※Storage Duration: Approximately 14 days after freezing
【Table of Contents】(Click on the blue numbers to start watching from your point of interest)
00:00:00 - Opening
00:00:36 - Pork: Plum Shiso Cheese Mille-feuille Cutlet
00:04:44 - Pork: Pork Chashu
00:10:00 - Pork: Pork and Onion Stew
00:12:26 - Pork: Spiral Pepper Cheese Bake
00:16:39 - Chicken: Chicken Cutlet
00:20:39 - Chicken: Chicken Tomato Stew
00:24:39 - Chicken: Chicken Nori Roll
00:28:06 - Chicken: Chicken Mushroom Roll
00:32:50 - Minced Meat: Hamburg Steak
00:37:31 - Minced Meat: Sweet and Sour Meatballs
00:41:27 - Minced Meat: Minced Meat Cutlet
00:45:27 - Minced Meat: Asparagus Meatball
00:49:43 - Fish: Plum Shiso Fried Horse Mackerel
00:53:24 - Fish: Mackerel Plum Shiso Roll
00:57:18 - Fish: Salmon Lotus Root Sandwich
01:02:44 - Egg: Tamagoyaki (Japanese Omelette)
01:07:00 - Egg: Gyoza Skin Quiche
01:09:14 - Green: Spinach and Dried Fish Mix
01:11:44 - Green: Spinach and Butter Corn
01:14:32 - Green: Broccoli with Dried Shrimp
01:18:01 - Green: Broccoli with Sesame Vinegar
01:19:12 - Orange: Carrot Barley Salad
01:21:41 - Orange: Carrot Stir Fry
01:24:22 - Orange: Carrot Glacé
01:26:27 - Orange: Stir-Fried Broccoli Stems and Carrots with Dried Shrimp
01:28:55 - Black: Hijiki Seaweed and Lotus Root Stir Fry
01:31:40 - Black: Black Sesame Potato Dumplings
01:35:17 - White: Citrus Daikon Salad
01:37:43 - White: Lotus Root and Nori Stir Fry
01:39:33 - White: Daikon with Yuzu Pepper
01:41:35 - Packing the Lunch Box
【About Frozen Side Dishes】
〜Summary〜
You can freeze almost anything you usually cook, no special recipes needed. It is recommended to start with dishes you often make and are familiar with. It is not advised to prepare both main and side dishes at once as it can be overwhelming.
◎ Cooking
- Spinach, broccoli, and peppers, which are relatively soft and watery, should be cooked al dente.
- Carrots and radishes should be cut thicker to be just right when thawed. Cut along the fibers to prevent them from becoming too limp.
- Pickles can be frozen with their juice, allowing them to marinate slowly in the freezer.
- Flattening chicken breasts reduces dryness.
- Freeze seasonings (sauces) together with dishes to marinate during freezing and prevent drying. However, be aware that flavors can intensify over time.
- Adding mayonnaise, cornstarch, and sugar allows eggs to be frozen.
◎ Freezing
- Baby food containers were used, but placing side dish cups on a stainless steel tray also works without worrying about the size of the dishes.
- If there is no space in the freezer, wrapping each item in plastic wrap and storing in ziplock bags is also fine.
◎ Thawing
- Thawing naturally is not recommended for safety reasons. It is better to heat thoroughly in the microwave, as significant moisture may be released. Heating once before packing is advisable.
- Fried foods should be briefly heated in the microwave and then toasted for 3-5 minutes to finish deliciously. You can also fully heat them in the microwave. However, toasting alone may not heat the food thoroughly.
◎ Ingredients Not Suitable for Freezing
- Boiled eggs become sponge-like.
- Asparagus becomes very fibrous when frozen, so it's better to cut it diagonally or use thinner domestic varieties.
- Potatoes should be heated and mashed if frozen.
- Watery vegetables like sprouts (e.g., radish sprouts) and lettuce.
- Mayonnaise separates easily when frozen, so it's not recommended unless it's mixed into other ingredients rather than used in a dressing.