 LOW FAT FROM THE FREEZER
So here you are, staring blankly at the multitudes of options the freezer case has to offer. You evaluate portion size, fat grams, calories, costs, and pretty pictures on the fronts of boxes. But what does it all mean??? Many professional groups recommend a fat intake of no more than 30 to 35% of total daily calories. For a 1500 calorie diet, this would include 50 grams of fat for 30% and 58 grams for 35%. For a 2000 calorie diet, 67 g. of fat would provide 30% calories, whereas 78 grams would provide 35% (Source: Nutritive Value of Foods. USDA Home and Garden Bulletin 72). Many weight-loss and low cholesterol diets recommend less than 20% fat calories. Low fat frozen entrees from the freezer case range between 8 and 11 oz. and have 2 to 8 grams of fat or more. A standard serving of cooked meat is 3 ounces (28.4 g.) Boneless skinless meats will have the least cookihg loss. What I am really trying to say is that all of us would be better off, health wise as well as money-wise if we prepared our own freezer foods and packaged them ourselves. When preparing a dinner entree, just prepare double or triple the amount you need and freeze it yourself. We have included some of these low fat recipes here. Sweet and Sour Chicken Fresh Leek Soup The secret to many commercial "Low Fat" products can be your secret too! Instant starches are what the commercial companies use to provide thickness and body to cream soups and sauces, salad dressing and dips without fat. This allows the fat to be reduced substantially or eliminated. We have re-introduced one of these thickeners to our line to help everyone use less fat as well as less sugar when preparing both entrees and desserts. This product is called Ultra Gel® and we now have it in stock. Ultra Gel is a modified food starch made of waxy maize (a type of corn) The unique structure of this starch provides viscosity or thickness to liquids without rigidity or gumminess.  In addition, Ultra Gel has been instantized, meaning it has been hydrated, then dehydrated and formed into fluffy granules which rehydrate quickly and easily (almost intstantly) Ultra Gel-thickened products are adjustable: Too thin? Stir in more Ultra Gel. Too thick? Add more liquid. The real difference between this product and other thickeners is that is pours directly into the soups, stews, gravies, with out having to mixed ahead with a cold liquid. We just shake some in while stirring. In fact the sauce or gravy doesn't even need to be warm or hot for it to work. The secret is we just stir it as we add it.
Products thickened with Ultra Gel retain an attractive, clear colour and a pleasant texture, even after freezing and thawing. Your own leftovers can become freezer dinners for future busy days! Try freezing turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing covered with Ultra Gel gravy in individual-sized portions for a quick, yet satisfying dinner at a future date. I have included the nutritional information with each of the recipes attached to this post so you can see that it definitely reduces the fat used when making them. Packaging Tips: Most meats freeze best with a sauce covering them. Sauces keep meat from drying out and block out the air which causes them to absorb off flavours and odours. Package freezer products in moisture-vapor-proof containers or wraps. Make covering airtight and squeeze excess air from freezer bags. Overlay casseroles with double layers of polyvinyl film or plastic wrap (pressed directly onto the product) then cover with a lid of foil. When making bulk amounts package items in shallow containers (no more than 2 inches high) and freeze quickly to insure food safety. Do not stack until items are frozen.  Low Fat Beef Stroganoff Lemon Chicken
|
LOW FAT FROM THE FREEZER
In addition, 
