Don't Let Food Go to Waste: Freeze it!

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Did you buy more than you needed? You Could not resist buying everything on sale! Now you have more than you and your family can eat.

Don't let it go to waste. Here are instructions for freezing some foods you may have never thought of freezing:

Eggs

Mix the yolks and egg whites together, and pour into an ice cube tray. Two cubes are the equivalent of one large egg.


Milk

Store in its original container, but pour out enough milk to allow for expansion – approximately a cup per gallon of milk. Thaw in the refrigerator, and shake well before using.
Butter

Store in its original container. Thaw in the refrigerator to use.
Bananas

Freeze in peel. Then, simply thaw and peel to use in smoothies and breads. Note: the peel will turn black, but that won't effect the quality of the banana at all.
Celery

Wash and chop to desired size. Then, flash freeze on a tray, and transfer to a freezer bag or another air-tight container. To use: add the frozen celery directly to soups or other heated dishes.
Tomatoes

Wash thoroughly. Then, freeze whole and unpeeled on a tray. Transfer to freezer bags once fully frozen.


Fresh Herbs

Chop finely. Then, place in an ice cube tray along with a small amount of water. To use: simply drop frozen cubes directly into heated dishes.

Did You Know? Herbs aren't the only thing that you can freeze in an ice cube tray: More Clever Uses for Ice Cube Trays
Nuts

Freeze (either in shell or shelled) in a freezer bag or another air-tight container.
Zucchini and Other Squash

Wash and chop to desired size. Then, blanch for three minutes; allow to cool; and freeze in an air-tight container.
Apples

Freeze whole or chopped, peeled or unpeeled
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Soup for the Cold Winter Days yum! yum!

Hearty Vegetable Beef Barley Soup

serves 10: cooking time 60 -90 minutes

1 pound cut up or shredded roast beef left overs
1 minced garlic clove
1 12-ounce can undrained whole tomatoes unsalted cut into pieces
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup chopped white onions
7 cups water
1/2 cup medium barley uncooked
1 10 1/2-ounce can beef broth
1/2 cup sliced carrots
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried basil
1 9-ounce package frozen mixed vegetables
Vegetable oil


In a 4 quart saucepan or Dutch oven use enough oil to sauté onion add garlic and meat sauté until onion is tender. Stir in Remaining ingredients except frozen vegetables. Cover bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 60 - 90 minutes , stirring occasionally. Add frozen vegetables; cook about 10 - 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Additional water may be added if soup becomes too thick upon standing.
Serves approximately 10.
You can also use this recipe in slow cooker. Medium heat 4-6 hours.

9 Tips To Save Money By Keeping Your Vegetables Fresher Longer

1. Too much moisture can cause vegetables to mold and melt.

2. When Purchasing your vegetables at the grocery store dry off the excess water, before placing the item into the plastic bag. Most grocery stores provide paper towels that are located in the produce department.

3. When you get home do not just toss all the vegetables in the refrigerator. How many times have you found your green onions melting in the refrigerator: they have become liquid green yuk.

4. Most vegetables are not to be washed before use.
Except for carrots, beets and celery.
Carrots and beets cut off the roots, wash and dry them completely place them in a perforated plastic bag. Place them in the refrigerator they should last approximately 2 weeks. As for celery the green leafy tops are really very tasty for soups. Clean celery as you would carrots. Dry them completely place them in a perforated plastic bag.

5. Leafy greens, such as lettuce and spinach should be placed in plastic storage bags and put in the coolest place in the refrigerator. Should you notice to much moisture accumulating in the plastic bags wrap the leafy greens in a paper towel.

6. Cabbage, uncut, unwashed wrapped in plastic should last for approximately 10 days .

7. Cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, place in plastic storage bags and place in the refrigerator.

8. Peppers, onions, celery, scallions and tomatoes can be frozen. Thaw and use them in baking and in soups.

9. Potato and sweet potatoes, place in a brown paper bag. Put in a dark, cooler room. Potatoes should last for several weeks. Sweet potatoes contain more sugar, so they break down quicker than regular potatoes.