I know there are a lot of you out there that would think this is such a ridiculous idea. Why on earth would anyone freeze wine? You are supposed to drink it for goodness sakes. But what if you've had a few parties and there are multiple bottles of wine that just have a glass or 2 left in them and just thinking about drinking them makes you a little ill? I really hate to waste anything, especially food and wondered if you can freeze it.
Well guess what? You can. You can freeze it for cooking or just drinking. Don't take my word for it, even this dude says you can. So go ahead and put the leftovers in a plastic bottle or ice cube tray, leaving a little room for expansion and freeze it. Next time you are making risotto, soup or a veggie stew you can use it up. Don't know why I've never thought of this before.
Have an undramatic weekend.
Wow that is a great tip!
ReplyDeleteI like the ice cube tray idea because we added some wine to our pasta sauce last night straight out of the bottle. Mind you we were all enjoying a glass at the same time but there were four of us so there was not a drop left.
yeah, it only works if the wine is in danger of going bad. next time maybe?
DeleteGreat idea. And now I see one could have a whole bunch of ice cubes for cooking, some for adobo sauce, or roasted red peppers, or what have you!
ReplyDeleteexactly! white wine for a mushroom risotto. reds for stews. or even a wine ice cube dropped into a glass of sparkling water?
DeleteWell, I never! I love this idea to save for cooking. Fantastic, so glad you shared Janet!
ReplyDeletethanks em!
DeleteHave heard this before but never remember to do it. Doh!
ReplyDeletehaha, maybe too much wine? just kidding. :)
DeleteI've never thought to do this but......I do have a half bottle of that exact wine in my fridge right now! I'm going to try it today. :)
ReplyDeletewhat did you think of the wine? everyone was raving about it in the store and i thought it was ok but not That fantastic.
DeleteHa! Well it makes sense doesn't it - think how good ice wine is!!!!
ReplyDeleteyum
DeleteThat's good information; I have just put a barely opened 1.5L bottle of merlot into the icebox as I'm gonna lay off the sauce for a few days.
ReplyDeleteme too. i so need a break!
DeleteLeft over wine doesn't tend to be a problem around here.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteGreat Idea! And I love the undramatic weekend wish!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteCan you make wine popsicles???
ReplyDeletebrilliant idea!
DeleteNow that really is a brilliant idea. Way to go Japolina!!
DeleteOh man do I love the creative minds on this blog! Yum!
DeleteHa! Come to my house everyone. It's nice and warm here in Miami and we can all sit outside and eat wine popsicles!
DeleteI would do this for cooking purposes but not to drink...I just don't think I could do it! I guess I am a wine snob. I think it comes with living in Sonoma Valley for so long. Plus, I work at a winery part-time. Even putting an ice cube in a glass of wine on a hot day will get eyes rolling.
ReplyDeleteI guess I should do a blind tasting and see if I could tell the difference between a fresh bottle, a refrigerated bottle and a previously frozen bottle. Could be an interesting - and fun - experiment!
adrienne you should so do that. it would be really interesting esp coming from someone that knows a lot about wine!
DeleteThat's a great tip, but I'm pretty sure I'd just drink the wine if it was white. Now red on the other hand, it would be perfect for. There is always a little red left and I never know what to do with it. Now I do. Thanks!! Have a great weekend
ReplyDeletereverse over here jennifer. red always disappears but white...now i know what to do with it!
DeleteYou have stirred my imagination. Imagine G and T icy poles. Think they would catch on?
ReplyDeletethat does sound good but i know gin will not freeze. my father in law used to be a gin man and always kept his gin in the freezer. but frozen tonic would be good!
DeleteLeftover wine? What is that? No comprende... :/
ReplyDeleteHa!!
DeleteI remember seeing Nigella do this--but with guests' unfinished glasses!!! But I'm with Lor--leftover wine? No idea.
ReplyDeleteYuck. Seems germy. Guess high heat of making stew would take care of that with a leftover-wine cube. Of course, if you love your guests, no matter!
Deletedannie, you lor and betty are all on the same page. :)
DeleteI never think of things like this and I do waste food, which really bothers me. I'm going to try harder not to do that in 2014. The dogs come in handy for table scraps, but you've got to watch that, too, or it's either too rich for them or makes them gain weight. I've often wished I had a turtle or some kind of creature who could eat outer leaves I might peel off of veggies when I wash them; of course they don't need any pesticides either although I try to buy organic. I know, I know; I should have a compost pile. Anyway, good idea. A little wine here and there in a soup or a side dish can't be but a good thing. Great tip!
ReplyDeletei kinda thought you like this. :)
DeleteI save my leftover red wine for poaching pears. Just throw in some spices (like cinammon sticks, cloves, etc), brown sugar or agave, and poach for an hour or so. And if I'm short on enough wine I add cranberry or pomegranate juice. It's a good recipe for using what you have, and makes such an elegant and healthy dessert. Happy New Year! Allegra
ReplyDeleteDelicious! Another wonderful tip. Janet and her readers...love all the good ideas!
Deletethis sounds really good. i love poached pears!
DeleteI love this. It would be terrific to drop in sauces and stews.
ReplyDeleteyes exactly!
DeleteSo good to know!
ReplyDeletethanks nita.
Deletenew to reading here and so far loving what I read! this is an excellent tip, I like to make risottos and often have to open a whole bottle of wine, now I know that I can freeze some if any is leftover! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletei know, me too.
DeleteLeftover wine? That's just crazy talk....
ReplyDeletebetty:)
DeleteIt's a well known tip that Martha Stewart suggested ages ago. And you went to cooking school?
ReplyDeleteI don't get Anon's comment.
Deleteanon i did go to culinary school but while there we never studied martha stewart tips.:)
Deletei had never heard this tip before and thought i'd share it.
These days we can't manage more than a glass each, so yes, leftover wine… White wine ice cubes can also be dropped in mineral (soda) water in summer for a cool elegant drink! Red wine is more for sauces, I guess, as it shouldn't be consumed so cold.
ReplyDeleteit all sounds yummy!
DeleteDoes it freeze solid? I had a friend that used to freeze champagne after adding a little rose water but it just turned to slush--you had to stir it around occasionally--and then the slush went atop a fruit salad for brunch.
ReplyDeleteyeah steve it froze solid. i like the idea for champagne - sounds good on top of fruit.
DeleteI just read a Q& A in the current MARTHA STEWART LIVING magazine about what to do with leftover champagne. She says you can sub an equal amount of "flat bubbly" for white wine in most recipes that call for it. You can also use champagne for poaching, deglazing a pan or cooking risotto. A 'dry' variety of champagne is best for savory dishes. Keep the extra champagne stored airtight (with plastic wrap) in frig until you need it, for up to a month after the bottle has been opened.
DeleteSuch a great tip! But what I really want to know is where did you find that adorable cake platter? Love the shape!
ReplyDeletewhere else? a garage sale for $2. :)
DeleteI am so envious Janet. We never find anything that good at sales here in Oklahoma.
Deletei have to admit it was a good and lucky find.
DeleteLove this idea! There are rarely wine leftovers in my house. :)
ReplyDeleteclever. I freeze herbs too and love having them on hand for soups.....and stews. now I shall add wine to my freezer,
ReplyDeletethanks,
pve