cooking style from her mother and grandmother. She prefer to have the home make cooking style instead of outside food. She knew how much housewives will appreciate the recipes. Special thought has been given to the speed and ease of preparation to streamline cooking chores whenever possible to the minimum. Not only are these dishes attractive, they really are simple and speedy to make. Test and try out any of these dishes and you will agree that as well as being entirely successful, they all live up to our claim that they are not only delicious but quick and easy to prepare.

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Healthy Eating - Kids Meals - Slow Cooked Meals All Kids Will Love

Slow cooked meals are an excellent choice for busy families with fussy kids to feed. Any meal where we consume the liquid the vegetables and meat was cooked in increases the level of nutrient we take in. When we boil or steam food much of the nutrient value is discarded in the water. Meals cooked in slow cookers, casseroles, Stews and Soups provide the added benefit of consuming the nutrient rich liquid.

Some nutritionists say the opposite is true because when food is overcooked the enzymes are broken down and nutrient value is lost. Considering alternative Fatty "Take Away" options for busy families with young children the Nutrient value comparatively is quiet high.

Hard vegetables such as carrots, broad beans, canned kidney beans, sweet potato, turnip and parsnip are ideal vegetables to use in a slow cooker, as the slow steady cooking process will leave them tender and more appetising. Softer vegetables can be added half way through cooking to reduce them breaking down too much.

Older meats such as Mutton or Tough cuts of beef can be good options to use in a slow cooker for similar reasons as mentioned above. The slow cooking process breaks down gristle and leaves the meat tender and flavoursome.

Many softer vegetables break down to almost unrecognisable portions in a slow cooked meal. This is a good way of using vegetables that kids often prefer not to eat.

In addition to traditional Stews, Soups and Casseroles, Slow cookers can be used to cook Roasts and can also be used to cook cakes, bread and deserts that all kids will enjoy.

An excellent slow cooked main meal that kids will love can be made by mixing:

300g diced beef (lean stewing or casserole steak is fine)
1 Cup chopped carrot
1 Cup chopped potato
1 Cup chopped celery
Half a cup chopped sweet potato
Half a cup chopped turnip
1 Large finely chopped onion
1 Cup peas
Half a teaspoon curry powder
Pinch of salt
Corn Flour
1 Cup of Water

Combine all ingredients except cornflour in a large slow cooker. Cook until meat is soft to the point it pulls apart easily. Mix cornflour with sufficient water to forma paste and add to pot. Cook for a further 30 to 45 minutes and serve with crusty bread drizzled with olive oil. Creamy mashed potato is also an ideal accompaniment to serve with this.

The above recipe is obviously just a basic option. You can include any and many variations to suit your families' individual tastes.

Any herbs should be added as a garnish or in the last hour of the cooking process.

Eric J Smith describes himself as being "Passionate about Organics". He is committed to Educating people on the importance reducing the chemical load on our bodies and the Environment. Eric is Married and has 2 Children. Eric and his wife Narelle represent Miessence Certified Organic Skin Care, Cosmetics, Home & Nutritional Products. www.buy-organic-products.com.

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Healthy Eating - Kids Meals - Slow Cooked Meals All Kids Will Love

Slow cooked meals are an excellent choice for busy families with fussy kids to feed. Any meal where we consume the liquid the vegetables and meat was cooked in increases the level of nutrient we take in. When we boil or steam food much of the nutrient value is discarded in the water. Meals cooked in slow cookers, casseroles, Stews and Soups provide the added benefit of consuming the nutrient rich liquid.

Some nutritionists say the opposite is true because when food is overcooked the enzymes are broken down and nutrient value is lost. Considering alternative Fatty "Take Away" options for busy families with young children the Nutrient value comparatively is quiet high.

Meat Casseroles

Hard vegetables such as carrots, broad beans, canned kidney beans, sweet potato, turnip and parsnip are ideal vegetables to use in a slow cooker, as the slow steady cooking process will leave them tender and more appetising. Softer vegetables can be added half way through cooking to reduce them breaking down too much.

Older meats such as Mutton or Tough cuts of beef can be good options to use in a slow cooker for similar reasons as mentioned above. The slow cooking process breaks down gristle and leaves the meat tender and flavoursome.

Many softer vegetables break down to almost unrecognisable portions in a slow cooked meal. This is a good way of using vegetables that kids often prefer not to eat.

In addition to traditional Stews, Soups and Casseroles, Slow cookers can be used to cook Roasts and can also be used to cook cakes, bread and deserts that all kids will enjoy.

An excellent slow cooked main meal that kids will love can be made by mixing:
300g diced beef (lean stewing or casserole steak is fine) 1 Cup chopped carrot 1 Cup chopped potato 1 Cup chopped celery Half a cup chopped sweet potato Half a cup chopped turnip 1 Large finely chopped onion 1 Cup peas Half a teaspoon curry powder Pinch of salt Corn Flour 1 Cup of Water

Combine all ingredients except cornflour in a large slow cooker. Cook until meat is soft to the point it pulls apart easily. Mix cornflour with sufficient water to forma paste and add to pot. Cook for a further 30 to 45 minutes and serve with crusty bread drizzled with olive oil. Creamy mashed potato is also an ideal accompaniment to serve with this.

The above recipe is obviously just a basic option. You can include any and many variations to suit your families' individual tastes.

Any herbs should be added as a garnish or in the last hour of the cooking process.

Healthy Eating - Kids Meals - Slow Cooked Meals All Kids Will Love

Eric J Smith describes himself as being "Passionate about Organics". He is committed to Educating people on the importance reducing the chemical load on our bodies and the Environment. Eric is Married and has 2 Children. Eric and his wife Narelle represent Miessence Certified Organic Skin Care, Cosmetics, Home & Nutritional Products. www.buy-organic-products.com.

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