Freezing Leftovers/Extras

limismith

As a "moderately extreme" couponer, I hate wasting food and money. And I like to stock up on things while they are on sale. And my spouse is away, so I struggle even more to finish an entire load of bread, or a batch of soup.

Any tips out there on how to freeze and store leftovers or extra food when a single package is too much? Or tips on what things YOU like to stock up on for a rainy/lazy day??

JulieSD

I feel that anything can be frozen, except cooked potatoes. They don't freeze well.

But I'll freeze anything else...I freeze fresh veggies all the time and use them to make soup base.

As for the lengths of time to freeze, I would google that.

LauraHasABabyJack

I use freezer bags for most things though I'd like to eventually switch to reusable containers- I freeze everything! I try to portion it out to either one serving size or one meal size per bag. Make sure you date and label as well because it's easy to forget what you've got.

mandasimba

Here is a list of some dates for freezing http://www.ziploc.com/ShelfLife/Pages/default.aspx

I just found it because I was going to link to the ziplock containers, as that is what I use to freeze/fridge most things. Love leftovers With a coupon and a sale, you can often get a pack of the containers for around $1!

surfrgrl1

I own a Food Saver. You can get great deals on them as it gets closer to Christmas. I use mine constantly to reseal packages (crackers, cereal, etc) to keep them from going stale. But, the features go way beyond....freezing fresh fruits and veggies, soups that can be reheated in the bag...
Here is a thread on sealers that came up a while back...lots of great ideas on its uses.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/375115-foodsaver?hl=food+sealer#posts-5112459

MrsNoir

When I find big packets of mince meat on offer .. I buy the load, separate it in small bags and freeze it by portions, like just the right amount I would use for a pasta for two, or for chilli con carne for two, or if I do only on individuals, then I defrost two if I feel like I could do with some more meat. As long as it's bought fresh, you should be able to divide it and freeze it.

Rice and potato don't freeze well.

I usually cook my own tomato sauce for pasta, and I do my own stock on that, one day I cook then I've got provision for the rest of the month. I also cook lentils and vegetable soup or white beans and vegetable soup and keep it in the freezer, having a baby is the best thing to do for those days when he doesn't allow me to cook a large meal for myself (hubby has lunch at work). I frost it in those take-away plastic containers in portions of one, and then defrost in the microwave for 5 mins and they are ready to eat!:D