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Before Freezing:
1. Freeze meats, poultry and fish in packages with only 1 or 2 layers of food.
Place wax paper between layers.
2. Package in heavy-duty plastic wraps, bags (labeled "For Freezer") or freezer paper.
3. Remove as much air as possible, i.e. create a vacuum.
4. Seal securely, date and label.
To Defrost:
1. Remove wrapper. This helps moisture to evaporate.
Juices from food can get hot and cook the food.
2. Set food on microwave safe roasting rack in an appropriately sized dish.
3. Place roasts fat-side down. Place whole poultry breast-side down.
4. Drain liquids during defrosting.
5. Turn over (invert) items during defrosting.
6. Shield edges and ends if needed. (See Cooking Techniques).
7. Select power and minimum time so that items will be under-defrosted.
After Defrosting:
1. Large items may be icy in the center. Defrosting will complete during STANDING TIME.
2. Let stand, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for time shown in the chart below.
3. See chart below for standing time and rinsing directions.
4. Items which have been layered should be rinsed separately or have a longer stand time.
FOOD
DEFROST TIME
(min. per pound)
(P3)
DURING DEFROSTING
AFTER DEFROSTING
Stand Time
Rinse
(cold water)
Fish and Seafood
[up to 3 lbs. (1.4 kg)]
5 min.
YES
Crabmeat
6
Break apart/Rearrange
Fish Steaks
4 to 6
Turn over
Fish Fillets
4 to 6
Turn over/Rearrange/Shield ends
Sea Scallops
4 to 6
Break apart/Remove defrosted pieces
Whole fish
4 to 6
Turn over
Meat
Ground Meat
4 to 5
Turn over/Remove defrosted porlion/Shield edges
10 min.
NO
Roasts
[27*-4 lbs. (1.1-1.8 kg)]
4 to 8
Turn over/Shield ends and defrosted surface
30 min. in refrig
Chops/Steak
6 to 8
Turn over/Rearrange/Shield ends and defrosted surface
5 min.
Ribs/T-bone
6 to 8
Turn over/Rearrange/Shield ends and defrosted surface
Stew Meat
4 to 8
Break apart/Rearrange/Remove defrosted pieces
Liver (thin sliced)
4 to 6
Drain liquid/Turn over/Separate pieces
Bacon (sliced)
4
Turn over
—
Poultry
Chicken, Whole
[up to 3 lbs. (1.4 kg)]
4 to 6
Turn over/Shield
20 min. in refrig.
5 min.
YES
Cutlets
4 to 6
Break apart/Turn over/Remove defrosted pieces
Pieces
4 to 6
Break apart/T urn over/Shield
10 min.
20 min. in refrig
Cornish Hens
6 to 8
Turn over/Shield
Turkey Breast
(5-6 lbs. (2.3-2.7 kg)l
6
Turn over/Shield
-
12
-