The freezer is great for storing ice cream, leftovers, meat, and more but cooks at Radwyn Apartments know another use: freezing food ahead of time to enjoy later. You can make soups, stews, even pasta dishes in advance, place in a microwave-safe container and freeze. You'll have a home-made frozen meal any time you're in a rush or don't feel like cooking.
But make sure you follow these tips from the FDA's website to keep your frozen food safe:
Properly store frozen food
Always make sure food is cooked properly before freezing and your freezer is at the proper temperature. To prevent bacteria from growing, freezers should be kept at 0° F (or -18° C). Make sure meals and leftovers are stored in the right container. Containers should be airtight. Always follow the cooking instructions on any frozen food when heating.
Keep the freezer cold
Once a week check the temperature of the freezer. It's easy to do with a simple thermometer kept in the freezer at all times. If the freezer is not at 0° F (or -18° C), make sure to adjust. It's also a good idea to do the same thing for your refrigerator.
Prevent freezer burn
Freezer burn does not make food dangerous to eat, although it may make it taste less good. Freezer burn is caused when air gets into the container the food was stored it. As long as the food was originally cooked properly and heated following the cooking instructions, it's still perfectly safe to eat, according to the FDA.
Learn more about food safety and proper food storage at the FDA's website.
