I came across this “Works For Me Wednesday” tip some time ago. I am just getting around to using it in my kitchen. I find that once I open a can of tomato paste I just stick the unused portion in the fridge and forget about it. By the time I go back for it, there’s usually some hardening and discoloration around the rim. So keeping in line with the book “Thrift in the Household“, I will begin taking steps to becoming more thrifty in my own household. Starting with my unused portions of tomato paste.
The “WFMW” tipster said to immediately ration out portion sized dollups of tomato paste onto a flat surface and freeze. I used tablespoon portions.
Once frozen these dollups can be stored in a ziploc bag in the freezer. Now, whenever I need to add some tomato flavor to a dish or color to my spanish rice I’ll have some on hand pre-measured.
Thanks Sallie. I will stop by.
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That’s a great idea!!
I wanted to invite you to join the homeschool lounge as it opens up and makes its grand debut today!! Its a great place just for homeschoolers!!
It’s at:
http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com
I hope I see you there!!
Sallie
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Yes Elizabeth, I did leave them in the cans. They would be wrapped in foil or saran wrap to keep out the air. I could never find anything small enough to hold the small amount of paste left over. So this tip has really helped me.
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Have you been leaving your sauce in the can or putting it in another container? It’s not safe to leave foods in the fridge in open cans, and tomato sauce is one of the worst. Once a can is opened, foods exposed to air leach chemicals out of the cans. Or, at least that’s what I’ve always heard. I don’t know if that’s an old wives’ tale or not. At any rate, though I am bad about not using up leftovers as I should, I don’t ever leave anything in an open can.
I like the idea of freezing the tomato paste and then putting the portions in zip lock bags. You can do that with so many things. I used to freeze broth from cooking chickens in ice cube trays and then put the cubes in bags. We have an ice maker, but I used to keep the trays just to freeze small portions of things.
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