Blueberry ?

Discussion in 'Other Conversation' started by mom24boys!, Jan 17, 2012.

  1. mom24boys!

    mom24boys! New Member

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    I was given a bag of fresh blueberries that had been frozen and then thawed. Can I refreeze them? If not how long will they stay good? TIA
     
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  3. Emma's#1fan

    Emma's#1fan Active Member

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    I freeze and refreeze my leftover blueberries. They will get mushy when they thaw. You can still use them in muffins and drinks or whatever. They just aren't as pretty but are still tasty.
     
  4. mom24boys!

    mom24boys! New Member

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    Thanks Patty!

    Now can someone tell me why you can't refreeze uncooked meat?
     
  5. Emma's#1fan

    Emma's#1fan Active Member

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    I refreeze my meat at least twice a month. Sometimes I take it out to thaw and end up not using it so I plop it back in the freezer. As long as it is still cold, I do not see a problem. After all, we would have eaten it at that point. So it is still good. I have never had a problem with it.
     
  6. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Patty, that's very unsafe! I'm not sure I can explain this correctly, but I'll try. Bacteria reproduces at a certain rate. When raw meat is frozen and thawed, the rate at which it reproduces increases. If frozen and thawed again, that rate again increases. So it goes bad so much quicker. I'm thinking it increases expotentially, but am not sure if that's correct.

    Have you considered drying the blueberries?
     
  7. ABall

    ABall Super Moderator

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    if your meat still is partially frozen you can re-freeze it. I would think that if you compleetly thaw meat you should cook it with in a day or two and even if you don't use it then you can re-freeze it....... for example hamburger, cooke, drain and freeze and you are set for sloppy joes or spaghetti some night. Cook and cube chicken breast for pot pie, soup, etc...
     
  8. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Yes. You can cook it and then refreeze it.
     
  9. Emma's#1fan

    Emma's#1fan Active Member

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    I read something along those lines in a health book.

    When I take my meat out, I put it in the 'fridge to thaw. Once in a while I do thaw it on the counter, usually if it is a large piece of meat, then I cook it and refreeze left overs. We seperate our meats into individual meals so they thaw fast in the 'fridge. Again, I do not know if the 'fridge keeps it cold enough but I have never had a problem from it. This isn't to say it isn't risky. I honestly couldn't say since I we haven't gotten sick from refreezing raw meat.
     
  10. Emma's#1fan

    Emma's#1fan Active Member

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    Something else I do before seperating my meats, I rinse them in cold water to remove any old blood that is sticky on the outside. Then before I cook my meat, I rinse it in cold water again. This is something that is suggested on the package of some meat products. I guess the rinsing helps rid some of the bacterias that build in the blood over time. I do not know if that helps or not.
     
  11. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    I always thaw meat on the counter, even in the summer. That's probably as unsafe as you refreezing raw meat. You know, I bet if you were to thaw re-frozen meat on the counter, there's be a lot greater chance of trouble! I never thought of rinsing the meat first; that's probably a good idea!
     
  12. azhomeschooler

    azhomeschooler New Member

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    I am very paranoid in the bacteria area, so I never thaw meat on the counter and never refreeze items (unless I have cooked it and am refreezing a cooked product). Then again, I am also one to be a stickler for expiration dates (except on non-perishables).
     
  13. Brenda

    Brenda Active Member

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    Foods may be safely refrozen if they still contain ice crystals. Put the packages in the coldest part of the freezer, mark them and use them within two or three months.

    If a food is completely thawed, but still cold, and refrigerator temperature (34 – 40 degrees F.), move to the refrigerator and use it within two days. Do not refreeze. You can only refreeze it if it has been cooked (because the high temperature in which you cooked it kills off any bacteria that might be present).

    If food is completely thawed, warmed to room temperature or left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, throw the food out for safety’s sake. These principles apply to meat, poultry, shellfish, some vegetables and cooked foods.
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2012
  14. mom24boys!

    mom24boys! New Member

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    How would I do this?
     
  15. Emma's#1fan

    Emma's#1fan Active Member

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    I took this from the FDA site. They jumble raw food with cooked in the same paragraph but I think it explains a little. I found the last sentence to be interesting. I never thought about it but I buy most of my meats frozen and if I am not able to seperate them immediately, I toss them in the 'fridge over night and seperate them in the morning then refreeze the meat. I do not refreeze it if it sits in the 'fridge for more than a full 24 hours from bringing it home. I cook it and refreeze it unless it is still partially frozen or icy.




    "Once food is thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze it without cooking, although there may be a loss of quality due to the moisture lost through thawing. After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods. If previously cooked foods are thawed in the refrigerator, you may refreeze the unused portion. Freeze leftovers within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze any foods left outside the refrigerator longer than 2 hours; 1 hour in temperatures above 90 °F.

    If you purchase previously frozen meat, poultry or fish at a retail store, you can refreeze if it has been handled properly."





    Here is the link
    http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets/Focus_On_Freezing/index.asp
     
  16. Emma's#1fan

    Emma's#1fan Active Member

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    This is turning out to be an interesting lesson is health! lol
     
  17. Emma's#1fan

    Emma's#1fan Active Member

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    I am a stickler for expiration dates too. I toss my milk out when it expires. Most people I know say it is still good but I will not drink it. I toss out dressings and anything that expires. I know people who keep yogurt past the expiration date without problems but I can't get myself to put it in my mouth past that point.
     
  18. mom24boys!

    mom24boys! New Member

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    Thanks for the info Patty!
     
  19. Emma's#1fan

    Emma's#1fan Active Member

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    You are welcome. This will make a great homeschool lesson. lol
     
  20. Brenda

    Brenda Active Member

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    I have a bunch of nutrition related stuff from my nursing course if any of it is of interest to you guys (I think some of the material was sent to us online and I can copy and paste it if needed).
     
  21. Jackie

    Jackie Active Member

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    Yes, very interesting!!!
     

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