A few cooking/recipe questions..

[C.Ann]

Good evening all.. Just finished copying over some more recipes and have a few questions I'm sure someone here will be able to answer..

Yogurt: Can all types be safely frozen and used later?

Maple sugar: Is this available in regular supermarkets - and if so, what type of packaging does it come in? I can't recall ever having seen it anywhere..

And last, but not least - Mushrooms: No one in my family or DD's family has ever liked them, so when I use them for myself I buy the small cans of mushroom slices or stems and pieces.. Several recipes are calling for "fresh" mushrooms - to be sauteed with other items.. Can I use the canned instead - and if not, what do I "look" for when buying fresh mushrooms? What kind of preparations are involved prior to use? How long do they stay "fresh" - and should they be kept in the fridge? If so, in what type of container - covered, uncovered, etc.?

TIA..

 

[JerseyJanice]

I've never frozen yogurt. I don't know that you can. For one thing, yogurt is a natural way of preserving milk like sour cream. I wonder whether it would separate and be ruined.

I have never seen maple sugar in a store either. I think it's a natural by-product of the extraction process for maple syrup. Have you tried searching for it on-line? I think there are a lot of maple syrup makers on-line so I would think a few of them sell maple sugar too.

When buying fresh white mushrooms, look for smooth, undimpled caps. Don't buy 'shrooms that look dry and woody. My supermarket sells them in a plastic container that's dated. I keep them in there and use them by the date stamped. Mushrooms shrink a great deal, so don't be afraid to use the whole package (8 to 10 oz) in a family meal.

Every cooking pro I've ever talked to advises you NOT to wash them in water. That's because 'shrooms are like little sponges and will absorb the water you wash them in. This is one rule I personally break when they are fairly dirty and extra water in a dish (like a sauce for example) won't hurt it. If they're fairly clean and/or you don't want extra water seeping into your dish (e.g., a batter or eggs), wipe the dirt off with a brush or paper towel. Trim off and discard the edge of the stems.

If you want to prepare stuffed mushrooms, ask me how. I make some mean stuffed 'shrooms.

 

[kacaju]

I freeze yogurt that I use in fruit smoothies.
I buy a 5 lb bag of frozen fruit at Costco and a large container of vanilla yogurt from the supermarket.
I freeze the yogurt in a cup cake pan. I don't measure, just scoop the yogurt in the cupcake pan and freeze. Once it is frozen I take about a cup of the frozen fruit,
1 *thing* of yogurt and about a 1/4-1/2 cup sugar and freeze it together in a ziplock bag.
In the morning I dump that into my blender and add milk. Tastes great!!

 

[C.Ann]

Thank you both for your replies..

So "fresh" mushrooms aren't supposed to be washed? Hmmm.. I don't think I like the sounds of that..

As for the yogurt - I could have sworn I saw frozen yogurt desserts or something either in the supermarket or advertised on tv..

 

[pixiewings71]

I always wash my mushrooms. I buy them in the little package at the store but you could buy them individually as well. I wouldn't substitute canned mushrooms for fresh tho, the taste is completely different.

 

[cristit14]

I wash my mushrooms too. I usually buy them individually though since DH is really the only that likes them.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Frozen yogurt when it's made to be that should be easy to find in the ice cream section. I thought maybe you asked about freezing so you can stock up when it's on sale.

Speaking of yogurt, have you tried Chobani brand Greek yogurt yet? I bought some yesterday because I had a coupon. I ate a container of pineapple for breakfast, and oh my, was it good! Scrumptious flavor and texture.

My coworker buys a big container of plain Greek non-fat yogurt, then adds some fruit from Costco's frozen 3 berry mix. I think I'm going to try doing the same thing. Greek yogurt is delicious, filling, low-calorie and nutritious. You must try it, if you haven't already.