Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: KatieV on February 13, 2011, 04:42:24 am
-
Hi,
I've been taking advantage of lots of local farmers markets in our area recently, but this has also raised a few surplus food stuff issues.
So I thought that I would start a topic to see what people have has success & failures with in freezing.
I got a huge box of tomatoes and have made soup and relish, but I was wondering can you simple freeze whole tomatoes raw, without cooking or blitzing beforehand? They would be handy when making up a tomato sauce etc to just get out what you needed, when you needed. I usually have tomatoes on hand, but these are used for DH's and my lunch, so I wanted to keep a frozen stash for cooking.
I have had success with garlic cloves being frozen, also with mint/basil leaves, egg whites.
I've just picked up some red onions today and wondered if you could freeze these, given their high water content??? Would it be best to quarter before freezing???? Any thoughts, experience would be gratefully received.
Thanks,
Katie
-
Hi Katie, I have frozen tomatoes before, but I tend to skin them first, weigh them and write on the bag the weight. I have also frozen onions when they were cheap, especially when you want to make tom chutney and need lots of onions, they always seem expensive at that time, you can blanch them before freezing, but only quickly, I froze my last lot without blanching, but havn't used them yet and they did tend to make the freezer smell, whereas the blanched ones didn't seem to do that so bad. I sliced them and again weighed them and put them in 1kg lots. I also freeze stone fruit, especially as they seem to come at christmas time here in Adelaide, just when you are busy doing christmas stuff, so I de-stone them, again weigh and freeze, then when you are not so busy they are there ready for you. Good to hear you can freeze garlic, do you need to treat it before freezing? Cheers.
-
I freeze tomatoes whole, skin and all (as we have huge gluts when we grow them) and use them for sauces, soups and stews. If you need the skins off, they actually slip off quite easily when they are frozen and just starting to thaw
-
PP, I have frozen garlic successfully - just peel it and keep it in a ziplock bag. Dad used to grow his own sweetcorn & tomatoes, both were frozen fresh from picking with no blanching. The sweetcorn was cooked later in its frozen state.
-
Good to hear about the tomatoes-I've got lots from the garden at the mo.
I grate zuchinni in the thermomix and then freeze it in the size quantities I use for quiche, zuchinni bread etc. Works fine in these recipes at least.
Look forward to hearing what else I can freeze :)
-
I freeze my veggie stock concentrate. I find in my freezer because of the salt it doesn't freeze solid and I can just scoop it out of te jar. As I use 100gm of salt instead of 150-200gm, it sometimes goes mouldy in the fridge - especially during summer when I don't use as much. I don't freeze but pickle beetroot when it is plentiful and store the jars in the outside fridge. Bananas get frozen as does watermelon (cut into cuks) if we don't eat it in time.
-
Thanks for all the good advice.
PP as JD has advised, I simply peel fresh garlic (I purchase in bulk) and put into a zip lock bag. So easy when you need a clove, just grab out of the freezer. There is so much fresh produce going at such good prices at the moment that it's good to stock up. Who knows what impact all the flooding in QLD & VIC will have on our produce prices?
Thanks Earth Mumma for the watermelon tip. I have a huge batch in the fried that I'm struggling to get through and didn't think to freeze as I thought it would come out too mushy.
I also freeze my dried yeast (JD, I know you do this too). Freezing the veggie stock is also another handy tip I've picked up from this forum.
I made cinnamon scrolls yesterday (from a recipe on this forum) and they also freeze well. Simply reheat for 10sec.
-
Good to know about the garlic I freeze chillis
-
Hi I freeze
banana
berrys,
mulberrys
passionfruit
chopped up leeks
chopped onions
beans (blanched)
vege stock concentrate
mangoes sliced up
bell chilies
muffins
fruit cakes
juices
Robyn
-
I freeze almost anything. If I am unsure I freeze a bit overnight and see.
-
Has anyone frozen ginger? I thought if you peeled and cut in into thin circles it might be ok.
-
I wrap my fresh ginger in paper towel then place it in a ziplock back and it keeps in the fridge for 3 weeks or same method and freeze, slice it still frozen or grate as needed.
-
It's a great idea, saves wastage.
There are hints on this website about other foods too http://foodwise.com.au/?s=freezing
-
Thanks ladies Judy you are a wealth of information interesting website thank you
-
I keep my ginger in a jar of sherry in the fridge. Keeps for yonks. I then use the gingered sherry in risottos or salad dressings.
-
Consider how to use your ginger and keep it too. ;D
The "Profit" in the title of this topic (http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?/topic/125796-growing-ginger-for-fun-profit/page__p__1690229__hl__growing+ginger__fromsearch__1#entry1690229) is tongue-in-cheek.
This topic has my post about how I grow ginger. (http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?/topic/104761-growing-and-storing-ginger/page__p__1436697__hl__growing+ginger__fromsearch__1#entry1436697)
If you don't use it often, "storing" it in a plant pot in a sunny window will give you a pretty plant and more ginger.
In most of OZ you should be able to grow it outside most of the year.
When stored in a pot, in loose, very sandy soil, you can just pull the entire plant up, break off how much you need and stick it back in the pot. If you use it more often, have 3, 4 or ? pots and rotate the use. Once established, they will keep growing, just cut the tops back when they get about 18 inches tall.
The only time I buy ginger is when I need to make more than one large batch of candied or crystallized ginger in a short period of time.
-
Thanks for that info Andie. I have some ginger that I bought recently and was going to freeze it, but I might plant some instead!
I freeze loads of stuff too.
Kaffir Lime Leaves,
Egg Whites
Wine - stuff I don't like only.
Fresh Bread Crumbs
Crumble Topping
Stewed fruit
Watermelon & Mango chunks for sorbets
Whole Bananas for cakes and muffins
Cooked rice,
Cooked gravy
Cooked meals in foil containers
etc etc!
-
I've planted 3 or 4 lots of ginger. One is about 2 foot high and the others are battling with the heat as they are only small. I do hope I can get some ginger as most of what you buy is all shrivelled.
-
I've planted 3 or 4 lots of ginger. One is about 2 foot high and the others are battling with the heat as they are only small. I do hope I can get some ginger as most of what you buy is all shrivelled.
Do you have any way to shade it?
-
I think the question should be, what does not freeze well
For me its soy milk to use in coffee
Mascarpone cheese to make tiramisu
Hard boiled eggs (whole) to add to meat loaf
-
andie do you think you could grow ginger in europe...i have no problem in the warmer months with most plants but I find putting pots inside during hte winter and the fire going most plants dont like that environment and wondered if there is no point trying ginger??? would appreciate your advice..
also I find most dairy products dont freeze well including cream cheese although harder cheeses freeze fine...
-
andie do you think you could grow ginger in europe...i have no problem in the warmer months with most plants but I find putting pots inside during hte winter and the fire going most plants dont like that environment and wondered if there is no point trying ginger??? would appreciate your advice..
also I find most dairy products dont freeze well including cream cheese although harder cheeses freeze fine...
earlier in this topic I posted a link to this page (http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?/topic/125796-growing-ginger-for-fun-profit/page__p__1690229__hl__growing+ginger__fromsearch__1#entry1690229) where the eG member who lives in Ontario, Canada describes and has a photo of her experience.
Ginger rhizomes grow mostly sideways so you don't need a really deep container. It does take longer for the rhizomes to grow but they will eventually reach a useful size.
Meanwhile, it is a good way to "store" the ginger you buy, rather than have it shrivel up and be useless.
-
thanks andie ;D
-
I have just made Tenina's lemon curd and wonder if I can freeze half since I do not know how long it will remain fresh in the fridge...have placed half in dry dishwasher washed glass jar.
-
yes you can courton ;D
-
:) :) :)Thanks Uni...did the bay walk this week but did not have time to drop into the restaurant.
-
DH runs the bay every week day (weather permitting) i am not at the restaurant during the day and only on some nights.
my DS sub leases his restaurant during the day, to much work to do breakfast lunch dinner, any time you want to catch up for a coffee or dinner just let me know ;D
-
Will be lovely to catch up... Will let you know :) :) :)
-
Ive made far more guacamole than we can eat tonight. Can I freeze it?
-
Ive made far more guacamole than we can eat tonight. Can I freeze it?
You can buy frozen Avos at the supermarket, so i would say yes. I would cover the surface well with plastic.
-
have you already added the tomatoes to it EmeraldSue ?
-
Yes . Big tasty one from the garden!
-
Never seen frozen avocados Chookie. I just had a bit of a search about this and they say to add some extra lime or lemon juice on top of it, get as much air out of the packet as possible (use a straw if you don't have a vacuum sealer) and thaw in the fridge. They also say it is better to leave the tomato out as that goes watery when thawed. Worth a go as you are going to waste it anyway if it isn't all eaten today.
-
Since I had nothing to lose, I've put it in a ziplock bag, labeled it and put it in the freezer.
When I want to use it, I'll defrost it in the fridge and add a fresh avocado and coriander to it.
Thanks for your advice.
-
I defrosted the guacamole last night. It was very grey looking when I took it out of the freezer. I added half an avocado, some chopped tomato, and some fresh lime juice. My family didn't realise that it had been frozen and ate it without any comment. Personally, I prefer it freshly made, but when pressed for time it's perfectly OK.
-
I have too much thickened cream. Does anyone know if it freezes OK?
-
Cream is fine to freeze if it will be used in cookin later, tho I'm not sure if you want to whip it or whatever... check out Uni's freezing list:
http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=9778.0
-
I have too much thickened cream. Does anyone know if it freezes OK?
GHM have you made butter yet ? my DS gave me about 2lt of out of date cream yesterday and i have just made butter
yes u can freeze cream to use in cooking or to make butter ,i know JD whips it 1st then freezes it
-
Yes, that's right Uni - whip then freeze and it is quite OK.
-
Yes , you can freeze cream. Thaw in fridge, make sure you stir back the buttermilk which separates out, before you whip it.
-
I have avocados frozen.
Cream works too
-
When freezing bananas do you put them in whole or peel and cut them up into chunks?
-
I've been peeling mine and freezing them whole - that's worked for me but chopping them before freezing I think is a good idea :)
-
Thanks, GF. I've never frozen them before and just wanted to make sure that peeling and cutting wouldn't discolour them or anything like that.
-
I slice and freeze, making sure they are in a thin layer in a zip lock bag so that I can take out as many or as little as I want.
-
peel, slice and freeze bananas :) all the time, perfect
-
The bananas do discolour but it doesn't seem to matter. I love to use them for instant icecreams.
-
Mmm... banana ice cream. A winner. My husband who can't have dairy has said that alone has made the cost of the thermomix worthwhile (I killed our other blenders making it for him, not to mention how much effort and time it took!).
-
Have you seen this recipe (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=2996.0) posted by Quirky Cooking Persistenttiger that uses bananas. :)
-
I know you can freeze egg whites for meringues.
Can you freeze egg yolks at all.
I have 11 dozen eggs. :) If so how long for..
-
According to the net, freezing egg yolks is not as easy as freezing egg whites as the gelatinous nature of the yolks causes them to thicken or gel when frozen. To help retard this, beat in either 1/2 teaspoon of salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar or corn syrup per 1/4 cup of egg yolks (approximately 4 yolks).
Ensure you label the yolks according to whether they were mixed with salt or sugar so you know whether to use them for savory dishes (salt) or sweets and desserts (sugar).
With your continuous supply of eggs though Robyn, I can't see the point in freezing them - when will you ever need them?
-
I just don't like waste.
I gave 5 dozen away last week.
I try and cook, and use as many as I can.
I can try and freeze some.
Thanks Judy.
-
It's a great idea, saves wastage.
There are hints on this website about other foods too http://foodwise.com.au/?s=freezing
Hi Judy - I can't seem to get this link to work . . .
-
It has obviously been changed GF so I have found it again and changed the link - try this (http://foodwise.com.au/?s=freezing) now.
-
Hi Judy - thanks very much for taking that trouble - much appreciated!! :D
-
Thanks Judy :)
-
try selling them Robyn or give them away to the school canteen
-
Can't sell them Uni, you get fined up here. :)
I just gave my sister 2 doz today, my neighbors 2 dozen yesterday.
Just have to keep baking,
-
wish you lived near me! we can easily go through 3 doz a week.
I second giving some to a school canteen - they will really appreciate it. Or a foodbank? Most of the food you get from them is packaged I think - there would be people who would really appreciate it.
-
I know there are a few cafes in Sydney now that accept produce from locals (eg excess herbs or fruit they have grown in their garden) and offer them free coffees in return. Could you trade your eggs for some coffee at a local cafe Robyn?
-
I have a coffee shop next door to me at work, i could ask about a trade.. :)
-
I give most of my eggs away. I don't expect anything in exchange but people give me what they grow or make. I also have collected egg recipes that use a lot of eggs. I like to use an egg wash on my bread and make Italian wafers that use 12 eggs. Make lemon curd , lots of eggs. Make pasta with eggs, and ice cream.