Errors to avoid when cooking frozen foods
Whether fruit, vegetables or meats, you will want to be sure to prepare for the right way.
Frozen food are perfect to have on hand when you needheat something quickly When you are too drained to cook after a long day of work, and they are useful for doingmeal meal a breeze. With theLonger lifeThey last for a moment in the freezer, so you do not need to rush to use them before spoiling. And frozen foods are also quite nutritious, where manyfrozen vegetables, fruits, andmeat Have proteins, fibers and other essential nutrients that can get something clean, balanced and delicious on the table.
Yet you can make some common mistakes when you keep, cook andPrepare your frozen foods.
To help you in the kitchen, we have rounded 15 Meshaps to monitor so that you can avoid these frozen food errors. You will not want to compromise the flavor and texture of your dish or eliminate the nutritional value of these foods, right?
Error: Do not thaw and drain certain vegetables
"Spinach, for example, retain a lot of fluid when frozen and therefore transferred this fluid in which you add it," saysKelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN. Although it can work when adding the freezer to soups or stews, it can provide a less desirable texture for other meals, such as eggs orSpinach artichoke dip. In these cases, thaw and tap the liquid before using or cook the liquid.
Error: Do not use the oven or fryer air
So many frozen vegetables can be grilled in the oven or air fryer, including broccoli, cauliflower and green beans to name a few, so do not limit yourself to the stove or microwave. "They are actually my main methods of preparation because they offer a clear texture with a hands-free cooking method," says Jones.
Error: Exceed vegetables
This may seem against intuitive because they are much colder temperature, but frozen vegetables often cook faster than fresh vegetables. "It's actually an advantage when it comes to preparation time, but if you do not look at them on the stove, you may lose the flavor, texture and nutrients," says Jones.
If you are looking for a meal inspiration, make sureSubscribe to our newsletter for daily recipes and new foods in your inbox!
Error: Defrost frozen bays too long
While they taste good when you plan to add them to a dish likeNight oats, the bays often do not have pleasant texture when defrosting the fridge. "Be aware of this and do not let them thaw it partially if you plan to use them as a trim or autonomous snack," says Jones.
Error: Cook all your frozen vegetables
"It can come like a surprise, but a frozen cabbage and a butternut squash make delicious additions tosmoothiesSo that you can enjoy your vegetables in a creamy smoothie, done in seconds, "says Jones. Do not hesitate to leave these raw!
Error: Add excess water during cooking on the stove
Keep it simple - if you really want to add water, go with just splash. "You will get a much better texture and can even keep more nutrients if you cook your vegetables in an olive oil or some grass butter for the flavor," says Jones. The use of fat will even help you better absorb soluble nutrients in fats.
Error: Use only frozen fruits in smoothies
Do not limit your frozen fruit! "I like to use frozen bays to make a dense nutrient filling forPancakes and waffles. Simply add to a saucepan and reduce over medium heat with maple syrup splash, vanilla extract and pinch of salt, "says Jones. Once it becomes thick is done.
Error: Do not seal the bag correctly after use
Freezing burns is real and it does not only have a texture, but also the taste. "If you can not clip the closed bag with confidence without leaving the air enter, place in a zipper bag or a glass storage container," says Jones. This will help you seal.
Error: Defrosting fruits too fast
"The frozen fruits are fabulous in a smoothie, but if you want to use it in its unblocked form, avoid discomach too quickly," says Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN and author ofThe package packed protein breakfast club.
The best way to prepare frozen bays that you plan to use in dishes that are not mixed is to place them in a covered container and let them deflate the night in the fridge. In this way, most juices remain in the fruit.
Error: Microwave frozen fruit
"It is tempting frozen fruit microwaves such as a mixture of berries, but if you are not careful, you find yourself with a fruit soup," says Harris-Pincus. Resist the desire and go with a different method, like the defrost in the refrigerator.
Error: Do not clean the microwave after use
If you have a meal with frozen fruits and vegetables as well as meat, you must make sure to clean meat spills before putting the product. It is a microwave error of fruits or vegetables after your meat microwave without warping any juices this could be left in the microwave, "says Maggie Michalczyk, MS, RD. It could lead toCross contamination, then it is better toClean the area during microfuille Articles from different food groups. (If you need some indications,It's the way without disorder to clean up your microwave!)
Error: Defrost meat or fish on the counter
"Defrost meat, fish or poultry on the counter can be dangerous due to uneven degradation and the required time," says Jones. At the time the food is out, the bacteria can form and the uneven cooking is more likely to occur. If this is the case, bacteria will not be killed effectively and you could get sick.
Error: Defrosting meat or fish in the microwave
"Thawing meat fish or cooking poultry in the microwave will lead to an adverse eating texture, as well as uneven thawing," says Jones. If you thaw in the microwave, make sure you use the defrost setting to cook it correctly.
Error: Thaw the meat or fish under warm water
If you thaw your meat fish or poultry in hot water, you can end up with the same unequal thaw as possible on the counter except for a more dramatic degree.
"Deconstall under fresh running water or filling a large bowl with cold water and leaving the object to sit (in its plastic packaging), to be spilled and filled every few minutes , "Says Jones.
Error: Defrosting some frozen foods
Twist Twist: Degradation can be an error with some foods! "Fish, chicken and preform hamburgers can be cooked frozen until you pay attention to the temperature guidelines," says Jones. So, check these first before defrosting unnecessarily.