A few weeks ago I made a large bargain purchase of boneless
skinless chicken breast at $1.49 a pound as well as some five pound bags of
grated cheese at $12.50 a bag. I also
picked up a five pound bag of fresh grated parmesan for $14.95.
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| I trimmed off any fat and made cutlets out of some of the breasts |
I divided all of the chicken into a variety of packages for
the freezer. The breasts were quite
large so I butterflied most of them cutting some of them into smaller
sizes. I also sliced and diced some
for other recipes.
All of the chicken was wrapped in plastic wrap before it went into Ziploc quart or sandwich sized
bags, then labeled with a Sharpie marker. I
date them with the month and year I package them. Then all of the bags get put into a larger
Ziploc bag, either a one or two gallon size which I find helps to ward off
freezer burn but also keeps them organized.
Then into the freezer they go.
I did pretty much the same thing with all of the
cheese. I measured it out and place 2
cups into a Ziploc sandwich bag squeezing out any extra air as I closed
them. Once labeled I placed the bags
inside of a larger gallon Ziploc and out to the freezer with those as
well. Grated cheeses freeze well and
when thawed in the refrigerator turn out quite nice.
With the chicken and cheeses stowed away in our chest
freezer we were well on our way to stocking it back up and being better
prepared for whatever may come our way. At
the very least we can rest easy knowing we have plenty of good food to eat.
What? You didn't can any of the chicken?
ReplyDeleteI can some in jelly jars and send it to my single sons. It is convenient for one meal servings (added to burritos, mixed with mayonnaise for a chicken salad sandwich, or added to the top of a salad.) It encourages them to visit because I send canned meals back home with them.
I'm also experimenting with canning hamburger meat. Brown it, pour off the grease, run hot water over it to remove more of the grease (necessary or the lids might not seal) add some beef broth, salt and pepper for flavor.
I have seen recipes for canning hamburgers but haven't tried it yet.
I have also dehydrated hamburger meat but my guys didn't like the texture. I couldn't tell a difference. (The dog loved it.)
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
I know! I got all this chicken before I got the canner. But guess what?! We are definitely planning to can some chicken and maybe even dehydrate some. Can't wait! :o)
DeleteSmart move on the way you processed the chicken. I am going to copy you the next time I get a lot of it.
ReplyDeleteI freeze 8 ounce blocks of hard cheese all the time and have never had issues with it thawing in the refrigerator. I slice or shred it and it works perfectly well.
We love cheese. Any time it is on sale I take advantage of it.
DeleteChicken breasts and cheese, two of my favorite things and would hate to run out. I have chicken I paid $1.49 and wish I had more.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great buy!!
DeleteI do the same with our chicken breasts (it's what we mainly eat). I like having it all cleaned & sliced whenever I need to cook a meal.
ReplyDeleteI should look for big bags of cheese like that, cause we use cheese daily.
Cheese in the bigger bags save me $$. Especially when I get it on sale.
DeleteI've never tried to freeze cheese, but certainly plan to this summer.
ReplyDeleteIt works really well. :)
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