Curry Recipes Online
Curry Base Recipes => Curry Base Chat => Topic started by: rshome123 on July 24, 2013, 12:03 AM
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Hi, new here, just a query...
After making base gravy... Then comes the bit I hate... How to store it for the freezer...
At first I used Tupperware, which isn't very efficient for freezer space, then/now using freezer bags. Freezer bags aren't great because a. It's difficult to pour into them without spilling, and b. they stick together in the freezer, and c. They can leak, especially while defrosting.
I would be interested in knowing peeps ideas on this. By the way I eat about 1-2 curries a week.
Richard
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I invested in an unfeasibly large number of these lock n lock HPL806 containers:
http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Lock-and-Lock-HPL806-350ml.html (http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Lock-and-Lock-HPL806-350ml.html)
And use them to store individual portions of base because they are just the right size, so quite space efficient and mess free. If you freeze them on their side rather than flat on their back, the contents will pop out easier because the block of frozen base doesn't "airlock" in the tub. This means I don't have to defrost in situ in the lock n lock box, I pop out the frozen base into a saucepan and add a little water and there's zero waste because nothing clings to the tub. For me it's the most efficient solution.
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Thanks Natterjak, that seems like a sensible option. Will shop around for said containers. The only problem is kitchen storage space for them.
By the way... has anyone got any tips for separating freezer bags from eachother when they become frozen together, without ripping them ?
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Hi rshome321
asda sell cheap plastic containers. they are good for using 4 or 5 times before they invariably get wounded. the stuck together bags, i would try removing the clump and pour a drop of warm/hot water over them. failing that, if theyre frozen anyway, a small tear isnt going to make much mess if any. as long as you leave them to defrost in a bowl of some sort to catch the leaking gravy i would have thought you would be ok.
cheers
mick
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My local Asian grocer sells plastic takeway tubs and lids at approximately
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My local Asian grocer sells plastic takeway tubs and lids at approximately
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Gordon Ramsay on his "100 recipes to stake your life on" show offered the tip to lightly oil these containers before adding hot food in order for them not to stain.
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My local Asian grocer sells plastic takeway tubs and lids at approximately
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Gordon Ramsay on his "100 recipes to stake your life on" show offered the tip to lightly oil these containers before adding hot food in order for them not to stain.
Another good tip goncalo and I can see how that might work. Worth a try for sure.
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ASDA sell a pack of 8x good quality disposable 650ml "SMARTT Tubz" with lids for around
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Crikey "Gordon Ramsey" - Curry _ Carton _ In ;D
Any Poundland, Aka.Pound Shop sell a good selection of Micro curry cartons.
I must admit I can rarely be bothered to wash and reuse them, but they do
wash up easy with a bit Deepio.
cheers Chewy
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Crikey "Gordon Ramsey" - Curry _ Carton _ In ;D
Any Poundland, Aka.Pound Shop sell a good selection of Micro curry cartons.
I must admit I can rarely be bothered to wash and reuse them, but they do
wash up easy with a bit Deepio.
cheers Chewy
Cheers Chewy, I have many of the ones you speak of, but for the 300ml portion size I'm freezing there is extra space wasted. I think this is a dilemma that can only be solved by using the (approx) 300ml lock'n'lock type containers, or for somebody to start making disposable cheap 300ml (approx) takeaway containers, or indeed someone invents a completely new solution to this problem.
All said, it's not exactly the end of the world whatever happens.. so what if a freezer bag leaks, or slightly less freezer space available.... unless one wants to store half a sheep in the freezer (or freezers) leaving minimal room for base gravy.
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Hi all, been lurking here a while but first time posting, I've been busy reading through years of old threads.
Our freezer has an ice maker so storage space is pretty pathetic. I use the small resealable freezer bags from ASDA, less than a couple of quid for 40 i think.
I measure out 300ml portions of base in a measuring jug and pour into the bags. I try to get as much air out as i can without messing about too much. The bags lie flat in a shoe box that fits two side by side perfectly then each layer is separated with a piece of paper to stop them sticking together and tearing. Putting them in a box means i can stack other stuff on top to save on space.
To thaw them out i run the bag under the hot tap for a few seconds to loosen the block then snap it into smaller bits and tip into a bowl to zap in the microwave.
I think i usually get about 7 litres of single portions in the box, it's like a huge block of ice and no space is taken up by air or plastic cartons. Any leftover base gets used straight away or frozen in 4 portion batches.
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Munchiez... good idea about the kitchen paper to keep the bags separate. I presume the shoe box is a normal cardboard one ?
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I use 200-250 ml per portion and 400ml fits in one of those little foil cartons.
Only problem is that stacking them while freezing or thawing is tricky but not impossible.
Have also used the quick-lock plastic ones but Mrs G frowns at the yellowish stain it leaves
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for the 300ml portion size I'm freezing there is extra space wasted. I think this is a dilemma that can only be solved by using the (approx) 300ml lock'n'lock type containers, or for somebody to start making disposable cheap 300ml (approx) takeaway containers
Nothing in the See Woo (http://www.seewoo.com/catering/packaging/) range that small, I am afraid.
** Phil.
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rshome - yep, just a cardboard box, i used a shoe box just because it fit two bags perfectly side by side.
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Hi,
I have settled on plastic containers with lids which stack in my chest freezer and are also space saving when empty as they are tapered and stack inside each other.
Purchased from Asda for about
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maybe I'm missing something, but I use foil takeaway containers that hold 300m -ish..?1 for 10 from most Asian supermarkets
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Despite being round, those containers look the business. Ideal ml size. Haven't seen them in my local Asda will shop around.
Small TA foil containers are ok, but difficult to stack in the freezer as you can imagine.
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Mrs G frowns at the yellowish stain it leaves
You can get special pants for that.
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;D