Milk is a staple in many homes (including ours!) We go through quite a bit at home for not only drinking, but for cereal, cooking, and my son's personal favorite - pudding. Did you know that you can freeze milk? You can! So when you see milk go on sale, pick up an extra! If you aren't going to finish the gallon in your refrigerator, no worries! Simply learn how to freeze milk!
There are a few things you need to know about freezing milk.
One, milk will expand when it is frozen. So you will need to pour some out (or into another container, or simply have a large glass of milk yourself!)
Two, the milk will separate when frozen. It's not a problem! Just simply give it a good shake!
So, exactly how do you freeze milk?
Pour about 3/4 - 1 cup of milk out. Put on the lid nice and tight! Milk will absorb the other flavors in the freezer so make sure the lid is on tight to avoid that. Then freeze. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Thawing is simple, put in the refrigerator. To speed up the process, place the milk in a sink full of cold water. Shake thoroughly.
Some tips on how to freeze milk.
The higher the fat percentage in the milk, the more it will separate when frozen.
Freezing half gallons of milk is easier than full gallons. Milk should be used in about 3 days after thawing, so the half gallon size is easier to manage. Also, it takes up less room in your freezer.
If your family doesn't like the taste of milk that has been frozen (personally, for my family there is not much of any difference) it's still great to use for cooking or cereal!
Showing posts with label Dairy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dairy. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Freeze Cottage Cheese
If you want to freeze cottage cheese, then you are in luck. You can freeze cottage cheese, however, it's a very soft cheese and doesn't freeze the best. But, if you want to use cottage cheese in casseroles or other baked dishes then it can be done no problem!
First, purchase the whole fat or large curd cottage cheese as it freezes better than the low fat options. You can freeze it directly in the container. Place the container into a freezer bag to help avoid any freezer burn.
Don't forget to label your cottage cheese! You can increase your cottage cheese's life by up to 6 months!
Thaw the cottage cheese by simply placing it in the refrigerator. After it is thawed, drain excess liquid. You can stir in a little bit of sour cream if you would like to keep it from being so dry. However, if you are using it to cook with it should be fine.
So yes, you can freeze cottage cheese! It's just one of the more tricky items to freeze!
First, purchase the whole fat or large curd cottage cheese as it freezes better than the low fat options. You can freeze it directly in the container. Place the container into a freezer bag to help avoid any freezer burn.
Don't forget to label your cottage cheese! You can increase your cottage cheese's life by up to 6 months!
Thaw the cottage cheese by simply placing it in the refrigerator. After it is thawed, drain excess liquid. You can stir in a little bit of sour cream if you would like to keep it from being so dry. However, if you are using it to cook with it should be fine.
So yes, you can freeze cottage cheese! It's just one of the more tricky items to freeze!
Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?
Question: Can you freeze Cream Cheese?
Answer: Yes!
So now the real question is HOW can you freeze cream cheese. It's really easy.
Put an unopened package of Cream Cheese in a freezer bag. Squeeze all of the air out and date your bag. You can extend the life of your cream cheese by 6 months by freezing it.
To thaw, simply put in the refrigerator over night.
The consistency of the cream cheese will change during the freezing/thawing process. After you thaw it will be a little crumbly. BUT you have a few options.
One, you can use it for cooking. When you use it for cooking (casseroles, dips, etc) it will taste just the same!
Two, you can put it in the mixer (or whip it by hand) for a few minutes to whip it. (This method will work some but not restore it to the original consistency.)
Or you can warm it up in the microwave stirring smooth. When it cools it will go back almost to the same consistency that it was before being frozen!
Answer: Yes!
So now the real question is HOW can you freeze cream cheese. It's really easy.
Put an unopened package of Cream Cheese in a freezer bag. Squeeze all of the air out and date your bag. You can extend the life of your cream cheese by 6 months by freezing it.
To thaw, simply put in the refrigerator over night.
The consistency of the cream cheese will change during the freezing/thawing process. After you thaw it will be a little crumbly. BUT you have a few options.
One, you can use it for cooking. When you use it for cooking (casseroles, dips, etc) it will taste just the same!
Two, you can put it in the mixer (or whip it by hand) for a few minutes to whip it. (This method will work some but not restore it to the original consistency.)
Or you can warm it up in the microwave stirring smooth. When it cools it will go back almost to the same consistency that it was before being frozen!
Can I Freeze Yogurt? YES!
Everyone must love yogurt because I get asked all the time "Can I freeze yogurt?" The answer is yes, yes, YES! In fact there are lots of different options that you have to freeze yogurt!
You can freeze it in the container, make Popsicles, make smoothie packs, yogurt bites, or freeze it for baking!
To find out more about all of the ways that you can freeze yogurt, make sure to read our full post on how to freeze yogurt here.
You can freeze it in the container, make Popsicles, make smoothie packs, yogurt bites, or freeze it for baking!
To find out more about all of the ways that you can freeze yogurt, make sure to read our full post on how to freeze yogurt here.
Can You Freeze Sour Cream? YES!
I get asked all the time "Can you freeze Sour Cream?" Yes, you can freeze sour cream! However, the freezing process does change the texture of the sour cream when it freezes. I recommend that you use your sour cream for baking. It will taste just the same!
So how do you freeze sour cream? Easy! First whisk the sour cream. Then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. If you want you can freeze it directly in the original sour cream container. Make sure you squeeze out as much air as possible. I personally, like to use my Food Saver and get all of the air out.
And since I only use my sour cream for baking I freeze it in 1/2 cup packages. That way I can just pull out the right amount for my recipe and I don't have to worry about the rest of the container going bad!
Don't forget to label your sour cream! You can keep it in the freezer for about 6 months.
Thawing is easy, just put your container in the refrigerator. You can whip a little bit of cornstarch to it if it needs to be thickened up a little.
So how do you freeze sour cream? Easy! First whisk the sour cream. Then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. If you want you can freeze it directly in the original sour cream container. Make sure you squeeze out as much air as possible. I personally, like to use my Food Saver and get all of the air out.
And since I only use my sour cream for baking I freeze it in 1/2 cup packages. That way I can just pull out the right amount for my recipe and I don't have to worry about the rest of the container going bad!
Don't forget to label your sour cream! You can keep it in the freezer for about 6 months.
Thawing is easy, just put your container in the refrigerator. You can whip a little bit of cornstarch to it if it needs to be thickened up a little.
Can You Freeze Yogurt? YES!
Yogurt is a great, healthy snack! But, can you freeze yogurt? The answer is yes! Freezing can extend the life of your yogurt by up to 6 months. So the next time you see some yogurt on sale or you simply can't finish what is in your refrigerator just know that you can freeze yogurt! In fact you have quite a few options!
How To Freeze Yogurt - Option 1
Since yogurt is not a solid, the freezing process can change the texture of the yogurt. But that doesn't mean it's bad! As a fun, cold treat turn that yogurt into Popsicles! You can put the entire container in the freezer and after it starts to freeze, add a Popsicle stick.
If you have a Popsicle mold you can use that!
If your kids like the yogurt in the tubes you can freeze it directly in there! For some reason the texture is not affected when you freeze it in the tubes! They can either eat it frozen or you can put it in their lunchbox and by the time lunch time arrives it will be thawed out and still cold ready for lunch!
How To Freeze Yogurt - Option 2
Another option for freezing yogurt is to make yogurt bites. Since you are making the yogurt in small quantities the freezing process doesn't change the texture as much (other than actually turning it into a solid!) Simply pour the yogurt into a piping bag (or just a plastic bag and cut a VERY small whole in the corner) and make small dots of yogurt on a piece of parchment paper. The dots will expand when they freeze. Put in the freezer. When they are frozen move to a larger bag for storage. Yogurt bites are a great snack to pull out of the freezer!
How to Freeze Yogurt - Option 3
If you like smoothies (and who doesn't?) make your own smoothie packs! Simply spoon yogurt into an ice cube tray. You can even add fruit to the yogurt if you would like! Freeze yogurt in the ice cube tray and once frozen, pop them out and store in a freezer bag or air tight container in the freezer!
You can also make up freezer smoothie packs by freezing the yogurt cubes and packing them with fruit, spinach, frozen fruit juice, etc. Then when you want a smoothie your pack is all ready to go!
How to Freeze Yogurt - Option 4
Yogurt is great for using in baking - especially Greek yogurt! You can freeze directly in the container (just remember yogurt expands when frozen!) To use, thaw in the refrigerator and stir well. The taste of your baked goods will taste the same as if your yogurt was never frozen!
So there you are! Can you freeze yogurt? Absolutely!
How To Freeze Yogurt - Option 1
Since yogurt is not a solid, the freezing process can change the texture of the yogurt. But that doesn't mean it's bad! As a fun, cold treat turn that yogurt into Popsicles! You can put the entire container in the freezer and after it starts to freeze, add a Popsicle stick.
If you have a Popsicle mold you can use that!
If your kids like the yogurt in the tubes you can freeze it directly in there! For some reason the texture is not affected when you freeze it in the tubes! They can either eat it frozen or you can put it in their lunchbox and by the time lunch time arrives it will be thawed out and still cold ready for lunch!
How To Freeze Yogurt - Option 2
Another option for freezing yogurt is to make yogurt bites. Since you are making the yogurt in small quantities the freezing process doesn't change the texture as much (other than actually turning it into a solid!) Simply pour the yogurt into a piping bag (or just a plastic bag and cut a VERY small whole in the corner) and make small dots of yogurt on a piece of parchment paper. The dots will expand when they freeze. Put in the freezer. When they are frozen move to a larger bag for storage. Yogurt bites are a great snack to pull out of the freezer!
How to Freeze Yogurt - Option 3
If you like smoothies (and who doesn't?) make your own smoothie packs! Simply spoon yogurt into an ice cube tray. You can even add fruit to the yogurt if you would like! Freeze yogurt in the ice cube tray and once frozen, pop them out and store in a freezer bag or air tight container in the freezer!
You can also make up freezer smoothie packs by freezing the yogurt cubes and packing them with fruit, spinach, frozen fruit juice, etc. Then when you want a smoothie your pack is all ready to go!
How to Freeze Yogurt - Option 4
Yogurt is great for using in baking - especially Greek yogurt! You can freeze directly in the container (just remember yogurt expands when frozen!) To use, thaw in the refrigerator and stir well. The taste of your baked goods will taste the same as if your yogurt was never frozen!
So there you are! Can you freeze yogurt? Absolutely!
Friday, January 10, 2014
Can I Freeze Cheese?
I was at Target the other day and found a great deal on cheese. A really great deal. Bricks of mild cheddar cheese for only $0.66 each! So I did what any other normal person would do - and I bought 6 of them. (Don't worry - I left some for other people!)
Now the expiration date was far off, but I decided to freeze. Wait - Can I freeze cheese? YES! Yes, you can freeze cheese!
How To Freeze Cheese
First, you need to choose the cheese you would like to freeze. Hard cheese will freeze better than soft. (Think, cheddar will freeze better than Brie.)
Freezing will change the texture of the cheese, but not the taste. Shredded cheese will freeze better than large pieces of cheese. For my mild cheddar that I picked up for a steal at Target I chose to shred it. We prefer sharp cheddar for things like sandwiches, but mild cheddar is perfect for casseroles or macaroni and cheese.
Simply shred your cheese and place into a freezer bag (or an air tight container). A normal store bought bag of shredded cheese contains 2 cups (8 oz).
When you need a bag of cheese for your dinner's macaroni and cheese or casserole just simply take out a bag and thaw in the refrigerator.
Don't want shredded cheese? That's ok - you can still freeze it! Cheese can become crumbly when it is frozen (which is why the shredded works out so great - the cheese is so small it's hard to crumble!). If you don't want shredded cheese, simply cut your cheese into slices before putting it into the freezer. Make sure you put a piece of wax paper between each of your cheese slices and place it into a freezer bag and freeze.
Again, it will need to be thawed in the refrigerator.
Your cheese will be good in the freezer for up to 6 months.
So they next time you are at the grocery store and you see a great deal on cheese don't be scared to stock up because now you know that you can freeze cheese!
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