What is the best way to defrost food?

[gingerbreadshoes]

After reading freezing threads on here and a change in circumstances I have realised that I can freeze much more than I currently do.

However, my problem is that I don't know how to defrost them safely again.

For example pasta sauces I would reheat from frozen in a saucepan but what about meat or meals such as lasagne?

Probably a silly question but any tips are greatly appreciated.

Safest way is in the fridge, below 8c.

I'd take it out last thing at night before need and then straight into the fridge first thing to cook later.

If I do it in the fridge the whole time it's never defrosted in time.

I usually get some meat out of the freezer in the morning and cook it that night. If I think it's already defrosted before I'm ready to cook it I put it in the freezer. It's safer to let it naturally defrost evenly, than cook it from frozen and risk some bits still being frozen.

My midwife asked me this after I had dd1. Is it some kind of generally known parenting test that only I don't know about?

Thank you for telling me I now feel able to freeze knowing I will use it and not leave it in there for months.

I have no idea where people learn this sort of thing other than on mn. But now I am solely incharge of feeding ds and I these are things I need to know.

Ilovemydog-are you saying you defrost then if you don't use it then you re freeze it? That's really risky.

I think she probably meant she put it in the fridge rather than putting it back in the freezer.

I have a defrost function on my oven that is wonderful. I usually do it in the fridge if I am prepared enough though.

Never organised enough to do anything other than stuff it on defrost in the microwave.

It's no big deal you just check the thickest most central part of things are cooked before eating them.

I happen to have a fancy digital meat thermometer, so I might check things like lasagne and pies with that if I didn't want to stick a hole in them.

Yes I did mean the fridge. Well spotted.

Phew

Some things like prawns I defrost under the tap and say chicken breasts for that night I put in the washing up bowl with cold water still in its packaging.

If you defrost that way or in the microwave its fine as long as your using it ASAP, otherwise I do what Valium does, out over night and in the fridge that morning till ready to use.

If you freeze stuff like pasta sauces, bolognaise in a microwaveable container you can stick it on defrost for 20 mins in the microwave then heat thoroughly.