Cottage cheese is a kind of soppy cheese constituted of curds combined with slightly whey for a stunning creamy texture. It is generally utilized in a wide range of dishes, from savoury to candy however the query is are you able to freeze cottage cheese? And the reply is sure! Nevertheless it is not at all times a good suggestion….
Because the saying goes; simply because you may, doesn’t suggest it is best to! That is very true of freezing cottage cheese. You possibly can freeze it however relying on how you propose to make use of it sooner or later, it won’t at all times be a good suggestion.
I am going to clarify this this publish when it is best to and should not freeze cottage cheese and whenever you need to, easy methods to safely and successfully freeze it. We’ll begin with precisely what it’s..
What’s cottage cheese?
I wager you realize this nursery rhyme:-
Little Miss Muffet
Sat on a tuffet,
Consuming her curds and whey;
There got here a giant spider,
Who sat down beside her
And frightened Miss Muffet away!
These curds and whey that Miss Muffet was consuming…that is cottage cheese!
It’s mostly constituted of cow’s milk however goat and sheep’s milk variations will also be discovered.
Cottage cheese is basically fairly a singular texture consisting of soppy cheese curds in a creamy dressing. So it is not clean like a cream cheese, nor barely dry like a ricotta and positively not agency like a cheddar. It actually is kind of a singular product!
Additionally it is widespread as a result of it’s each excessive in protein and low in energy. This makes it a agency favorite when aiming for both of those attributes in a food regimen. The precise dietary values of cottage cheese can range relying on precisely how its made.
How is cottage cheese made?
Very like with the beginning of any most different cheese making processes, milk is curdled to kind cheese curds. The liquid left behind is known as whey. Cottage cheese is normally made with skimmed (non-fat) milk.
As soon as the curds are drained and salted, they’re combined with a “dressing” of cream or typically crème fraiche. The ultimate texture of the cottage cheese relies on how effectively drained of whey the curds are and the way a lot dressing is added.
Many examples of cottage cheese within the US present a a lot drier closing product that the very creamy model which is commonest the UK.
This creamy texture is what could make it tough to freeze and defrost.
Sorts of cottage cheese
Within the US it is not uncommon to have the ability to select between massive and small curd sorts of cottage cheese.
That is along with numerous ranges of fats and different extra flavourings identical to within the UK.
Pineapple is frequent addition as is chive and onion. You possibly can in fact add another flavourings you want at house to the common plain flavoured varieties.
When should not you freeze cottage cheese?
I don’t suggest that you simply freeze cottage cheese in case you are planning to eat it in its pure state similar to on this baked potato with tuna and cheese recipe.
It is because the cottage cheese can separate when frozen after which defrosted. Because the water content material thaws, the water and the fats will separate. This causes the liquid to go away the creamy combination, leaving you with solely separated thicker curds floating within the water.
Sadly, the best way you defrost it gained’t reverse this impact, because the change occurs throughout freezing. So in case you are planning on utilizing your cottage cheese “uncooked”, it’s best to not freeze it.
The right way to rescue break up cottage cheese?
While you’ll unlikely have the ability to totally recreate the unique texture of the cottage cheese, listed here are some concepts for easy methods to stop waste and doubtlessly have the ability to use defrosted cottage cheese with out baking or cooking with it:-
- Use an immersion/stick blender on the defrosted cottage cheese to re-emulsify from the dairy with the water. By doing this you’ll lose the feel of the unique cottage cheese however it can nonetheless be tasty.
- Use a nice sieve/strainer to separate the curds from any water that has seeped out. You possibly can both use the drier curds as they’re or stir them by means of some cream or crème fraiche to extra precisely recreate the unique product.
- Go away the defrosted cheese to empty in a cheese material for a number of hours. You possibly can then proceed so as to add one other dairy or eat the thicker model that may stay within the material.
When are you able to freeze cottage cheese?
The remainder of the time it’s a nice thought to freeze any leftover cottage cheese that you simply aren’t prone to eat earlier than the expiry date or when you have a full container that’s nearing the date and unlikely for use.
That is supreme when you are going to use it in a baked or cooked recipe like my vegetarian various to meatloaf – Particular Okay roast!
The right way to put together cottage cheese for the freezer?
Whereas some manufacturers or producers advise in opposition to freezing cottage cheese, it could normally be frozen safely. The explanation that freezing isn’t really helpful is that freezing will change its texture. Nevertheless, it is best to at all times test your packet, as some producers might have security causes for this recommendation.
To organize your cheese for the freezer, it is best to first test that it’s in good situation and in-date. Be sure that there are not any visible indicators of mould or spoilage. If it appears to be like okay, give it a sniff and style to substantiate it nonetheless smells and tastes good.
If it passes these checks, then it’s protected to empty it right into a sealed container or sandwich bag. Or, if the container you want to freeze remains to be sealed, you could possibly freeze in its unique container whether it is hermetic and never constituted of a comfortable materials like cardboard.
It may be a good suggestion to freeze your cottage cheese in smaller parts. Dividing it into parts implies that you do not find yourself with a complete container of defrosted cottage cheese whenever you solely need 1 portion.
What container is finest to freeze cottage cheese in?
Freezer protected hermetic containers or sandwich baggage are one of the best containers for freezing cottage cheese. Sandwich baggage are my favorite, as you may squeeze out extra air earlier than sealing it. Plus, they save house and make portioning a lot simpler.
You can too freeze cottage cheese in ice dice trays to create small particular person servings. As soon as the cheese is totally frozen, the cubes might be pushed out the moulds and saved in a container or bag as regular.
As I discussed above, in case your container of cottage cheese remains to be totally sealed, you could possibly freeze it within the unique container.
You will need to be certain that the container is totally hermetic and inflexible. Any foil or pop on/off plastic lids will unlikely survive the freezing course of intact and must be averted. Equally lined carboard tubs will change into soggy within the freezer and the liner is not going to be enough to guard the cottage cheese from freezer burn.
The right way to keep away from freezer burn?
You need to keep away from having an excessive amount of extra air within the freezer container, as this could result in freezer burn. Freezer burn happens when the dry air attracts water from meals throughout the freezing course of. The water then freezes in mid-air, leaving a frosty layer.
Freezer burn is unhealthy for any frozen meals, nevertheless it’s particularly unhealthy for meals with excessive water content material like cottage cheese. When the liquid freezes and thaws, it modifications the feel as soon as it defrosts.
The freezing course of leaves cottage cheese with a extra exaggerated texture – with agency curds floating within the clear liquid whey. As soon as defrosted, there’s little or no, if any, of the creamy combination remaining.
The consequences of freezing cheese can’t be averted, however you may minimise them by defending it from freezer burn. Keep in mind, freezer burn = further water loss. So be sure to take away as a lot extra air as attainable!
How lengthy are you able to freeze cottage cheese?
You possibly can freeze an unopened pack of cottage cheese for round 3–6 months. Nevertheless, in case your cottage cheese is open, you may solely hold it frozen for as much as 2–3 months.
The right way to defrost frozen cottage cheese?
The most secure strategy to defrost cottage cheese is to position it within the fridge for 8 hours. Be sure to defrost it inside an hermetic container (the sandwich bag is ok).
You shouldn’t depart meals (particularly dairy) to defrost on the counter. It is because it might change into too heat, making an ideal surroundings for dangerous micro organism to flourish.
The right way to cook dinner or bake with cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is usually utilized in salads or as toppings for dishes like baked potatoes.
This low-fat baked potato with tuna and cheese is filled with flavour, excessive in protein, low in fats due to fat-free cottage cheese. It makes for a scrumptious mid-week meal. It makes for a scrumptious mid-week meal.
However as soon as it has been frozen, it is higher used for cooked meals and bakes.
This wonderful savoury Particular Okay roast is made with some stunning components, nevertheless it all comes collectively in a fantastic vegetarian meat loaf that basically hits the spot by way of flavour and texture.
There you’ve gotten it! You now know easy methods to freeze cottage cheese in order that it lasts longer and does not spoil as rapidly.
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