Preparing Food For Storage |
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Use the freezer for long-term storage and keep it set at 0oF for lower for maximum food preservation. The best place to thaw frozen foods is in the refrigerator or in a microwave oven. Or, thaw food in a sealed bag under cold running water.
For perishable foods that are to be used within a few days, use the refrigerator for storage. Set the refrigerator for storage. Set the refrigerator temperature between 36oF and 40oF.
Store staple such as flour and sugar and sturdy foods such as canned goods in a cool, dry, well ventilated place away from sunlight. The best storage temperature is between 50oF and 70oF.
Keep all utensils and counters clean. And make sure that cooked meat or poultry doesn't touch equipment used for raw meat.
Cooked foods: Cover and chill or freeze cooked foods and leftovers promptly. For freezing, use moisture-vaporproof materials such as freezer paper or heavy oil, or use freezer containers.
Fresh fruits and vegetables: Store these in the refrigerator crisper. Keep items such as potatoes and dry onions in a cool, well ventilated place.
Meat, poultry, and fish: Chill meat and poultry as purchased in clear packaging. To freeze, remove the clear packaging; wrap tightly in moisture-vaporproof material. (Prepackaged meat and poultry can be frozen for one to two weeks without rewrapping.) Tightly wrap fresh fish in moisture-vaporproof material before freezing or refrigerating.
Eggs: Keep eggs in the covered egg carton in the refrigerator. You can chill leftover separated eggs in tightly covered containers (cover yolk with cold water). To freeze eggs, break into a bowl, stir to combine, and add 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar or corn syrup or 1/8 teaspoon salt per 1/4 cup whole eggs (two whole) or 1/4 cup yolks (four yolks). Egg whites require no additions. Use freezer containers. Thaw in the refrigerator; use within 24 hours. Allow for any added sugar, corn syrup, or salt when using in recipes.
Dairy products: Store cheese, milk, and butter, tightly covered in the refrigerator. Chill strong-flavored cheese in a tightly covered glass container. |
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