Food Storage - LivinPaleoCuisine

Freezing food is always a great option if you want to prevent spoiling and reduce food waste. We all have some favorite food that we love to stockpile on, or in case it is something homemade, make it in bulk because we just can’t stand to run low on it. For me, the food that I can’t imagine life is cheese; I mean all the possible types and kinds. Cheddar, gruyere, feta, cottage, mozzarella, camembert, brie, swiss, gouda, halloumi, and the best one is the last one the goat cheese. But as you all know, cheese is quite expensive food, that is why I am always out on the hunt for a good sale. My stock-up pile depends on the kind since not all cheeses can be frozen, or even if they can, it can’t withstand more prolonged periods. But before I did such a thing, I did thorough research to find out which type of cheese is freezer friendly and which one is not. Yes, you guessed right that the first thing I researched was – can you freeze goat cheese? Related Questions: Can You Freeze Brie?Can You Freeze Mozzarella Cheese?Can You Freeze Cottage Cheese? How To Freeze Goat Cheese? If you ever ate a slice of goat cheese, you know that it comes in various shapes, tastes, and textures. I was surprised when I found out that the goat cheese is more commonly used than cow’s cheese. But later, I realized that this cheese adds the prominent taste to your salads and pasta, so it would be a shame to waste such delicacy. It is essential to take all the precautions and follow strict directions when freezing ingredients like cheese, milk, fruit, and vegetables to ensure that they taste fresh as well to stay safe to drink and eat when you remove them from the freezer. Usually, goat cheese can last from three to five weeks in the fridge if stored and sealed correctly. Anything longer than that is no good, and I highly recommend you consider freezing after spending four weeks in the refrigerator since that is when you are going to notice it starts to become chalky and stiff. If you follow certain freezing conditions, you can rest assured that your goat cheese will retain its flavor and come out perfectly. How To Start When you are up to freezing goat cheese, it is essential to know how to freeze and thaw it properly if you want it to stay in good shape for as long as it can. You can prolong the life to your goat cheese for up to several months if you learn how to store it correctly. Be aware that improper handling and poor packaging can cause freezer burns all over the cheese, which will also break your heart and waste your money. There are two types of goat cheese, and both are freezer-friendly. Those are solid block goat cheese and soft, spreadable goat cheese. Freezing Solid Block Goat Cheese This type is crumbly and brittle in quality. I usually use it in salads, starters, and cooked meals. The first thing you will notice is how it changes texture once it is frozen. It will become more crumbly, but luckily it will retain its unique taste as long as you don’t store it properly and not for too long. My first step is to cut cheese in pieces since I do not practice freezing it in blocks simply because I am not able to eat the whole thing. In case I need some larger amount, I can always unthaw a few pieces. After doing this, wrap each piece in a double layer of plastic wrap to prevent contamination and freezer burns. Please place them in separate freezing bags and press the air out as much as you can before you sealed it tightly. Make sure you do not forget to label each bag with the correct date and put them in the freezer. Solid goat cheese stored like this in the freezer can last for up to three months, but since I prefer the natural taste of the cheese, I consume it much earlier. Freezing Soft, Spreadable Goat Cheese This kind of goat cheese usually comes packed in plastic or glass containers. It has a delectable flavor considering it is blended with oil and cheese, and I usually use them for light dinners like smoked salmon and goat cheese bagel or spread it on the warm garlic bread. It freezes very well, but it can change the texture after thawing and become more vet and watery. As I said, this type of cheese comes already pre-packed in some kind of container, and if you still didn’t open it, just place it in the freezer like that, but it is mandatory to label the date. In case you already opened it, you will need to wrap it twice in the plastic wrap to prevent contamination and freezer burns. After this, put back the lid of the original packaging to seal it properly. Place it in the freezer bag, label the date, and put it in the freezer. If you bought a large container of soft, spreadable goat cheese, you would need to separate them into small glass or plastic containers. It is crucial to fill the containers up to the top to avoid leaving any space for the air to come in. You can also fill the remaining space with olive oil if you prefer that more. Wrap it in plastic wrap, put the lid on, label the freezer bag with the correct date, and place it in the freezer. Just like solid goat cheese, it can last up to three months in the freezer, but for the best flavor, use it earlier. Thawing Process It’s crucial to take good care when you thaw your goat cheese to avoid ruining it since that is very easy, trust me. There is no point in having the best freezing technique if you do not know how to thaw it properly. If you do not follow the precise instructions, chances that your goat cheese will spoil are high, and none loves to lose the race when it is so close to the finish line, right? If you let it come to room temperature too quickly, your goat cheese will become moldy and get contaminated with bacteria. So the best way to do it is to place the required amount in the refrigerator overnight, but the best results will be after one or two days. I know it sounds too long, but you will have to trust me. Spreadable goat cheese should always be stirred before the use to restore its creaminess. Please do not put the cheese back into the freezer and make sure you use it within three days. How And Why To Use The Goat Cheese? If you’re not very familiar with goat cheese, you might be wondering why people make so much fuss about it. Well, goat cheese is a delicious and very versatile food that can fill all kinds of essential health functions and boost your overall health. People who are lactose intolerant and can’t consume dairy products that are made from cow’s milk are good to use goat milk and goat cheese since they are much easier on our digestive tract. Also, it is very low in fat, calories, sodium, and cholesterol, and provides more protein, vitamins D and K. Since it has a sharp, tangy flavor and creamy texture, it is effortless to combine it with other foods to help highlight them better. Combine it with artichokes, pears, salmon, garlic, tomato, olives, make a sauce with pesto and goat cheese. There are so many combinations, and I can guarantee you will love them all. Summary If you have that habit of buying as much cheese as you can while it is on sale, this article will teach you what to do to save your leftover goat cheese. Since the goat cheese is quite expensive, it would be a shame to throw it out because it went stale. But if you are willing to learn how to store and freeze it properly, this article will help you do that and save you some money at the same time.