Once opened use immediately!

[Toastedtoacrisp]

What's the deal with this type of food packaging?

Say I have a tray of 4 chilled battered fish fillets. They are suitable for freezing so long as on the date purchased/stated.

I would like to take 1 out and freeze the rest immediately. So If I open the plastic, sealed pack, am I not allowed to do this? Do the other 3 head to the bin, or do I run outside seeing if anyone in the street fancies a spare fish fillet?

Is it a ploy to make you purchase more than you need, or can we actually just separate the damn fish in an economical fashion? I would have to open the pack to get one fillet out, so If they all have to be eaten immediately, they can forget it.

It'll be fine to freeze the other bits. I usually pop them individually into reusable freezer bags as soon as I open the packet to cook the one I want.

Split them up and freeze them separately. It's what I've always done.

I think that’s fine. In fact I think it’s fine to even leave them in the fridge for a few days if you seal it with clingfilm or put them in a bag/box. If they are battered maybe it’s so they don’t go stale from the air?

Thank you. I am presuming they dont want you to just open one then leave the rest sitting in the fridge in an open pack.

I would place the rest into a sealed sandwich box but separate bags is a great idea!

? Just take one out and freeze the rest. Isn't that what everyone does?

I just read that instruction as: once opened, either cook straightaway or freeze straightaway. I do this with chicken breasts and mince. It never sits in the fridge once opened, it's either cooked or frozen.

But could you open it then freeze the rest right away, so as to enable you to eat them separately?

I am embarrassed to admit Im inexperienced with fish, usually just eat fresh chicken or pork.

With anything if it says suitable for home freezing then separate into individual bags if needed and then freeze. It will be fine. Just check whether once frozen they have to be defrosted thoroughly before cooking or if they can be cooked from frozen, then just label accordingly.

I think these give instructions for both cooking frozen and chilled. It doesnt say thaw first.

This is the label:

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic...use one, freeze the rest.

Yes, so you open the packet, take out the piece you're going to cook, then put the other pieces of fish into a freezer bag or Tupperware and put into freezer straight away.

Yeah what you're proposing is fine. They just mean don't leave them in the fridge opened to the air.

OP - That's fine then, you can either cook from frozen or defrost first and then cook. Cooking from frozen will just take longer that's all.

Yes that suggests can cook from frozen

Well what would you do with a pack of 4 pork chops if you only wanted to cook 1?

Thanks everyone, I am a bit stupid in these matters!
But the idea of me intending sarcasm, that's a strange one
Am going to enjoy my battered haddock!

If they were fresh/chilled, i probably wouldn't buy 4 as I live alone. Do occasionally share some with DP though if two servings, but tend to mostly buy small packs of chicken (150g or thereabouts). I so wish there were more products sized for single eaters
Would love to buy those microwave rice packs but most of it would be left aside.

I only use bags as find they stick together otherwise which is annoying if you only want 1 at a time!

You can keep the rest of the microwave rice pack in the fridge for 3 days. It usually says on the packet.

Take half out and microwave it in a dish keep the rest in the packet.

We would just microwave half the packet of rice and freeze the rest. Defrost thoroughly before using the frozen portion and heat it until it’s piping hot.

Thanks so much for the tips. I am used to eating very fresh, so salads and stuff that don't get frozen. I am trying to use my freezer more for economic reasons (and to produce less waste) but a little out of the loop.

So could I also buy a box of chilled frites from M&S, eat half then freezer bag the rest once opened?

I thought we couldnt reheat rice once cooked? Again, i usually cook it by the cup from dry. Microwaving it would be so much easier!

You can definitely reheat rice. You have to, to make fried rice! You just need to make sure it’s cooled properly and reheated properly. Or just microwave half the bag at a time.