[Can it be frozen? ] How to freeze milk, storage period, and 5 recipes!

Have you ever bought milk but couldn't use it all and had to throw it away? ``I'm going to be away from home for a few days on a trip, but I just can't use up all the milk!'' At times like this, you should definitely try freezing your milk.

Although it is not well known, milk is an ingredient that can be frozen. I will explain the specific freezing method later, but depending on the method, it can be ready in about a few tens of seconds.

This article introduces how to freeze milk, the proper way to thaw it, the approximate storage period, and popular recipes using frozen milk, so please take a look.

milk nutrition

Nutritional value and calories of milk

The calorie content of milk is 67kcal per 100g (regular milk).

As is commonly known, milk is rich in calcium. Also, since it was originally used to raise cow calves, it contains a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.

【mineral】
Sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, (iron), zinc, copper, (manganese), iodine, selenium, (chromium), molybdenum

【vitamin】
Vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, biotin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, (C)

*() indicates a trace amount.

Effects of milk

[Create a healthy body]

Milk is rich in protein. This protein is an essential nutrient for building a healthy body.

Specifically, it has the effect of building physical strength, increasing immunity, helping children's growth, and keeping their skin and hair beautiful.

The protein contained in milk is of high quality compared to proteins found in other foods. Therefore, it also has the characteristic of being efficiently digested and absorbed by our bodies.

[Constipation relief effect]

A component called lactose contained in milk is said to have the effect of relieving constipation.

Lactose serves as food for beneficial bacteria such as lactic acid bacteria in the human intestine. This activates good bacteria in the intestines and promotes excretion. Also, lactose has the property of collecting water in the intestines. This causes the stool to absorb water and become soft.

The action of lactose softens stool and promotes excretion, which helps relieve constipation.

As a side note, by resolving constipation, the intestinal environment will be improved, so you can also expect detox effects and skin beautification effects.

[Relaxing effect]

Milk contains a component called tryptophan (a type of amino acid), which stimulates the secretion of serotonin in our bodies.

Serotonin is also known as the ``happiness hormone,'' and is said to cause stress reduction and relaxation effects. The relaxing effect of milk is due to serotonin.

The reason why it is said that it is good to drink hot milk before going to bed is because it promotes sleep through the secretion of serotonin.

Advantages of freezing milk

Allows long-term storage

The first advantage is that it can be stored for a long time.

I think everyone has had the time of not being able to use up the milk they bought and having it left over. Freezing the leftover milk allows you to store it for a long time.

Not only unopened milk, but also milk that has been opened can be frozen as long as it is not too long ago.

Reduces cooking time

The second advantage is that cooking time can be shortened.

This is the advantage of making white sauce and freezing it. By making the white sauce in advance and freezing it, you can save time making the sauce next time.

If you keep a stock of white sauce in the freezer, you can use it in standard dishes such as gratin, lasagna, doria, and stew (the stew recipe is included at the end of the article).

You can also use it as a sauce for cream croquettes, corn cream pizza, croque madame, or sautéed white fish.

How to freeze milk

When freezing as is

1) If you are in a pack and are not using it yet, close the mouth with tape.

2) Place the whole pack in a freezer bag and freeze.

★The volume expands when frozen, so make sure the liquid is below the 7th to 8th minute of the pack.
★You can also transfer it to a freezer bag or Tupperware and freeze it. In that case, please adjust so that it is below the 7th to 8th minute of the container.

When making white sauce and freezing it

1) Make the white sauce (*).

2) Once the fever has subsided, put it in a freezer bag and freeze.

[How to make white sauce]
1) Melt the butter over low heat, add the flour, and warm while stirring with a wooden spoon to prevent it from burning.
2) When there are no lumps, add milk and heat over medium heat until it thickens.
(Ingredients: 30g butter, 30g flour, 300cc milk)

How to thaw milk and storage period

How to thaw milk

[If frozen as is]

​Defrost the pack or Tupperware in the refrigerator. Depending on the amount, it may take a whole day to thaw, so be careful with the time.

After thawing, water and other milk components may separate. It is best to mix (shake) it well before use.

[When frozen with white sauce]

You can use it as is for cooking. If it is difficult to remove from the freezer bag, you can easily remove it by cutting it with scissors.

If you're in a hurry, it's best to partially defrost it in the microwave. If you heat the food when it is half-melted, it may cause uneven thawing. Be sure to start thawing in the microwave immediately after taking it out of the freezer.

Milk storage period

[If frozen as is]

The approximate storage period is 2 to 3 weeks.

[When frozen with white sauce]

The approximate storage period is 3 to 4 weeks.

5 easy recipes using milk

Clam chowder

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/3640470

☑材料（3人分）
・あさり　150g
・ベーコン　100g
◆玉ねぎ　1/2個
◆人参　1/4本
◆じゃがいも　1/2個
・小麦粉　大さじ1
・水　200cc
●冷凍牛乳　300cc
●コンソメ　小さじ1
●粉チーズ　大さじ1
・バター　10g
・塩こしょう　適量

<How to make>
1) Thaw frozen milk. Cut the bacon and ingredients ◆ into 1cm cubes.
2) Melt the butter in a pan and fry the bacon, then stir-fry the ingredients ◆.
3) Once the onions are soft, add the flour.
4) Once the flour is mixed with the vegetables, add water and clams and simmer.
5) Once the potatoes are cooked, add the ingredients listed in ● and bring to a gentle simmer.
6) Finally, add salt and pepper to taste and it's done.

Pumpkin panna cotta style

Source: http://ahp-recipe.jp/sheet.php?recipe=164

☑材料（2人分）
◆冷凍牛乳　200cc
◆生クリーム　1/3カップ
◆砂糖　50g
◆卵　2個
●ゼラチン　10g
●水　1・3カップ
・かぼちゃ　1/8個

<How to make>
1) Thaw frozen milk.
2) Put the ingredients marked with ● into a heat-resistant container and leave for 10 to 15 minutes.
3) Wrap the pumpkin loosely in plastic wrap and heat in the microwave for about 3 minutes and 30 seconds (it's OK if a bamboo skewer goes through easily).
4) Remove the fruit with a spoon, and when you get about 100g, crush or strain it with the back of the spoon.
5) Mix the ◆ ingredients, add the pumpkin and mix further.
6) Heat the gelatin from (2) in the microwave for 30 seconds and mix together with (5).
7) Put it in a container, cover it with plastic wrap, and cool it in the refrigerator.

white peach sorbet

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/4004222

☑材料（2～3人分）
・冷凍牛乳　300cc
・もも　1個
・練乳　大さじ3

<How to make>
1) Thaw frozen milk.
2) Wash the thighs well and cut them into 2cm cubes with the skin on.
3) Put milk, condensed milk, and the thighs from (2) in a freezer bag, remove the air, and seal.
4) After chilling in the freezer for 4 to 5 hours, gently knead the bag and it's done.

Vanilla ice cream

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/1465429

☑材料（2～3人分）
●冷凍牛乳　400cc
●砂糖　80g
●卵　1個
・バニラエッセンス　少々

<How to make>
1) Place ● ingredients in a pot and warm slowly over low heat without letting it boil (beat the eggs).
2) Stir with a wooden spoon to prevent the bottom of the pan from burning, and when it thickens, add the vanilla essence and remove from the heat.
3) Pass it through a strainer and put it in a container and freeze it in the freezer.

★How to make this without using an ice cream maker.
★There is no need to take it out and mix it while it is frozen.

cream stew

Source: https://cookpad.com/recipe/705297

☑材料（4人分）
・冷凍ホワイトソース　300g
・鶏肉　200～300g（1枚）
・玉ねぎ　1個
・人参　1本
・ブロッコリー　1房
・じゃがいも　2個
・水　600cc
・顆粒コンソメ　大さじ2
・酒　大さじ1
・塩こしょう　適量

<How to make>
1) Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. After cutting the chicken, sprinkle salt, pepper, and sake on top, and parboil the broccoli and tear it into pieces of appropriate size.
2) Heat oil in a pan and fry onions and carrots. When the heat goes through, add the chicken and potatoes in that order and stir-fry some more.
3) Add water and consommé (and bay leaf if you have it) to the pot, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, removing the scum.
4) Add the frozen white sauce and once it has melted, simmer for about 10 minutes.
5) Adjust the taste with salt and pepper, and add the broccoli at the end.

★The recipe uses white sauce without thawing it, but if you find it difficult to remove it from the freezer bag, please thaw it briefly in the microwave.

Conclusion

How do you freeze milk?

1. How to freeze it as is
Storage period: 2-3 weeks
Thawing method: Thaw in the refrigerator (mix well after thawing)

2. How to freeze white sauce
Storage period: 3-4 weeks
Defrosting method: Cooking while frozen, defrosting in the microwave

We introduced two of them.

Milk can be used in a variety of dishes, from authentic side dishes to simple desserts. If you have leftover milk, try freezing it using this method.