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Using frozen chopped veggies as a shortcut
Posted on 2/11/14 at 3:50 pm
Posted on 2/11/14 at 3:50 pm
I try to scratch-make as much as I can, and buy fresh as much as I can. But it's difficult to get home from work at 6:30 and begin cooking a meal. I recently discovered the veggie freezer section (mindblown gif) and wonder if using the pre-chopped onions, bells, carrots, etc. is a good shortcut, or if there will be a flavor difference. From what I've read about frozen veggies, they're flash-frozen when they're fresh, which can actually be better than sitting on a truck/shelf for days before you eat it.
Thoughts? Any other suggestions? I realize my issue is a bit of a paradox, as I'm looking for shortcuts to my goal of spending more time cooking because it is healthier and tastes better.
Thoughts? Any other suggestions? I realize my issue is a bit of a paradox, as I'm looking for shortcuts to my goal of spending more time cooking because it is healthier and tastes better.
7
Posted on 2/11/14 at 3:55 pm to LSUJuice
My experience is dont do it
Posted on 2/11/14 at 3:56 pm to LSUJuice
I always keep a bag of frozen seasoning blend in my freezer. Frozen vegetables are just as healthy as produce off of the shelf.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 3:56 pm to LSUJuice
I think it depends on what you're cooking as to how well they will work. There are texture differences in frozen versus fresh. If the dish requires any caramelization, you're not likely to get that. If you're looking to add chopped onions to a pot of beans, they're probably fine. I use the frozen pearl onions for beef bourguignon and they work fine, but they're soft as soon as they defrost and if you cook them too long, they turn pretty mushy. I just hate peeling the fresh, so I add these last.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:02 pm to Gris Gris
Yeah the texture difference makes sense. Most recently I did a smothered chicken where I didn't really need a carmelization.....
I usually go home for lunch - I just need to remember to take care of my chopping then.
I usually go home for lunch - I just need to remember to take care of my chopping then.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:09 pm to LSUJuice
Are we talking about frozen veggies, or frozen, chopped aromatics (aka seasoning blend, a mix of chopped onions, bell pepper, etc)? I loathe the pre-chopped frozen seasoning blend, but I use the hell outta frozen veg.
Skinny green beans (haricot verts), frozen baby limas, supersweet corn, various brands of "stir fry blend", purplehull peas, chopped spinach, and tiny green peas all have a permanent place in my freezer.
Skinny green beans (haricot verts), frozen baby limas, supersweet corn, various brands of "stir fry blend", purplehull peas, chopped spinach, and tiny green peas all have a permanent place in my freezer.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:12 pm to LSUJuice
Chopping goes pretty quickly unless you're making large quantities. I think the frozen veggies are fine to keep in the freezer when the texture isn't going to be an issue. Sometimes, I chop some things during the weekend that I know I'm going to need during the week. I pretty much always have a bag of chopped green onions in the fridge since I have the bad addiction for them!
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:12 pm to LSUJuice
I've seen most Albertson's have freshly chopped veggies in the veggie department. I've bought those before to save me time.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:12 pm to LSUJuice
I wouldn't. I don't like the flavor of them .. or lack thereof rather.
just buy one of each once a week and I'm sure you'll end up cooking with them at least one meal. veggies are cheap and last a while.
quote:
wonder if using the pre-chopped onions, bells, carrots
just buy one of each once a week and I'm sure you'll end up cooking with them at least one meal. veggies are cheap and last a while.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:13 pm to LSUJuice
We can tell you okra is fine. It's been run through the F&DB test kitchen.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:13 pm to bbrou33
I buy the Guidry's fresh chopped sometimes. They work fine as long as they are very fresh. After a while they get pretty juicy. Mine hold up well in the fridge.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:14 pm to hungryone
Well, both I guess. The latter, more for freshness sake. Often I'll buy fresh vegetables, only to have plans change during the week and then they sit in the fridge too long. I now get frozen green beans, asparagus, cut spinach, broccoli, and peas.
But yeah I was asking about the seasoning blends or just plain old frozen chopped onions or carrots, for use as a mirepoix, to save time on chopping.
But yeah I was asking about the seasoning blends or just plain old frozen chopped onions or carrots, for use as a mirepoix, to save time on chopping.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:17 pm to bbrou33
quote:
freshly chopped veggies in the veggie department
HEB has these too, but they're vastly more expensive. I'll choose to chop 88 cents of celery rather than pay 3 dollars for pre-chopped.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:17 pm to SW2SCLA
quote:
I always keep a bag of frozen seasoning blend in my freezer
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:36 pm to LSUJuice
I'm not a fan of frozen onions. In my experience, they tend to turn to mush. I like to chop and freeze the peppers I grow, though. They seem to do fine.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:39 pm to hungryone
quote:
Are we talking about frozen veggies, or frozen, chopped aromatics (aka seasoning blend, a mix of chopped onions, bell pepper, etc)? I loathe the pre-chopped frozen seasoning blend, but I use the hell outta frozen veg.
This is how I view it. I wouldn't use any precut items that are intended to flavor a dish. No shortcuts there.
I do use frozen veggies for my sides.
This post was edited on 2/11/14 at 5:11 pm
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:40 pm to LSUJuice
There are many frozen vegetables that are great frozen as mentioned and I buy them, as well, but I have never liked frozen green beans or frozen corn. I've tried to freeze fresh summer corn in a variety of ways hoping it would be better than the frozen from the store and I just don't care for the texture. Peas and beans are darn good frozen, though. I don't think I've tried frozen asparagus.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 4:57 pm to Gris Gris
I haven't tried the asparagus yet either. I get spinach (I like to experiment and make my own variations of creamed spinach) and broccoli a lot. And peas too. There was a thread on here about a year ago about peas, and someone posted about a pea puree with fresh mint. It's my go-to side with just about anything from the grill.
But I just saw the asparagus on the shelf and grabbed a bag to try. I'm thinking roased with some olive oil and S&P will taste just fine.
But I just saw the asparagus on the shelf and grabbed a bag to try. I'm thinking roased with some olive oil and S&P will taste just fine.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 5:07 pm to LSUJuice
I always have a bag of frozen peas and a bag of corn but that's it. They freeze well.
Everything else is fresh...carrots, Romaine, cauliflower, broccoli are in the fridge bin. The stuff is cheap. If it goes bad give it to the dog or put it in the compost pile for the spring garden.
Everything else is fresh...carrots, Romaine, cauliflower, broccoli are in the fridge bin. The stuff is cheap. If it goes bad give it to the dog or put it in the compost pile for the spring garden.
Posted on 2/11/14 at 5:19 pm to LSUJuice
Let me know how frozen asparagus works roasted.
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