advice on freezing things please

[KarenH]

My oldest DS is starting school today, and so we begin years of packed school lunches 

I would like to cook in advance and freeze things like muffins, rolls, mini quiches etc etc, but I am not sure what is the best way to freeze these things without getting "freezer burn" and lots of ice collecting on them in the freezer, which turns them to mush when they thaw.  I have no trouble freezing soups, stews, casseroles etc ..... more the cakes, bread, muffin, pizza, pastry type things.

Any suggestions gratefully accepted!

[DizzyGirl]

Karen I usually just pop them into a zip lock bag. I only make enough for one week at a time. Or get some little freezer safe containers and pop them into them. I don't do that because the containers rarely come back home again. Usually found a week later in the sandpit.

[Halex]

I have special tupperware containers for the freezer. I freeze cut up cake portiins, muffins, quiche slices, cup cakes in these. I also use the paper that you  can use in the freezer to separate layers so they dont stick.

I buy the zip lock freezer bags for bread rolls.  I also freeze ready made sandwiches in tupperware sandwich keepers. Of course no salad.

If its an item for long storage, vacum seal.

H

[judydawn]

Karen, zip lock bags should work just fine.  Just put a straw into the corner, seal it as close as you can to the straw and suck out the air - it is sort of like vacuum sealing but won't crush cakes etc.  It takes a bit of practice but it does work.  You just have to be very quick to pull out the straw and seal it before any air goes back into the bag.

[DizzyGirl]

JD thanks for the tip with the straw. Must try it

[nazar]

 thanks judy never knew that tip on the straw , will try in next time

l used zip lock bags in the freezer too there great
l use  little containers  too in lunchbox  saves on  gladwrap and saves sandwich on getting squash too
 and mine do come home from school

[KarenH]

Thanks for all the tips - especially the one with the straw JD!  Have just make a batch of savoury muffins that are cooling, so will try freezing some using the straw trick, and also try some in containers.  Thanks everyone!

[deedub]

I hope his first day went well Karen - any tears? from mum I mean! 😉

[KarenH]

No tears from either of us, thankfully.  It wasnt so bad really, because where he is going to school changes from kindy to reception in the same place, and all they do is move from half-days to full days. 

[MEP]

I appreciate this thread is very old, but was wondering, after freezing, how you 'prepare' the frozen items for eating again. I would like to freeze things like muffins, pizza scrolls, sausages in pastry etc for school lunches, but don't know whether I need to defrost overnight in the fridge first or pop straight into the lunchbox from the freezer in the morning?

Apart from bolognese sauce where I defrost in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop, I have yet to master the art of freezing. I have tried freezing cupcakes etc but not very successfully so have ended up throwing it out after freezing rather than eating again. Hence, any tips, advice or suggestions would be MOST gratefully accepted.

Thanks :-)a

[Halex]

In this heat I left the items defrost in the school bag, cp always says his lunches are nice and fresh

[cookie1]

I think frozen is best too. It helps to keep the food cool in the lunch box and usually thaws before it is eaten.

[MEP]

ok. Will try that. Thanks for your responses.

[astarra]

Mine get sent frozen too - only things I do thaw first are drinks (especially smoothies) as they seem to stay too frozen even by lunchtime otherwise! 


Halex, may I ask what sandwich fillings you use for freezing? Mine aren't great sandwich eaters but DH is.....  TIA 

[cookie1]

When we lived in Broome, long before it became developed, (37 years ago) DH used to make his lunches for the week and freeze them. He made polony and sauce on white bread ( all you could buy up there then) and had it for lunch almost every day for 2 years.
I guess you can freeze polony and sauce sandwiches.