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Michaela
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| Posted: Aug 31 2009 at 1:41pm | IP Logged
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A few threads have me wondering what can be frozen for conveniece of easy prep? Also, pointers on defrosting. I've frozen cupcakes to make tea time easier, HOWEVER they tasted very tough when we defrosted them (in micro).
So, what do you freeze to make life easier (not meals, but other items)?
I've had success with cookie dough. Would pie dough work? maybe even roll it out then freeze
we talked about eggs
how about baked items -- does everything defrost well and taste good? or are some things better than others?
I really want to try the poundcake idea. Counter top defrost or?
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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*Lindsey*
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| Posted: Aug 31 2009 at 1:48pm | IP Logged
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Every baked good that I've frozen I've always defrosted on the counter. Quick breads, muffins, cupcakes, etc.
Pie dough works. I usually freeze it in a ball, defrost on counter, and roll it out.
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Michaela
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| Posted: Aug 31 2009 at 1:52pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, Lindsey. I've been using the microwave to defrost baked goods.  After the bad results, I just stopped trying to freeze them.
I'll try again. 
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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JodieLyn
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I have a friend that freezes pie crusts in teh pie plate and then she pulls them out and fills.. I think she will take them out after they're frozen and stack them together seperated with parchment.. so that you can make a bunch and still have your pie plates to use.
I like chopping onions and freezing them.. then when I'm wanting to toss something together in a hurry I have "fresh" onion (rather than dried or pwd) to toss in a pan right from the freezer. Also bell peppers.. and of course if I'm doing that I do it when they're as cheap as possible 
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*Lindsey*
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| Posted: Aug 31 2009 at 2:08pm | IP Logged
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I love the onion idea!
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Servant2theKing
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| Posted: Aug 31 2009 at 2:25pm | IP Logged
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Freezing prep ingredients is one of my favorite kitchen shortcuts! It's so simple to cut or chop ingredients for several meals all at once and it makes cooking so much easier!
~Frozen "balls" of pie dough are actually nicer to work with than "fresh" dough...just microwave on defrost for about 30 sec. before rolling the dough. I like to make up lots of dough and freeze it for pies during the holidays, along with a few extra batches for pot pies!
These all freeze well:
~Browned ground beef.
~Chopped onion, celery and green pepper.
~Chopped or shredded carrot.
~Sliced zucchini and summer squash.
* I like to layer chopped or shredded ingredients for soups together in one freezer container
~Frozen chopped fresh chives are wonderful...take them out of the freezer, sprinkle on whatever you like, they thaw quite quickly. Really nice for cottage cheese, in sour cream for potatoes, or for the inside of grilled cheese. If you're blessed with chives, or other herbs, in your garden, be sure to freeze some!
~We froze fresh blackberries, blueberries and strawberries as we picked them this Summer...they all worked beautifully for jams and jellies later. Frozen blueberries are great for muffins...no need to thaw before adding to batter. Great ingredients for smoothies too!
~Quick breads and muffins freeze quite well.
~We seem to have a lot of mis-cut pieces of homemade bread when various family members slice it...those just get cut up and added to the freezer "bread bag" until we have enough for stuffing or baked French toast.
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JodieLyn
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oh and shred and measure your zucchini for making zucchini bread.. that's so nice to get whiel it's cheap (free!) and have zucchini bread all winter.
The onion and bell pepper and hmmm the celery? will seperate after it's frozen.. so you can freeze a whole bag and then just grab what you want to use out of it.
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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: Aug 31 2009 at 3:18pm | IP Logged
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Servant2theKing wrote:
| Freezing prep ingredients is one of my favorite kitchen shortcuts! |
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Me too! Here are some of my faves:
--Onions. I do this too, though I actually saute mine with garlic and olive oil, let cool, and then freeze in one-onion portions. Ready to toss into a pie plate and top with eggs and cheese for a quiche, mix into ground beef for hamburgers, etc.
--Cooked meats. Pre-browned ground beef is ready to fill enchiladas or add to some cans of tomatoes for an easy pasta sauce. Baked and shredded chicken is a good filling for quesadillas or a quick casserole.
--Breads, muffins, cookies. I defrost on the counter and they always thaw just fine. Great for unexpected company!
--Chopped, steamed veggies. Carrots and zucchini freeze well and then are ready to throw into a soup or dress up for a quick side dish.
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mimmyof5
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So last year my dd was given a huge bag of onions; in an effort to make sure they didn't go to waste, I diced and froze them. Later, when I opened the freezer, it smelled like onions. Did I do something wrong? I do love having them on hand to grab.
Janet
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: What can you freeze? (easy prep)
