12-13-09 FREEZER

I try to keep my freezer full at all times. If you have extra space in your freezer that means it has to work over time to keep cold. Save money on your electric bill by filling up that space with milk jugs or 2 liter pop bottles filled with water.

If you have a large chest freezer and find it difficult organizing things and being able to dig out things from the bottom try using crates to sit in the bottom and stack on one another.
________________________________________________

We try not to eat out for lunch. At supper time I try to make a couple extra
servings to put in the freezer for lunches. It's like making your own
microwavable entrees for a lot less than those found in stores and probably
more healthy for you without all the preservatives!

________________________________________________

I freeze everything I can if I know I can't use it right away.

For example I might find a good deal on milk for $1.00 a gallon.
I'll bring them home and store them in the freezer. When using
milk that's been frozen you want to make sure to shake the container
before using due to it possibly separating.
One time we got a ton of free Sunny Delights and froze them.
You may want to open and pour a small amount out so there is
room in the container for expansion when frozen so that it
doesn't leak everywhere.
_______________________________________________

Other things that can be frozen:
-Butter
-Juice
-Biscuits
-Flour
-Bread
-Cakes
-Milk
-Fruit Juice
-manager special meats that may expire in a day or two. Snatch those
up and freeze to extend it's life. I'm always stocking up on manager
specials. I get my meats for at least half price at kroger!

______________________________________________

I stock up on certain vegetable when in season and I can get them
for a great price. I'll chop them up and blanch them with hot water.
Then pack into freezer bags. When needed I'll toss them in soups,
casseroles, hash, omlets and so on.
-celery (chop up the leaves also)
-onions
-bell peppers
-tomatoes

Potatoes are a little bit trickier as they may turn brown when frozen.
I either boil them or fry them before freezing and add just a bit of
lemon juice to keep from turning brown. They don't taste as good
as fresh and may be a little mushy.
______________________________________________


Extras and leftovers

If I have leftover vegetables from supper I may start a large freezer bag to put them in. Then each time I have other vegetables I can keep adding to that same
bag until full. Once full you could make a vegetable soup or casserole dish.

I also save the juices/syrups off certain canned/jarred foods such as
fruits, pickles, hot peppers and so on. You could also do this with extra
fruit juice from the carton.
I'll take the liquids and pour into ice cube trays. Once frozen I will
remove them and store in their own freezer bags.
These are great for adding to soups and casseroles when needing a little
extra flavored liquid. Or when baking you may want to use the syrup or juice from
fruit to add to a cake mix, cookies or bread.
______________________________________________