In order to make full use of the dibs and dabs of food you freeze for later use, it is vital that you label the container with what it is. This seems like the simplest advice in the world, but too often we don't do it, thinking we will remember what it is, but unfortunately, we don't if any time has lapsed at all. Bottom line is that you can't put too much information on a label of a foodstuff you are freezing, particularly if it is a single ingredient. When you make this a habit, your budget and your sanity will appreciate your effort.
This is very good advice if you can remember to do it! I start out with very good intentions but then fall back to my old ways. I just don't freeze or even refrigerate dibs and dabs of stuff that I feel we ultimately won't use....even tho I hate to waste, I also hate to waste my time!
For fridged leftovers, I put them in a Tupperware type container, seal it, write the info on a piece of masking tape with a Sharpie marker and stick it on the side of the Tupperware. If you stick the tape on the container before it is cold, it will stay. If you forget and try to stick the tape on after the container becomes cold, it won't adhere.
Yup, I mark items as they go in the freezer too. Make up my own TV dinners in plastic containers and label them. I also keep an inventory of what's in the freezer. When I add something, I list the date, what it is, how much it weighs or how many servings, and how many packages. For instance, if I buy a 10 pound boneless pork loin I may end up with 2 2-pound roasts, 6 2-serving packs of chops, and 2 1-pound packs of pieces for stir-fry. I'd write that on the inventory slip with the date, each type of item to it's own line. Then when I'm planning a meal, I'd check the inventory looking through the "oldest" first, reach in the freezer and pull out the marked package, and cross off what I took. I also check my inventory list before I go shopping so I don't buy what I don't need.
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