8 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2015 The Scoop on Frozen Foods Freezing food for storage is an ideal way to stretch budgets and plan ahead for meals when time is of the essence. Storing foods in the freezer also saves money by reducing spoilage and the amount of food that ends up in the trash. Putting food on ice has been a popular storage method for centuries. Despite myths that abound about frozen foods, nutritional content in most food is not lost during the freezing process, and frozen produce is just as healthy as fresh items. Some other foods may not taste as good or retain their distinctive texture when frozen, but knowing how and when to freeze is the key. SEAFOOD Most of the seafood available at markets undergoes a process called “twice freezing,” an acceptable and cost-saving measure. Fish caught at sea is immediately frozen for shipping. It is then thawed, cleaned and processed, aft er which it is frozen again and sent to market locations. Once frozen fi sh has been thawed for use in meals, it is unadvisable to refreeze left overs. Th e same can be said for meat or poultry that has been previously frozen. Otherwise you may notice the taste and texture are quite diff erent from fresh foods. WATERY FOODS Fruits, soft cheeses and water-rich produce like celery or cucumbers should stay out of the freezer. While they may freeze well and fast, upon thawing you can be left with mushy, limp and watery results. Expires 6/30/15 1201 35th Street at Kingwood, Florence Highway 101 & 35 St. 541-997-4623 Hi, Welcome Restaurant to Mo’s Mo’s ® ~ FEATURED LOW-CARB SELECTIONS ~ Every Month Mo's Grilled, has brought "Motivation SALMON: Poached, in or special Blackened for Kids" tables which raise money for local charities CHICKEN BREAST: Boneless, Skinless Breast of Chicken that are devoted to helping the wellbeing of local SHRIMP SKEWERS: 2 Grilled Shrimp Skewers children. This month FLORENCE HEAD START All of the above are served with local charity being Green Beans is or the Mixed Steamed Veggies and honored. a Shrimp Dinner Salad NEW By sitting at these tables ITEMS you help a specific local RIBS: charity each BBQ PORK Baby Back and Pork Ribs with the every time. We James thank Gang you BBQ for Sauce that! BLACKENED SALMON CEASAR SALAD Mo’s Old Town, Florence • Daily 11 am - 8 pm ® Mo’s Town, Florence • Daily 11 am - 8 pm Serving Old Bowls of comfort for Over 50 Years Serving Bowls of comfort for Over 50 Years • 541-997-2185 DAIRY Milk will freeze and thaw well, but other dairy products may not hold up as well. Some dairy products may separate upon thawing and curdle. Cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise will lose their smooth consistency aft er being frozen. Stick to harder cheeses, such as cheddar, for freezing. And if you must freeze cheese, use it in foods that will be cooked, like casseroles or pasta dishes, instead of being served on its own. When freezing any foods, keep in mind that liquid will expand. Leave adequate room for expansion in the storage container. Unless the original container (such as a milk carton) has enough room, you may need to transfer foods to another container before freezing. It’s WEDNESDAY!!! at Sandpines DINNER SPECIAL Purchase 1st entrée receive 2nd 1/2 price Dinner FRI and SAT nights from 5-8pm FRIED FOODS Fried foods will not retain their crispiness aft er freezing and thawing if they are already cooked. If you must prepare fried foods in advance, coat the uncooked foods in a breading material and then freeze. When you’re ready to fry, remove the items from the freezer and cook. S urfside Restaurant The Grill & Lounge Lunch served Wed-Sun 11:30-5:00 HAPPY HOUR 2-5 Wed-Sun EGGS Do not freeze eggs in their shells. During the freezing process, the eggs will expand and the shells will crack. Th is can pose a food-storage issue. It is better to eat eggs fresh. WE NOW HAVE CRAFT BEER ON TAP FRIDAY Ribeye with horseradish cream sauce baked potato & sautéed asparagus. SATURDAY: Pan Seared Mahi Mahi topped with fresh cucumber salsa served with a vegetable rice & sautéed green beans Open for Lunch & Dinner • Lunch Specials Daily Reservations Suggested. 165 M APLE S T . • 541-997-9811• Hours Tues-Sat: 11:30am-9pm WWW . MAPLESTREETGRILLE . COM SPECIAL! Eggs Benedict $10.00 Hours: Breakfast: 7 a.m. 4 p.m. Lunch: 11 a.m 4 p.m. Dinner: 4 p.m- 9 p.m. Open until 10 p.m on Friday /Saturday CALL: 541-997-8263 Le Bouchon P ROVISIONS W INE B AR & S ALES - D ELICATESSEN Locally Baked Pastries – Breads – Muffins Sandwiches - Soup - Salads Our Organic Garden is supplying our Greens and Vegetables Willamette Valley Raw Milk Cheeses WEEKEND WINE TASTING Umpqua Valley • Brandborg Vineyards Benchlands Pinot Noir and Fleur De Lis – White Pinot Noir Open Daily 10 am - 5pm • Closed Mondays 1277 Bay Street- Old Town Florence - 5 41-902 -1391 Prime Rib Wednesday Includes yukon mashed potatoes and salad. Only $16 1285 Bay Street in Old Town Florence, OR 97439 (541) 902-8338 Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00am to Close Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 3:00pm to 5:00pm