[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference turris::cooks

Title:How to Make them Goodies
Notice:Please Don't Start New Notes for Old Topics! Check 5.*
Moderator:FUTURE::DDESMAISONSec.com::winalski
Created:Tue Feb 18 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:4127
Total number of notes:31160

2630.0. "LUNCH MEAT: How to Store It" by TARKIN::TING (Albert Ting) Mon Sep 24 1990 15:51

Couldn't find an appropriate note for this.  

I was  wondering if any body knows how to make lunch meat last longer than a
week.   It  would be great if I could buy enough meat to last two weeks so I
could  save  some shopping time.  I've tried freezing with some paper towels
to soak up the moisture but it doesn't work very well.  Any useful ideas?

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2630.1It all depends on which habits you want to change...NITMOI::PESENTIOnly messages can be draggedMon Sep 24 1990 16:1326
Well, I find that keeping it in the coldest part of the fridge gives me the 
most storage time.  My fridge has a meat keeper that keeps stuf at about 33F
if I set it right.  Or, get a tupperware coldcut keeper, and put it down the
bottom.

Also, buying the drier varieties helps, like hard or Genoa salami instead of 
cotto salami.  

If you buy the presliced prepackaged stuff, buy smaller packages, and don't 
open them until you are going to use them.  (The Louis Rich stuff is actually
pretty good.)  The down side of this is that you should open a ham and eat it, 
then open the turkey and eat it, etc.  Instead of opening several varieties 
and having something different every day.

If you prefer the deli stuff, buy chunks and slice it yourself.  This means you 
either get real goo with a knife, or you buy a yuppie slicer for your home, or
you get used to eating a sandwich with one THICK slice of meat in it.

And, by the way, some cold cuts, like turkey and ham tend to get a tad slimy.  I
find that this slime wipes off with a damp paper towel and the meat is perfectly
good.  However, if it's slimy and smells "off", toss it.

But, all these ideas are tradeoffs involving some change of habit.  Myself, I 
found that going to the supermarket more often ain't all that bad.  I just go 
in with a list of 4-5 items, and ONLY buy those items.  Makes for a real quick
trip.  (Too bad there aren't more real delicatessens around...)
2630.2AIR-TIGHT Container...AKOFIN::LANEHe's a cold hearted snake....Mon Sep 24 1990 16:1911
If you decide to get the tupperware cold cut keeper contact me off-line and 
I can help you out.  

The advantage to these is that it is an air-tight container, which in turn 
will make your food last longer .

I usually buy a large amount of cold cuts and then divide them up into 
containers.  One I put in the refridgerator, the others I put in the freezer.


Debbie
2630.3 Separate and FreezeDPDMAI::EASTERLINGKeep an Ace in the HoleTue Sep 25 1990 01:336
    Seems to me that the easy way of storing any processed meat would
    be to freeze it. If you want a variety just package it up that way.
    Another possibility would be to separate the slices with a freezer
    paper (wax paper might work) and place them in a ziplock storage bag
    then just use a knife to pop them apart when you need them. A couple 
    of seconds in the microwave will thaw them right out.
2630.4CAESAR::HARRISBrian HarrisTue Sep 25 1990 19:118
    
    
    My Mom's trick when we were in school:
    
    Make the sandwiches, put in plastic sandwich bags, label, and freeze.
    Each morning we kids would grab a sandwich from the freezer and put it
    in our lunch bags, and it would have thawed by lunchtime.