Categories
Cooking

Can You Freeze Eggnog?

Nothing soothes the heart on a cold day than a cup of eggnog. This dairy drink can be bought from the market or can be made at the home as well. But, many of us wonder if this frothy drink can be frozen or not. Are you also wondering the same thing? If yes, then keep reading.

Can Eggnog Be Frozen?

Can you Freeze Eggnog?
So, the answer to your question is yes. Yes, eggnog can be frozen. But, since it is made from delicate ingredients, you have to freeze it extremely carefully. Otherwise, you might notice some unpleasant changes in the structure of the drink.

How Can You Freeze the Eggnog?

The freezing process of the eggnog is quite easy. If you want to freeze the homemade eggnog, you must cool it first at room temperature. Once the drink has cooled down, you need to transfer it to the plastic container that has an airtight container. Make sure that you leave some space so that the liquid can expand during freezing.

If you want to freeze an unopened carton of eggnog, you just need to keep it in the freezer in an upright position. Once it has frozen completely, you just need to put it in the carton in a plastic bag. Place it back in the refrigerator in the same position that you placed it before.

You can freeze the eggnog drink at 0 degree Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) so that it can stay good for a few months. You should also label the container with a storage date. This is important in case you forget when you stored the drink.

What Happens If You Don’t Freeze Eggnog Properly?

Eggnog is prepared using some of the most delicate ingredients. This is why it is important that you freeze it properly. Imagine the disappointment you will have to face if you take it out of the refrigerator and the drink has gone bad. You surely would not want that to happen, right?

If you will not freeze eggnog properly, there are high chances that its structure will change. Apart from this, when eggnog is frozen improperly, it will also become lumpy when it is defrosted. This is why you must store the drink properly.

How Long Can You Keep the Eggnog in the Refrigerator?

You can easily keep the eggnog in the refrigerator for up to six months. But, you need to keep in mind that the eggnog prepared at home has a shorter lifespan than the eggnog bought from the market. The homemade eggnog can be kept in the refrigerator for a day only. Whereas, the eggnog prepared at home can be frozen for a longer period.

Want to know why the store made eggnog can be kept in the refrigerator for a longer period as compared to the one made at home? Well, it is because the eggnog bought from the store is pasteurized. This is why it stays in the fridge for a longer period as compared to the one prepared at home.

If you want the best results, we would recommend that you freeze the eggnog in a container. But, make sure that the container has a little extra room so that the eggnog can expand when it freezes. The extra room should be about half an inch from the top.

How Do You Defrost Eggnog?

No matter whether it is homemade or bought from the store, the eggnog can stay in the refrigerator for a period of six months. The method to defrost the eggnog is extremely easy. All you need to do is to put the container from the freezer to the fridge. Once you have transferred it to the fridge, you need to leave it overnight to thaw it. Make sure that you do not thaw the eggnog at room temperature. Otherwise, the ingredients of the eggnog will break down and take a lumpy form. It can even go bad due to the raw eggs.

Once the drink is properly thawed, you can easily reheat it. Do not worry if the ingredients of the eggnog separate during thawing as it is quite normal. All you need to do is just give the drink a good stir before the heating. It will bring back the ingredients together.

If you want a creamier and frothier drink after defrosting, all you need to do is pour the drink into the blender and keep blending it until it becomes thick and smooth.

What Happens to Eggnog When it Goes Bad?

If you do not freeze or thaw the eggnog properly, the drink can go bad. It is because of the fact that the drink is made from a lot of dairy products. This is why it can turn sour. When the eggnog turns bad, the drink can become lumpy. You might notice the mold appearing in it as well. Imagine the disappointment. So, make sure that you freeze and thaw the drink properly.

Can Eggnog be Used as a Coffee Creamer?

Did you know that many people use eggnog as a coffee creamer as well? Yes, that’s right. If you want to use the eggnog as a coffee creamer, all you need to do is get a small container of eggnog. You can easily use it as a coffee creamer. It has an extremely creamy structure that is even better and thicker than the regular cream.

Tips for Freezing Eggnog

Looking for some extra tips to freeze the eggnog? Let’s check them out below.

  • Cooldown the homemade eggnog at room temperature before freezing it.
  • Label the container before putting it in the freezer.
  • Freeze the drink below 0°C or 32°F.
  • Leave some space in the container for the drink to expand during freezing.
  • Do not thaw the drink at room temperature.
  • Stir the drink properly before reheating it.
  • Reheat the eggnog properly after defrosting it.
  • You can even blend the drink after defrosting if you want a thicker structure.

So, follow these tips and you will be able to enjoy your eggnog for a longer period.

Categories
Cooking

Can You Freeze Crab?

Crabs are available in a lot of ways such as in icy white tubs or the bottom across the tank. You can also get them in whole or even cooked meat only. No matter in what form you get a crab, they are totally worth it. Inside it’s had protection, lies one of the best flavors in the world which is the perfect combination of sweet and salt. This is why crabmeat is the favorite dish of a lot of people.

A lot of people get crabs in bulk and try to store them as well. So, can you store the crabs from freezing? Are you also wondering the same thing? If yes, then keep reading. You will find everything that you need to know below.

Can Crabs Be Frozen?

Can you Freeze Crabs?
To simply answer the question; yes, you can freeze the crabs. But, it is best to freeze the crabs in a shell. If you do not freeze the crab in proper protection, there is a chance that the meat will lose its texture. It might become stingy as well. So, you should store the crabmeat with its shell.

Can You Freeze Live Crabs?

A lot of people out there try to freeze live crabs as well. So, can live crabs be frozen? The answer is no. Live crabs cannot be frozen as it is a terrible idea. Freezing live crabs is highly not recommended. If you store live crabs at a temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the chances are that the crab will perish quickly. The crab will perish because of undigested food or bacteria inside the crab. This bacteria or undigested food inside the crab will cause the crabmeat to rot and perish even if you put in the freezing temperature. This is why it is recommended that you do not freeze live crabs.

Does Freezing A Crab Kill It?

If you put live crabs in the freezer, the crab will die within a few hours. Some people even put the crabs temporarily in the freezer to make the cooking process easier. But, make sure that you store the live crab for only a few hours in the freezer. If you freeze it for a long time, the undigested food and bacteria inside the crab will cause the crabmeat to rot. For this purpose, experts recommend not to freeze the live crabs for a longer period.

How to Freeze the Crabs the Right Way?

Freezing the crab is extremely easy. All you need to do is follow some steps and you are good to go. There are three ways in which you can freeze the crab. Want to know more about them? Keep reading then.

1. Pick the Crab and Freeze the Meat

This is an extremely simple way to freeze the crab. All you need to do is get a vacuum sealer. The vacuum sealer will keep the crabmeat fresh and sweat. Want to know how to vacuum seal your crab? Just pick the crab and put it in the bag. Keep the bag in the freezer for a little while. This will firm it up. Once you are satisfied that it is fully firmed, you can seal the bag. Crabs frozen like this can be stored for three to six months.

2. Freeze the Cooked Crab

Did you know that you can even freeze the cooked crab? Well, now you know. You can skip the picking part and cook the crab meat and freeze it after it is cooked. But, make sure that you keep it in the shell. Keeping the meat in the shell will preserve its flavors and texture. Cooking the meat is extremely easy too. All you need to do is just boil the crab in water for a maximum of twenty minutes. This will kill the bacteria present in the crab. Boiled or cooked crabs can be frozen for a period of three months.

3. Cook, Clean, and Freeze The Crab

You can even cook the crab and clean it before storing it. This method is somewhat the same as the one described above. But, in this method, you will not have to store the crab with its shell. Instead, you will have to remove the shell and wash out the leftover. This will ensure that the crabmeat stays fresh. But, if you like crab mustard, you should not go with this option. Crabs frozen like this can be stored for a maximum period of three months.

Can You Cook Frozen Crab?

Although you can cook frozen crab, we would not recommend it. Thawing the crab before freezing it will get the best results. If you go from frozen to boiling temperature suddenly, the crab will not cook properly. The meat will be cooked unevenly. This is why you should thaw and heat the crab before cooking it.

What Is the Best Way to Thaw and Heat the Crab?

Want to cook the crabs that you had previously frozen? But, you will need to defrost it first. You need to thaw the legs in the refrigerator for one night before you can cook them. The best way to cook the crab is to steam it first. It will completely defrost the crab. If you do not have a large enough pot, you can even put it in a roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with about half an inch of water.

Can You Freeze Crab Soup?

Want to know if you can freeze the crab soup or not? Well, if you have prepared and cooked the soup safely, everything can be frozen. So, if you want to freeze the crab soup so that you can devour it later, make sure that you prepare the soup using all safety methods. Otherwise, the soup will quickly perish away.

So, if you want your crabs to stay fresh after defrosting, just follow the steps mentioned above. But, make sure that you do not freeze live crabs for too long as it is not good for your health.

Categories
Kitchen

Skillet Vs. Frying Pan

Are you confused about choosing between a skillet and frying pan for your kitchen? We understand that it can get quite difficult to choose between the two cookware as both have their own advantages and disadvantages. This is why we have prepared a detailed guideline for you. Continue reading to find out more about them.

What is the Difference Between Skillet and Frying Pan?

While a skillet and a frying pan are not much different from each other, the only real difference between the two is in their depth. If you notice carefully, a skillet is a little bit deeper than a frying pan. On the other hand, a frying pan has a flat bottom and is specially used for frying and searing food. Apart from this, a skillet comes with a lid and a frying pan does not.

So, if there is not much difference between the two of them; why do some people prefer using a skillet and why do others prefer using a frying pan? Stay tuned and you will find everything that you need to know.

What Is A Skillet?

Are you one of those people that cannot spot a skillet among all the frying pans? If yes, then you do not need to worry anymore. Keep reading and you will become an expert by the end of it.

A skillet is one of the most versatile instruments for cooking. It is a bit deeper as compared to a frying pan. This is why a skillet is a perfect fit for cooking omelets, fires, and crepes. What’s amazing about these skillets is that you can even cook your entire dinner in them and you will not be disappointed at the results.

Due to their shape and size, a skillet is considered almost similar to a frying pan. Sometimes, even their names are used interchangeably. But, they are not quite as similar to each other as people think they are. In fact, if you look deeper and carefully, both of them are quite different from each other.

A skillet is a bit deeper than a frying pan and has more cooking surface area. Also, since skillets are used for making sauces and curries, they come with a lid as well. That’s the main difference between the two of them.

What are the Different Types of Skillets?

A skillet is available in different types and materials including cast iron, carbon steel etc. Different types of skillets are used for different cooking functions. You can pick the one that best fits your needs. Let’s take a look at the different types of skillets below.

1. Cast Iron Skillets

If you are looking for the oldest and the most reliable piece of kitchen technology, then a cast iron skillet is certainly the right choice for you. It has a very reliable iron bottom that heats up extremely slowly. This is why a cast iron skillet can hold very high temperatures.  Not only can they hold high temperatures, but they are also quite durable too. This is why they last forever.

2. French Skillet

Looking for a mixture of a skillet and a frying pan? Then a French skillet is a perfect option for you. They have flared edges that resemble a frying pan and a depth that resembles a skillet. This makes the French skillet a perfect choice to cook more food at a single time. The food will not burn or fry either. This is why they are used for browning, sautéing, and cooking a variety of vegetables and meat. Apart from this, they also have a lip. These lips make them perfect for pouring sauces or liquids.

3. Nonstick Skillet

If you are preparing food that has a high risk of sticking to the pan, then a nonstick skillet would be the perfect choice for you. The nonstick material in the skillet will make the food slip easily off the pan. It will be easier to clean the surface of the skillet after cooking as well.

What are the Uses Of A Skillet?

If you are a seasoned home cook, then you must know the importance of a skillet in your kitchen. They can be used for different purposes which can make your life easier in many ways.

Whether you want to use them for roasting, broiling, baking, searing, pan-frying, you can use them for everything. Apart from this, they are also perfect for pouring sauces or liquids due to lips. This is what makes them a perfect choice for your kitchen.

In fact, the more seasoned your skillet is, the better flavor it will give. This is why some people even use the same skillet for years. As they are quite durable, it is possible to use them for a longer period too. You can even re-season them if their seasoning wears out.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Using A Skillet?

Just like a coin has two sides, there are pros and cons of using everything. In the same way, a skillet has pros and cons as well. Some of the pros and cons are discussed below.

Pros

  • They are long-lasting
  • They are durable
  • They can be used for multipurpose
  • They are incredibly versatile
  • They stay hot for a longer period
  • You can easily re-season them
  • They are indestructible!

Cons

  • The handle can get hot
  • It is a bit heavier than other cookware
  • Not suitable for cooking acidic food or boiling water
  • They may need constant re-seasoning
  • It takes longer to heat up

What Is A Frying Pan?

Let’s come to the frying pan now. Although the frying pan is the same as a skillet, it is essentially used to stir fry food rather than cooking food in it. Some people call cast iron pans skillets and nonstick pans are called frying pans. But, this is not entirely the case. Because frying pans are also available in cast iron in addition to carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, and aluminum.

A frying pan is less deep than a skillet. Since a frying pan is mostly used for stir-frying vegetables, meat, and other food items, it does not come with a lid as well. This is the main difference between a frying pan and a skillet.

Pros And Cons Of Using A Frying Pan

Just like a skillet, using a frying pan comes with pros and cons as well. So, you need to consider all the pros and cons before deciding to use it. Let’s take a look at its pros and cons below.

Pros

  • A frying pan is extremely light in weight
  • It can heat up quickly
  • The handle does not get hot
  • You do not require constant re-seasoning in a frying pan.
  • Most of the frying pans today are coming with non-stick coating.

Cons

  • You cannot boil water in them
  • You cannot cook acidic food in a frying pan
  • Unless you are using a nonstick pan, the oil can stick up to the frying pan

When Should You Use A Skillet Or A Frying Pan?

Choosing between a skillet and a frying pan can be confusing. In some food items, a skillet is preferable. While in others, you would require a frying pan. So, it all depends upon the matter of judgment. For example, a well-seasoned pan is perfect for making some eggs for you. On the other hand, if you want to cook a steak, a skillet is the best choice for you.

Although there is not much difference between a skillet and a frying pan, you need to know the main differences between the two of them. Knowing the differences will help you in deciding which cookware to use in cooking certain food items.