How much jelly can be stored in the refrigerator and under optimal conditions
Aspic is a popular dish that is often served on a festive table. Every experienced housewife knows how to cook it. If you can't do it yourself, the finished product can be purchased from the store. In any case, you need to know how much jelly is stored in the refrigerator. This period is determined by many important factors.
What is the dish
Aspic or, as it is often called, jelly is meat that is cut into pieces and poured into a strong broth as a jelly. The liquid in which the meat is cooked solidifies without additives. To achieve the desired result, you need to cook the meat for a long time - for 8-12 hours. At the same time, it is recommended to add a certain amount of cartilage to the dish. These include tails, legs, pig ears.
For jellied meat, it is allowed to use different types of meat. It is allowed to use pork, beef and various types of poultry as the basis. A more interesting taste is obtained by using several types of meat. In order for the jelly to freeze faster, it must be removed in a cool place. If you pour the broth in the evening, you can get a frozen jelly in the morning.
When storing jelly in the refrigerator, one important rule must be taken into account: the further the product is from the freezer, the longer it hardens.
Optimal storage conditions
Aspic is considered a perishable product. According to GOST, it is allowed to store it for 36 hours at a temperature not higher than +6 degrees. After the specified time, the protein present in the meat breaks down. This renders the dish unusable. It is allowed to store the product under vacuum for up to 10 days. These rules apply to purchased products.
If you make jellied meat at home, it is allowed to store it for 5 days. In this case, it is important to respect a number of conditions. The product should be stored at a temperature not exceeding +8 degrees. It is allowed to do this in the refrigerator, on the balcony, in the cellar. It is desirable that the balcony is not glazed. Otherwise, it is worth opening the windows. At the same time, the optimum temperature outside is -5 degrees. Dishes with jellied meat should be placed away from the door.
The balcony and the basement are not very suitable for storage, as it is difficult to maintain the appropriate temperature there. The refrigerator is considered the best place. If too much food is cooked, put it in the freezer. Quick freezing is a good option. This makes it possible to obtain a uniform consistency and to avoid the appearance of ice crystals.
How long can you keep in the fridge
Storing food in the refrigerator has a number of features. First of all, it is worth considering the product from which it is prepared.
Meat
Jellied meat is most often prepared from pork legs and head.These components help to achieve the formation of the fat layer. Thanks to this, you cannot add gelatin to jellied meat. This layer should not be removed before eating. It is also allowed to cook beef or tongue jelly. Subject to these rules, the meat dish can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 week. However, it is better to eat the product a little earlier. The product should be consumed sous vide within the time specified by the manufacturer.
Fish
This dish is mainly prepared with frozen fish. It is considered the most difficult to prepare. However, he still manages to get a party dish. A particularly tasty product is obtained from pike perch. The shelf life of the fish dish is only one day. In addition, it must be kept at a temperature of 0 ... + 8 degrees. So don't overcook.
of a bird
The poultry product has a delicate taste and is considered a dietary meal. Cooking meat in chicken or turkey jelly is the fastest way. Its storage period coincides with the shelf life of meat dishes.
Alternative means
There are many alternatives to increase the shelf life of this product.
Frozen
In the freezer, the dish stays fresh for 3 months. An undoubted advantage is the presence of a shock freeze function. In this case, the meat will be able to solidify evenly and will not crystallize. This method keeps the product fresh for 5-6 months. However, experts still do not recommend delaying storage until the last days.
Canning
It's a great way to jellied meat ahead of time and not worry about its safety.Canned meat is allowed to be stored in a dark cool place for 1 year. However, it is best to eat them 6 months in advance.
To prepare jellied meat for future use, it is recommended to proceed as follows:
- Cook the dish according to your favorite recipe and roll it into sterilized jars. Pasteurize them for 2 hours over low heat.
- Fresh jars, put in a cool place. The temperature should be + 15-20 degrees.
- In the evening, put the jar in the refrigerator. In the morning, the dish will become elastic.
How to defrost correctly
Take the food out of the freezer first. It is recommended to thaw it at ambient conditions. Then the jellied meat should be boiled again, poured into containers, cooled and put in the refrigerator until it hardens completely. Also, this product is suitable as a base for soup. The shelf life in the refrigerator is 2 days.
Signs of product deterioration
At low temperature, the product can be kept for 5 to 7 days. The following signs indicate the deterioration of the dish:
- In the refrigerator, the dish began to release water, which does not set.
- The product has a crust or gray tint.
- The jelly took on a cloudy hue.
- In the conditions of the room, the dish began to smell badly of spoiled meat.
Subject to the rules of storage, such signs may appear on the 6-7th day. To remember how long the product is stored in the refrigerator, the package should be marked with the date of preparation. The use of the missing product is strictly prohibited. You have to throw it away. Jellied meat is a tasty and healthy dish that has a specific shelf life. In order for the product to stay fresh for a long time, it must be supplied under appropriate conditions.
