When it comes to cooling and storing your cooked meals, there are some easy tips that can help keep your food safe and tasty. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Use Shallow Containers: After cooking, put your food in smaller, shallow containers. This helps it cool down faster. For example, a hot lasagna in a deep dish takes a long time to chill, but smaller portions cool quickly!
Ice Bath: For soups or stews, you can use an ice bath. Just fill a big bowl with ice and some water, and place your container in it. This can help your food cool down a lot quicker.
Refrigerate Quickly: Try to put your leftovers in the fridge within two hours after cooking. If it’s super hot outside, above 90°F, you only have one hour!
Label Everything: Always write down the date and what’s in your containers. This way, you know what you have and when you cooked it. Trust me, I’ve played “guess the mystery stew” too many times!
Use Freezer-Safe Containers: If you plan to freeze your meals, use containers or bags that can go in the freezer. This helps keep your food from getting freezer burn and taste stale.
Leave Room for Expansion: Remember, liquids expand when frozen. So don’t fill your containers all the way to the top. A little space prevents spills and messes.
By following these tips, I’ve learned how to save time in the kitchen and keep my meals safe and delicious! Meal prep can be easy when you know the best ways to cool and store your tasty creations.
When it comes to cooling and storing your cooked meals, there are some easy tips that can help keep your food safe and tasty. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Use Shallow Containers: After cooking, put your food in smaller, shallow containers. This helps it cool down faster. For example, a hot lasagna in a deep dish takes a long time to chill, but smaller portions cool quickly!
Ice Bath: For soups or stews, you can use an ice bath. Just fill a big bowl with ice and some water, and place your container in it. This can help your food cool down a lot quicker.
Refrigerate Quickly: Try to put your leftovers in the fridge within two hours after cooking. If it’s super hot outside, above 90°F, you only have one hour!
Label Everything: Always write down the date and what’s in your containers. This way, you know what you have and when you cooked it. Trust me, I’ve played “guess the mystery stew” too many times!
Use Freezer-Safe Containers: If you plan to freeze your meals, use containers or bags that can go in the freezer. This helps keep your food from getting freezer burn and taste stale.
Leave Room for Expansion: Remember, liquids expand when frozen. So don’t fill your containers all the way to the top. A little space prevents spills and messes.
By following these tips, I’ve learned how to save time in the kitchen and keep my meals safe and delicious! Meal prep can be easy when you know the best ways to cool and store your tasty creations.