Why do frozen vegetable packets advise cooking from frozen, and should I follow that advice?
Packets of frozen vegetables often say "cook from frozen" or "do not defrost" in the cooking instructions. For stir frying at least, many people recommend the opposite, such as in this question. I can understand the logic behind defrosting, but the recommendations don't explain why I should trust them over the packet directions.
Why do packets say "cook from frozen", and if I'm not supposed to follow that instruction, why not? Is it based on a myth? Is there a legitimate problem with cooking thawed vegetables that can actually be circumvented to achieve even better results?
I'm particularly interested in stir-frying mixed vegetables and baking french fries but this can apply to other methods of cooking too.
Best Answer
Well, "cook from frozen" comes with instructions on how to cook from frozen, on stovetop or microwave. So their results are probably best for those methods.
Stir frying is a different process, so, unless they have stir-fry specific instructions, you should take the "from frozen" instructions to be specific to the methods and instructions given on the package for preparation, not necessarily an admonition for all types of preparation.
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Quick Answer about "Why do frozen vegetable packets advise cooking from frozen, and should I follow that advice?"
Freezing, heating and chemical compounds can control enzyme actions. Freezing slows enzyme activity so that many frozen foods, such as meats and many fruits, will keep satisfactorily with little or no further treatment. Enzymes in vegetables are inactivated by heat during the recommended blanching process.Why do frozen vegetables say do not thaw?
Why Do Frozen Foods Say \u201cDo Not Thaw\u201d? Frozen foods say \u201cdo not thaw\u201d on them for several reasons. Frozen foods need to be stored in a freezing environment to prevent thawing to the point where they can grow and develop food-borne illnesses. It's not safe to store frozen foods in the fridge for months on end.Should frozen vegetables be thawed before cooking?
There's no need to thaw veggies in advance \u2014 they quickly thaw during any cooking process, and cooking them from a frozen state can help you achieve the best texture, Shepherd said. The only exceptions are corn on the cob and leafy greens.Why do frozen vegetables need to be cooked?
Most people think of frozen vegetables as relatively safe but, they are not intended to be consumed without cooking, because they may contain bacteria that are only killed when cooked properly and thoroughly.Should I thaw frozen vegetables before stir-frying?
You can stir fry frozen vegetables without the extra step of defrosting them or letting them thaw or running them under some water to get rid of the ice. They stir fry nicely from frozen, so don't worry about that.Ana Allende advises cooking frozen vegetables before eating
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Answer 2
It is primarily to prevent bacteria growth when thawing.
There are also some vegetables that change texture and consistency when they thaw, because they effectively sit in the water from the ice that melts.
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