Health concerns always revolve around when comes to eating frozen or packed food times. The preservatives involved in the preparation of frozen food may harm the health of the consumers. Thus, it is generally considered unhealthy. What if we can make our homemade frozen food without any added preservatives. This would be healthy and users can eliminate preservatives according to their will. Moreover, it will also enhance the nutritional quality of food without compromising the convenience of users. Here is a thorough guide to help you make your homemade frozen food. Some famous recipes are also included in this post to give you a gist of the process.
List of things you require to make homemade frozen meals
Storage containers are necessary to store the food. Majorly glass-based or reusable plastic containers are recommended to avoid problems related to microwaving. Also, choose leak-free containers. Glass containers usually have a longer life than plastic containers and seal perfectly. Apart from that, you will require freezer bags.
How to make homemade frozen meals
- The first and foremost task is to select the frozen produce.
- Flash-froze the selected products to prevent them from freezer burn.
- Cook the product (vegetable, meat, etc.) or pick pre-cooked protein options. In the case of meat, you don’t have to flash froze the produce as it can handle the freezer temperature.
- Mix the produce with starch.
- Add flavors.
- Soften the final product in the fridge overnight. To do so, keep the container in the fridge and thaw your food overnight. The meal must be frozen a day before reheat.
How to reheat homemade frozen meals
Once the homemade frozen meal is prepared, reheat it to serve. Users can do so through microwave or other traditional methods mentioned here.
Microwave:
- Use a microwave-safe glass bowl or ceramic bowl to put the frozen food. Keep checking the product every 90 seconds as every microwave works differently.
- Microwave your homemade frozen food on high heat for nearly 2-3 minutes.
Stovetop:
- Your homemade frozen food can also be heated up in a small pot or skillet. Put the required quantity of your frozen food into a pot.
- Break the food apart as tit may have stuck due to cold temperature. Warm over low-medium heat to make it fresh.
- Stir the content until it is completely hot and cooked inside out.
Some Outstanding Recipes
The process of making frozen food is almost the same. Regardless, there is a slight difference in recipes. Here are some recipes to make the healthiest and tastiest frozen food of your choice.
Pizza Meat Loaf Cups
To prepare preheat loaf cups, you will require 1 large egg, lightly beaten, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1-1/2 pounds ground beef, 1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese. You can also add basil leaves to add flavor to the meal.
Process:
- Mix 1 large egg, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, bread crumbs, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Preheat the oven to 375°.
- Add beef, then divide the mix into 12 portions.
- Each portion of the mix should be pressed into the bottom. After that, grease the sides of the muffin cup and add put cheese to the center.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the meat is thoroughly cooked.
How to freeze Pizza Meat Loaf Cups?
To have frozen meatloaf cups, freeze the loafs night before you want to use them. Thaw the cooled meat loaves partially. Microwave it until it is heated thoroughly.
Pork Sandwiches
- You would require Pork roast, a can of root beer, and a bottle of BBQ sauce of your choice to prepare instant Pot Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches.
- Put pork roast and root beer into a freezer bag. The best thing about the frozen root beer pulled pork sandwiches is that they can be used for nearly 90 days if frozen. Users just need to keep the freezer bag in the freezer, and it will last up to 90 days.
- When ready to use, take out ingredients from the bag and put them into a pot. After that, add one-third cup of water in the pot.
- Place the lid and turn the valve.
- Set the timer to 90 minutes.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are among the most demanded food products. However, you can make your frozen chicken nuggets within minutes and consume them whenever you want.
- To prepare homemade chicken nuggets, you will require corn flakes, grated Parmesan cheese, and basic ingredients like salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, eggs, chicken breasts, flour, etc.
- Now blend Cornflake’s cereal with a pinch of paprika
- 2) Slice the chicken into nugget pieces and cover them with flour, followed by an egg. Cover these pieces with Cornflakes. You can also use breadcrumbs.
- 4) Bake the final product at 350 for nearly 20 minutes.
- Let them cool, and then dump them in freezer bags for at least one day.
- Note: Do not freeze hot nuggets as they may contaminate the food.
- To reheat chicken nuggets, preheat the oven (375°F)
- Bake the frozen nuggets for nearly 10-15 minutes. As an alternative option, you can also microwave them for 60-90 seconds or until they are cooked inside out.
Tips to thaw freezer meals
Correctly thawing your food is one of the essential tasks, unless it would not transform into a healthy homemade frozen meal. The maximum range of meals takes nearly 24-48 hours to efficiently thaw in the fridge. Thus, it is essential to plan your meal accordingly. Moreover, if in any case, you forgot to pull the meal out of the freezer, use the “defrost” option present in your microwave to soften the product.
Note: Do not put the aluminum container in your microwave as it may lead to microwave damage.
Conclusion:
Frozen food has gained a vital place in the everyday lives of people. These meals are easy to prepare and do not take enough time. The frozen food industry is growing at a rapid pace, regardless of the concerns related to health. Even during the pandemic times, the demand for frozen food surged drastically due to its ease of use, long shelf life, and high nutrition. According to a research report by Astute Analytica, the global frozen food market is forecast to witness a substantial jump in terms of revenue in the coming years. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.55% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.
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