Cooking at home is an excellent way to save money and eat healthier, but it may also result in food waste if you don’t know how to properly store it.
The million dollar question that comes to our minds whenever we’re dealing with leftovers or trying to prepare meals in advance is- ‘How do you preserve cooked food at home?
Before we dive into various ways of how do you preserve cooked food at home, let’s first understand –
What is Cooked Food Preservation?
Cooked food preservation procedures are simpler techniques to make food more resistant to microbial growth by decelerating fat oxidation. In a more generic term, preservation increases the shelf life of cooked food by preventing it from being off or wasted.
In ancient times, people used cold winter nights as a form of refrigeration, fermentation of vegetables and drinks, and drying or smoking the meat, which in fact is still very much intact in colder countries. The most recent ways were paved in by technology. Now we freeze pasteurize or simply can it in air-tight containers.
Here are 5 ways to preserve cooked food at home in answer to the question of how do you preserve cooked food at home
1. Refrigeration
Refrigeration is one of the simplest and most often used method of preserving cooked food at home. This entails keeping food in the refrigerator at temperatures ranging from 0 to 5 degree celcius. This will reduce bacterial development and keep food fresh for a longer length of time. To preserve cooked food fresh in the refrigerator, store it in airtight containers or wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. This will help to keep out any germs or moisture that might ruin the food.
2. Canning
Another way of preserving cooked food at home is canning. Canning is a method of preserving food that involves heating it to a high temperature before sealing it in airtight jars. This procedure eliminates bacteria and enzymes that might ruin food and generates a vacuum that keeps air and germs out of the jar. Canning is an excellent way to preserve fruits, vegetables, and even meats; however, specific equipment is required, and correct canning processes must be followed to avoid food contamination.
3. Dehydration
This way to preserve cooked food at home has gained favor in recent years. Dehydration is a procedure that includes eliminating the water from food, which makes bacteria growth and survival harder. Dehydration can be accomplished with a dehydrator or in a low-temperature oven. Dehydrated food may be kept for up to a year and is an excellent way to preserve fruits, vegetables, and even meat.
4. Pickling
Lastly, pickling is a textbook method of preserving cooked food at home that has been utilized for generations. Pickling is the process of soaking food in a vinegar-based solution seasoned with salt, sugar, and spices. This technique kills germs and enzymes while also imparting a distinct taste to the food. Pickling is an excellent technique to preserve vegetables such as cucumbers, onions, and peppers, as well as to use up any veggies that are about to go bad. Meanwhile if you want to know more about how to make momos chutney at home then this article can help.
Conclusion
Preserving cooked food at home is vital for reducing food waste, saving money, and having healthier food always, available. Food may be preserved in a variety of methods, including chilling and freezing, as well as canning, dehydration, and pickling. Each method has its benefits and limitations, and it is critical to select the one that is ideal for your needs.
To avoid food poisoning, always keep food in airtight containers or bags and use correct canning processes. You can easily preserve cooked food at home and enjoy it for weeks or even months with a little effort and preparation.
