Chicago Wellness: 7 Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Freeze

Monday, October 26, 2015

7 Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Freeze

The cold never bothered us anyway

Buying in bulk always seems like such a good idea…until your pantry is overflowing with moldy bread and expiration dates galore. Ahead, seven foods that you can throw in the freezer and (sorta) forget about.

CHEESE

Keep that pricey block of Parmigiano Reggiano for up to six months by bringing it to room temperature and then freezing. Already shredded? Just add a spoon of cornstarch to the bag to prevent clumping.

COOKED PASTA

Toss the noodles with olive oil, then add individual servings to sandwich bags, push all of the air out, seal and freeze for up to two weeks. When you’re ready to reheat, run the bag under hot water or refrigerate overnight to thaw.

FLOUR

Double-bag to avoid condensation and other odors from seeping in and throw in the freezer for as long as you want.

MASHED POTATOES

Thanksgiving preparations, anyone? Place in plastic bags and press air out before sealing. Then freeze for up to two months.

POTATO CHIPS AND PRETZELS

Stockpilers, rejoice: You can totally throw that bag of Lay's in the freezer for a few months and pull out any time for crispy, snacky goodness.

EGGS

Out of their shells, you can freeze eggs, whites or yolks for up to a year. Just store in bags or in ice trays and thaw in the fridge the night before you want to use them.