Ever had that moment when you’re cooking dinner, and all of a sudden you realize that you’re out of one of the basic and essential ingredients? You quickly glance around the kitchen in desperation, wondering what else you can find to make the pie go further. Perhaps there’s an icemaker nearby, or if not then surely there must be some sort of sauce that you can make to complement the fish?
This is what led me to write this particular article. For the past few weeks I’ve been wondering just how long fish pie will last in the fridge. It’s a constant worry for me, especially since I don’t like to waste food – especially when I’m trying to follow a healthy diet and lose some weight. This is one of the primary reasons why I don’t often cook, and why I get so nervous when I do.
There are some really easy ways to ensure that your fish pie will remain fresh for a long time, so I’m going to list some of the best tips and tricks for you to remember.
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Buy The Biggest Fish You Can Fit In Your Fridge
If you’re like me and you find that cutting corners results in disappointment more often than not, then you’ll want to take this tip into consideration. One of the main reasons why fish pie often tends to go bad is because the fish isn’t very fresh. The water off which it’s fished isn’t always clear enough for us to know that it’s really fresh, so it tends to deteriorate very quickly when kept at room temperature. Even worse, some of it can be rather slimy when overcooked, which may leave you feeling a bit unclean.
By buying the biggest fish you can fit into your fridge, you’re practically guaranteeing that you’ll have a bit more leeway when it comes to the size of your pie. Plus, the larger the fish, the better – both in terms of taste and texture. Your guests will be impressed, and you can feel confident that the fish will remain appetizing and fresh for a very long time.
Freeze The Top Plate Before Serving
It’s important to ensure that your pie is completely frozen prior to serving. The easiest and most effective way to do this is to freeze the top plate before adding the fish and the vegetables. This way the food won’t defrost during cooking. You can either do this a few hours ahead or even a day or two before you plan on serving. Just make sure that the fish doesn’t become icy when taken out of the freezer.
It’s vital to keep your fish frozen, especially when you’re taking it out of the fridge for a moment. The moment you take your frozen fish out of the freezer, it begins to thaw, and that’s when all the problems begin.
Only Cook What You Need For The Number Of Guests You Have
One of the biggest mistakes that people often make when it comes to fish pie is going overboard and making way more of it than they need. It’s all about having enough plates to accommodate the number of guests you have, so you don’t end up with any leftovers. One of the best things you can do for yourself and your wallet is to only cook what you need. This means that instead of having a monster pie that you can’t possibly serve due to space constraints, you can have two smaller ones.
You can fit a whole fish in your fridge – but you don’t need to. You can also have some salmon or trout frozen for later, or you can make a fish casserole, or fish pasta puttanesca. The key is to figure out what’s going to be the perfect amount for the number of guests you have, and to make sure you don’t exceed that. You can also ask the person next to you at the table if you’re unsure.
Cooking what you need doesn’t only apply to fish pie. You can use this principle with any recipe and find out how to make the most of what you have where you are, instead of being forced to buy additional ingredients. Plus, it costs you less money in the long run.
Keep Track Of The Number Of Servings
When I make large amounts of food for family and friends, I always find that it’s a pain in the butt to keep track of how many servings there are of each recipe. This can be even more of a chore when you’re cooking for a crowd, because there are so many more people to account for when you’re dividing the portions.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to avoid this particular problem is to keep track of the number of servings of each individual portion of food. That way, you can be sure that each person at the table gets their fair share and no one is hurt by overeating.
Use Airtight Containers
Inevitably, when you’re dealing with leftovers in the fridge, they will begin to accumulate and eventually reach a point where you have to remove some of the unwanted food before it grows any worse. This is when the damage is usually done. Once the food has begun to go bad, it’s generally accepted practice to throw it out.
If you use airtight containers whenever you store food in the fridge, it will be much easier to tell at a glance what’s gone bad and what’s not. Airtight containers are also much easier to clean, as you don’t have to worry about any of the edges becoming rough due to constant battering against the inside walls of the refrigerator. Even better, they tend to be much more durable, which means you don’t have to replace them as often.
Check The Smell Of The Food Before You Eat It
This one may sound odd, but it’s amazing how many people don’t realize the significance of good ol’ fashioned nose-picking when it comes to determining the freshness of their food. It’s not exactly an easy trick to learn, but you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it all along.
If you find that the food you’re cooking has a foul odor, then it’s best to stop what you’re doing and take a good sniff. Chances are, whatever it is you’re smelling isn’t good, and it’s probably best to avoid it.
There are some foods that have an amazing aroma that can only be described as “fantastic” or “exquisite”. Think about all of the wonderful aromas that exist in all of the different kinds of breads, cakes, and cookies. These are all wonderful foods, but you shouldn’t eat them if they give off an odor that makes you feel sick.
Thaw Frozen Food In The Fridge
Once you’ve thawed frozen food in the refrigerator, it’s important to remember that temperatures vary from one freezer to another, so you’ll have to adjust accordingly. It’s best to defrost food as quickly as possible, but you don’t want to warm it up too much either, or else you’ll end up sacrificing freshness. You can generally estimate how long it takes for food to defrost by looking at the thickness of the ice that has formed around the food.
Use Ice Cream Sundaes To Indicate Freshness
Let’s say you’ve made a large batch of brownies. If you want to indicate how fresh they are, you can decorate them with ice cream sandwiches. When you take a closer look, you’ll see that each brownie has a small sandwich in the middle, and since the brownies are deep fried, they’ll remain fresh for quite some time.
This is one of the simplest and most effective ways of keeping track of what’s been cooked and when, which is why I tend to resort to it whenever I make food for family and friends. It doesn’t cost you much and it ensures that everyone gets a decent amount, which is always nice when you’re cooking for a crowd.
There are many variables that can affect the freshness of your food, so the best thing you can do for yourself is to use the tips and tricks I’ve discussed here. With a little bit of planning and organization, you’ll be able to enjoy your delicious fish meal for many years to come.