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Beginner June 2008

Foodies - can I freeze risotto?

Hitched in Paris, 16 June, 2009 at 12:27 Posted on Off Topic Posts 0 5

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I've overestimated the amount of risotto rice again and have a mountain of creamy, buttery, herby chicken and mushroom risotto. Hubby is away and the kids and I have eaten enough but half is left. I know that long grain rice tends to disintegrate a bit when it defrosts, but surely that doesn't matter with risotto rice? What do you think? Can I freeze it or am I going to be eating it for the next 2 days?

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Latest activity by Hitched in Paris, 16 June, 2009 at 13:26

Beginner April 2007
bingy · 16 June, 2009 at 12:30
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I've frozen risotto before. You just have to be careful when you defrost it - I did it in the microwave and it did seem a bit dry so I added some more stock/wine and it was fine. I expect it might fare a bit better if you defrosted it slowly in a fridge and just heated it up from cold rather than frozen. (disclaimer: not a foodie!)
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Beginner June 2008
Hitched in Paris · 16 June, 2009 at 12:36
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Thanks bingy. Don't have a microwave so defrosting will be done in the fridge anyway. I'd probably add more stock when heating up anyway (didn't put wine in as risotto was for the baby too - drinking wine now!)
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Merlini · 16 June, 2009 at 13:00
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You can freeze risotto but you need to be careful cooling and reheating rice - it is possible to get food poisoning like this. I believe that uncooked rice can carry spores that are not killed by heat and when the rice cools they can germinate. Think rice is most dangerous when it has been sitting around at room temperature for a while. See here http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/asksam/keepingfoodsafe/asksamcooking/ I am not an expert though so happy to be corrected!

I have frozen risotto but cool it very quickly - as soon as it is ready I divide into portions and put the extra into freezer container straight away, while still hot, and straight into freezer. Isn't great for the freezer though...
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Beginner June 2008
Hitched in Paris · 16 June, 2009 at 13:07
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Oh, thanks Merlini. I didn't know this. The rice sat around cooling with a lid on probably for an hour before going in the fridge but it's 35C here so we are doubly cautious about food prep and storage. I had intended eating this with the kids again but don't think I'll chance it. I'll chuck it out.
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Merlini · 16 June, 2009 at 13:15
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It will probably be fine but I do get a bit nervous about this stuff. Although if the temp there is 35C how cold will it have got?!

It is really rubbish to have to throw food out - sorry about that! I might be encouraging you to be over-cautious - maybe one of the sciencey Hitchers would know for sure?

My SIL (a vet, so don't know how she knows) told me a lot of food poisoning is caused by people reheating their takeaways the day after.
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Beginner June 2008
Hitched in Paris · 16 June, 2009 at 13:26
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Ah well, it's gone .... I know that the chances are it would be fine (and I never get food poisoning) but i don't want to take a chance with the kids (especially V as she is 9 months old). The FSA site is pretty factual. I know that with a hint of risk in my mind, it would have sat in the freezer for 6 months and then got chucked anyway.
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