Freeze plastic-free - Here's how

Freezing is my favorite way to store food in large quantities ❄️

So I still enjoy berries from last summer in winter, spring wild garlic pesto in autumn or just homemade bread from last month 🤤

I used to like to use plastic bags or other plastic containers. But it can also be plastic-free! And the whole thing is really simple and practical if you have the right containers.

Freezing in the glass

Old jam jars or other glasses are ideal for portioning soups, freezing sauces or berries. There are a few small things to keep in mind so that the glass does not crack and so that you can get the berries out of the glass again.

• The glasses should be filled to a maximum of 2/3, so that the liquids have enough space to unfold.
• The berries should be dried after washing; so they hardly stick together at all.
• The glasses should be thawed at room temperature or in the fridge before heating, then you can simply heat them in a water bath or of course heat the soup/sauce directly in the pan.

Freezing in the bag

Silicone bags are probably the most versatile containers. It can be used to store and freeze liquids, meals, fruits, berries and much more. They do not break and the food can be heated directly in them in a water bath or in the microwave.

They are available in many sizes and colors. Here are some ideas for what to freeze in it:

• Portion your smoothie ingredients so you can just pull one bag out of the freezer each day
• Make Meal-Prep: Cook a large batch of lentil stew and fill each portion into a bag. Simply put it in the freezer in the evening and warm it up in the microwave the next afternoon
• In summer, simply put the freshly picked berries from the field in a large bag and nibble on a pinch of summer all winter long

Freeze in cloth or oilcloth

I prefer to freeze bread in a cloth or oilcloth. Otherwise you need a very large bag or box and the cloth does not take up much additional space.

I then wrap the bread tightly in the cloth or oilcloth and just put it in the drawer of my freezer. To fix the cloth, I use rubber bands or cords if necessary.

Here's how to defrost frozen bread so it tastes almost like it was fresh out of the oven:

• Take the bread out of the freezer about 8 hours beforehand and let it thaw at room temperature, wrapped in a cloth.
• Preheat the oven to 180°C
• Wet the whole loaf with water: I just rub it in a bit with my wet hands.
• Let soak in for a few minutes
• Bake the bread on a rack in the middle of the oven for about 12 minutes (small loaves shorter, large loaves longer)

Freeze in ice cube molds

You only need a very small amount of some. Ice cube molds are perfect for small amounts! They are quickly filled and the small portions defrosted just as quickly.

Some of the things you can freeze in ice cube molds:

• Pesto
• Herb Pot: Mix some oil with fresh herbs. Ideal for frying!
• tomato puree
• Plant milk for iced coffee or tea

I hope these tips make it easier for you to store your homemade (or even store-bought) goodies :)