Freezer Experiment #2

In a previous post, I mentioned my challenges with & fear of the freezer.  It doesn't sound like Rocket Science, but I always manage to let things get freezer burned or lost until they're expired.

My whole analysis of my freezing abilities began for a reason.  I've been reading a lot of blogs about "Freezer Cooking" which is when brave souls cook for an entire day & freeze everything for later use.  Casseroles, burritos, lasagnas, rice, beans, fruit, chicken, you name it.

It intimidated me, so I decided to start with small freezing experiments & maybe work my way up to Freezer Cooking.  Freezer Experiment #1 was a wild success & we have since added to our frozen stockpile of citrus juices & chicken stock in ice cube-size portions.

This leads us to Freezer Experiment #2...tomato paste.  I read in some magazine, (Sorry, I can't give the proper credit, blame the Momnesia.) that you can freeze Tablespoon sized portions of tomato paste.  What a great idea!  Recipes typically call for 1-2 Tablespoons & the rest of the can sits in the fridge until you finally toss it.

So, I grabbed a cookie sheet & some parchment paper.  The magazine article recommended wax paper, but we didn't have any.  I lined the cookie sheet with parchment paper & sprayed it with non-stick cooking spray (figured it couldn't hurt).  Then, I sprayed my measuring spoon, too & dug in. 

The can gave me 10 tablespoon-sized portions.  Into the freezer they went & 2 days later I threw 'em into a freezer bag. 

I absolutely love finding ways to reduce the amount of food we waste.  It was a serious problem for us for a very long time & I refuse to go there again.  Now, I'm off to make some tostadas for dinner along with black beans & some Spanish Rice...courtesy of a tablespoon of tomato paste!

P.S.- Don't forget to label the bag with a permanent marker & add the date.

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