CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 11/16/17

Cook ahead and freeze holiday meals and treats

By Elizabeth L. Andress

Picture yourself stress-free during the holidays because you prepared and froze holiday meals and treats in advance. Freezing prepared foods allows you the satisfaction of homemade meals with the convenience of store-bought ones.

Keep these tips from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension in mind when freezing prepared foods.

Freezing will not improve the texture, flavor or quality of food. It simply acts to preserve the quality of the food. Therefore, you should only freeze high-quality products. After cooking the food you plan to freeze, cool it quickly to maintain the safety of the food.

Package foods for the freezer in moisture-vapor resistant materials to prevent freezer burn. Clearly label each package with the name of the food, ingredients, packaging date, special instructions and the amount of food. Package foods in amounts you will be able to use at one time.

Freeze food as soon as it is packaged and sealed and place it in the coldest part of the freezer. Research the ingredients ahead of time to see what foods do not freeze well. Reference UGA Extension’s recommendations at  www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/freeze/dont_freeze_foods.html.

When the time comes to thaw your stash of frozen meals, several options are available. Remove frozen food from the freezer and immediately place it in the oven for thawing and heating (as long as it is in a freezer-to-oven safe container). Some foods are best thawed and heated using a double boiler.

Foods that contain fish, meat, eggs or other high protein ingredients should be thawed in the refrigerator or microwave. To ensure the safety of your food, do not allow these potentially hazardous foods to stay in the temperature danger zone (40-140 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than two hours.

Breads, cakes and cookies that are precooked may be thawed at room temperature. Reheat all prepared foods, except non-meat baked goods, sweets and fruits, to at least 165 F quickly, within two hours.

To keep homemade food on your dinner table without all of the stress and hassle, plan ahead and freeze prepared foods. For special instructions on preparing and freezing food, visit www.uga.edu/nchfp/publications/uga/FreezingPreparedFoods.pdf.

Elizabeth L. Andress is a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension food safety specialist with the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Authors:
Elizabeth L. Andress
Experts/Sources:
Elizabeth L. Andress
For a less stressful holiday, prepare and freeze holiday meals and treats in advance. Freezing prepared foods allows you the satisfaction of serving homemade meals with the convenience of store-bought ones, says University of Georgia Professor and Extension Food Safety Specialist Elizabeth Andress.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time to spend more of the holiday with guests, taking time ahead of the day to set expectations can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. CAES News
Manage holiday stress with kindness, boundaries 11/21/24 Maria M. Lameiras
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Much like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time allows you to spend more of the holiday with guests, setting expectations ahead of the celebration can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science.
goldenlatte CAES News
UGA researchers develop ‘instant’ version of trendy golden milk latte 08/21/24 Jordan Powers
Nestled among cappuccinos and traditional espresso lattes, a unique, golden-hued beverage has grown increasingly popular on cafe menus over the past several years. Advertised as a caffeine-free, healthy coffee alternative, “golden” turmeric milk is a take on haldi doodh — a traditional Indian beverage often used as an at-home cold remedy. Now researchers at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences have developed a new method to make a plant-based, instant version of the beverage.
The caterpillar relies on its appearance to deter attackers and, when disturbed, it aggressively twists and writhes on the ground to defend itself. In its final, less terrifying form, the regal moth displays autumnal-colored wings in shades of deep orange with gray stripes and yellow spots. (Art by Jay B. Bauer) CAES News
Unveiling the fearsome hickory horned devil 10/25/23 Emily Cabrera
With a name that conjures the spookiest Halloween imagery, the hickory horned devil (Citheronia regalis) caterpillar is a marvel of nature's creativity, boasting a fearsome-looking appearance that is both off-putting and intriguing. This time of year, unsuspecting passersby may have the rare chance to spot this spectacular caterpillar as it drops from trees.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) saw an increase of 620% in website access and 270% in requests for home food preservation validated recipes from March 2020 to 2022. CAES News
Can you save money by preserving food at home? 05/08/23 Carla Luisa Schwan
Interest in preserving food can be driven by several factors, ranging from the pursuit of a hobby or recreational activity to continuing a family tradition to saving money. But does preserving food at home really save money? There are several variables involved, including the availability of raw materials such as produce and ingredients, equipment, resources and time.
December Nights and Holiday Lights will take place at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah on select nights from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24. CAES News
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens holiday lights exhibit returns Nov. 25 11/24/22 Amanda Budd
The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm, operated by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, will soon be spreading holiday cheer with their December Nights and Holiday Lights event in Savannah. On select days from Nov. 25 to Dec. 24, visitors can view nearly 5 acres of the gardens lit up for the holidays.
To help create a less stressful holiday meal, University of Georgia Extension specialists offer these tips. Plan ahead. Don't go it alone. Resist the urge to buy new things or try new recipes. Set realistic expectations for family affairs. Consider a seating chart. Remember, the traditional turkey your family has always enjoyed will round out your holiday meal much better than a half-frozen, half-cooked, deep-fried turkey would. CAES News
Five tips to stress less over the holidays 11/22/22 Alexis Roberts, MaryBeth Hornbeck
Does the stress of preparing for the holidays hit you like a sledgehammer? Are you Googling new recipes the night before the feast to find the perfect sides? Does a relative want Grandma’s cornbread stuffing instead of the Stouffer’s you had planned to prepare? Let’s face it: The holidays may look picture-perfect on social media, but in reality, they may not be so full of harmony and smiles.