Here are instructions for freezing some foods you may have never thought of freezing:
Eggs
Mix the yolks and egg whites together, and pour into an ice cube tray. Two cubes are the equivalent of one large egg.
Milk
Store in its original container, but pour out enough milk to allow for expansion – approximately a cup per gallon of milk. Thaw in the refrigerator, and shake well before using.
Butter
Store in its original container. Thaw in the refrigerator to use.
Bananas
Freeze in peel. Then, simply thaw and peel to use in smoothies and breads. Note: the peel will turn black, but that won't effect the quality of the banana at all.
Celery
Wash and chop to desired size. Then, flash freeze on a tray, and transfer to a freezer bag or another air-tight container. To use: add the frozen celery directly to soups or other heated dishes.
Tomatoes
Wash thoroughly. Then, freeze whole and unpeeled on a tray. Transfer to freezer bags once fully frozen.
**More About How to Freeze Tomatoes 1 (Below)
Fresh Herbs
Chop finely. Then, place in an ice cube tray along with a small amount of water. To use: simply drop frozen cubes directly into heated dishes.
Did You Know? Herbs aren't the only thing that you can freeze in an ice cube tray: More Clever Uses for Ice Cube Trays 2(Below)
Nuts
Freeze (either in shell or shelled) in a freezer bag or another air-tight container.
Zucchini and Other Squash
Wash and chop to desired size. Then, blanch for three minutes; allow to cool; and freeze in an air-tight container.
Apples
Freeze whole or chopped, peeled or unpeeled.
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Freeze tomatoes when they're in season, and you'll never have to settle for those pricey, mealy orbs that they try to pass off as tomatoes during the winter.
To Freeze:
Wash thoroughly. Then, freeze whole and unpeeled on a tray. Transfer to freezer bags once fully frozen. http://hallosushant.blogspot.com/
OR
Wash and remove the ends of the tomatoes. Blanch; remove the skins; and freeze whole in bags.
OR
Wash and remove the ends of the tomatoes. Then, blanch; chop and freeze in bags.
Just choose the method that works best for you, and freeze away.
Tips:
1. Frozen tomatoes should be used in cooked recipes only. Freezing changes the texture and makes them too soft for eating raw.
2. Freeze some tomatoes whole and chop others to accommodate a variety of recipes.
Clever Uses for Ice Cube Trays
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Do you have a stack of ice cube trays sitting unused in a cabinet or drawer? Then, put them back to work with these clever ideas:
1. Store Baby Food
Homemade baby food is great for baby, and easy to store when you freeze it in an ice cube tray. Fill each compartment to the top with your pureed blends, and freeze. Then, take out the desired number of cubes at mealtime. http://hallosushant.blogspot.com/
Not sure how much baby should eat?
Here's an easy guide:
4-6 months = 2 cubes
6-9 months = 4 cubes
9-12 months= 6 cubes
Note: These numbers are estimates based on store-bought food sizes.
Always consult your doctor to determine how much your baby should be
eating.
2. Freeze Spices
Do you grow your own spices? Then, freeze some for use during the winter months. Fill the compartments of an ice cube tray with your spices and just a bit of water. Then, thaw a cube any time you need to season a dish.
Note: If you'll be using your spices in a heated dish, there's no need to thaw. Just drop your cube directly into the pan, and proceed with your recipe. http://hallosushant.blogspot.com/
3. Freeze Leftover Eggs
Have a recipe that calls for egg yolks? Don't ditch those egg whites! Freeze them instead. They can be stored in an ice cube tray, and thawed when needed.
4. Make Popsicles
You don't need a fancy popsicle mold to make your own popsicles. Just fill an ice cube tray with juice, pudding or mashed fruit. Then, cover with foil, and poke a popsicle stick through the foil and into each compartment.
5. Freeze Leftover Stock or Sauces
Have a bit of soup stock, tomato juice or sauce leftover after you've prepared a meal? Ice cube trays are the perfect way to store it. Just fill a tray with your leftovers, and freeze. Then, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag once they're completely frozen.
How much liquid does a cube hold? One ice cube is generally the equivalent of one ounce or two Tablespoons.
Here are some conversions to help you determine how many cubes you'll need to use in a recipe:
2 cubes = 1/4 cup
4 cubes = 1/2 cup
6 cubes = 3/4 cup
8 cubes =1 cup
6. Freeze Leftover Wine
Having difficulty finishing off that bottle of wine? Then, pour the extra into an ice cube tray, and save it for use in a future recipe. Just pop the desired number of cubes into a pan, and heat; there's no need to thaw them out before use.
7. Use as a Candy Mold
Want your homemade chocolates to look professionally made? Then, use an ice cube tray as a candy mold, and all of your confections will be uniform in size.
8. Use as a Soap Mold
Designate an ice cube tray for craft use, and create melt-and-pour soaps that are the perfect size for a guest bathroom or gift giving.
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Lucky enough to have an apple tree or access to cheap apples?
Here's how to freeze them for year-round use:
Option 1: Wash the apples thoroughly. Then, freeze whole and unpeeled on a tray. Transfer to freezer bags once frozen.
Option 2: Peel, core and slice apples to desired size. Then, freeze on a tray, and transfer to freezer bags once frozen.
Option 3: Peel, core and slice apples to desired size. Then, sweeten with sugar and spices to use as pie filling. Freeze in pie plates. Then, transfer to freezer bags once frozen. To use: simply drop the frozen apples into a pie crust; cover them with dough and cook.
(Note: you'll probably need to increase the bake time for your pies )
To Avoid Browning: Dip the apple slices in lemon juice, salt water or an ascorbic acid solution prior to freezing. You can also, pack them in sugar syrup, or blanche them for one and a half minutes to stop the enzyme action that causes browning.
Tips:
1. Frozen apples can be used to make apple butter, apple sauce, pies, cakes, baked apples and other baked dishes
2. Since freezing changes the texture of apples, they are not as well suited for eating raw
3. Some spices lose their potency when frozen, so you may find that it works best to add your pie spices just prior to baking
4. Freeze some apples whole and chop others to accommodate a variety of recipes.
By Erin Huffstetler, About.com
From: www.frugalliving.about.com