How much fried fish can be stored in the refrigerator and how to reheat it correctly
Freshly prepared foods are perishable. Shelf life depends on storage conditions. Fish is a product of animal origin, which is why special requirements are imposed on it before eating it. We figure out how much you need to store fried fish in the fridge, how to keep the taste and avoid food poisoning.
Optimal storage conditions
Freshly cooked seafood in a pan contains a lot of nutrients and trace elements. In order to preserve the quality of food as much as possible, they respect the rules of their conservation. Violation of the conditions can lead to negative consequences: loss of taste of the product, food poisoning.
After cooking, uneaten food is cooled, wrapped and stored in a cool place. There are two storage options. In the refrigerator compartment. Refrigerate fried food on the shelf at a temperature of + 2 ... + 6. Compliance with the temperature regime is important, otherwise the heat-treated product will deteriorate.
Important! Some housewives fill the refrigerated shelves to the top, leaving no space for ventilation. This feature increases the temperature regime in the chamber by 2-3, therefore the storage conditions are violated.It is advisable to leave space for the free passage of air to the food.
Before putting a fried dish in the refrigerator, it is pre-cooled to room temperature. Freshly prepared foods should not be kept at this temperature for more than 12 hours. In the freezer. Heat-treated fish can be stored for up to 15 days, subject to the temperature regime -8 ... -24 Fried seafood is cooled to room temperature, before freezing, it is previously placed in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Such an event allows each part to freeze evenly, it is better to preserve the taste. In order to prevent the fish in the freezer from getting burned by frost, it is not left in an open storage chamber.
How much can be stored
Fried foods chilled on a refrigerator shelf at temperatures above zero are kept for no more than 2 days. If seafood was used as an ingredient in a main course, the cooked food has a shelf life of 24 hours. After this time, the product is discarded, as there is a high risk of contracting an intestinal infection. It is not recommended to leave fried fish in the pan, as the metal will cause the food to oxidize. In the freezer, a fish dish, pre-packaged in a container, can be stored for up to 15 days. For easy storage, it is placed in a separate container.
In an airtight container, seafood can be stored for up to 4 months. Be sure to tie the bag securely so the moisture doesn't evaporate quickly. Otherwise, after thawing, the heat-treated product will become tasteless. The fish is previously placed in a freezer in a single layer. After freezing, it is packaged in a denser container.
How to properly pack before storing
For proper storage of fried fish, it is important not only to meet the deadlines, but also to pack it properly. Packaging leaks lead to loss of taste and smell. The main component of seafood is protein. It is a breeding ground for many microorganisms. A tight container protects food from the appearance of a foreign smell, the development of pathogenic microbes.
Protein foods are stored in an airtight container or airtight bag. In this way, the product retains its own smell and taste. The sealed container helps retain moisture in the dish longer, protects against the ingress of foreign bodies. The best way to store fried fish is to use vacuum bags. In an airless bag, moisture loss and fat oxidation are slower.
Airtight containers are suitable for freezing seafood. Dishes are selected taking into account their ability to withstand sub-zero temperatures. Ordinary foil, plastic bags are suitable only for short-term storage of fried fish in the refrigerator.
How to reheat properly
The usual heating of fried fish in a pan with the addition of a small amount of sunflower oil will help to restore an appetizing appearance, get a fried crust. First, the dish is taken out of the freezer, placed on a shelf in the refrigerator for defrosting. Then the product is fried for a few minutes on each side. It is advisable to eat it immediately. Do not refreeze the fish, as it will almost completely lose its taste.
To make the process easier, many housewives use a microwave oven to heat food. But this method will only worsen the taste of the dish, make the fish flesh hard. It is possible to maintain the beneficial qualities of fried fish only if the storage rules and regulations are observed. Experienced housewives advise preparing seafood in such an amount that it can be eaten immediately, not leaving it for later.