Freezing and Preparation Tips

When you leave a Family Dinners session, go directly home – don’t stop “to pick up a few things” at the store, or visit your mother! Sometimes those “quick stops” can take hours – and you can compromise the food quality.

When freezing your Family Dinners, it is best to put a few things in the freezer at a time, if you have room in your refrigerator to store some of the dinners. When you load up your freezer with 12 large items at once, it warms the freezer, and slows the freezing process.  So, if you can, try to put half of your food in the freezer when you get home, storing the rest in the refrigerator. The next day, put the rest in the freezer.

It is always best to thaw your foods in the refrigerator. However, many items can be thawed in the microwave – as long as you will be cooking immediately after thawing. A 9x13 casserole will take about 3 days to thaw completely in the refrigerator.

The best way to kill bacteria in your food is to cook it to a safe temperature. Since I started this business, I have become enamoured of my food thermometer. You can find them in all varieties and price ranges at the grocery store and at stores like WalMart and Target.  For safety, cook food to the following temperature ranges:

Ground meat – 160

Beef, Lamb, Veal – 160

Poultry

Chicken and turkey, Whole – 180

Chicken breasts – 170

Chicken thighs and wings – 180

Pork – 170

Casseroles – 165

Cooking meats to these temperatures kills harmful bacteria in your foods, and ensures your family’s good health! You also can prevent overcooking and drying out your meats. Enjoy eating your Family Dinners cooked to a safe temperature.