How much do you know about freezer cooking?

Remember those quizzes you took long ago to learn something crucial about yourself? Surprise! We have a pop quiz too. Hopefully this one’s more useful but still fun!

Before we help you kick-start your new lifestyle, let’s take note of where you currently are on the freezer cooking spectrum, shall we? Answer the questions below to find out how much you actually know about freezer cooking. – Rachel Tiemeyer & Polly Conner, creators of Thriving Home

1. Most frozen food can remain safely frozen for:
a. 3 months
b. 12 months
c. Like, forever!
d. Ladies, I have no clue.

2. Which of the following food items do not freeze safely? (Circle all that apply.)
a. Eggs in shell
b. Tomatoes
c. Canned food (still in cans)
d. Mayonnaise

3. According to food safety experts, what temperature should your freezer register at all times to keep food safe?
a. 32 degrees
b. 15 degrees
c. 0 degrees
d. Any of the above will freeze food safely.

4. The coldest spot in the freezer is:
a. Right next to the vent where the cold air comes out. Duh.
b. Since cold air sinks, it’s the bottom shelf of any freezer. Duh.
c. The ice box. It’s filled with ice. Duh.
d. The rear center. It’s the most insulated point. Duh.

5. Which of these is an advantage of hosting a freezer cooking party or being in a freezer club?
a. You’ll save money. Woo-hoo!
b. You get to hang out with friends while accomplishing a task. Cheers!
c. You cut down on time in the kitchen. So grab a glass of wine and put your feet up!
d. You’ll have a stocked freezer full of healthy meals. It’s like Christmas!
e. I’m no dummy. All of these are advantages.

6. What is the ideal number of participants at a freezer cooking party or in a freezer club?
a. 12-plus (“the more the merrier!”)
b. 8
c. 6
d. 2 (“I’m an introvert. Please let this be the right answer!”)

Quiz answers

1. c. Like, forever! The USDA guidelines state, “Food stored constantly at 0°F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.” Pretty great, right?

2. a. and c. You can freeze almost any food safely with the exception of these two. While mayonnaise does not freeze and thaw well (the texture gets funky), it is safe to freeze it. Tomatoes do fine in the freezer either raw or blanched first, but they;re best used in soups, stews, or a sauce later.

3. c. 0 degrees. Many freezers are mistakenly kept too warm. Track the temperature in your freezer with an inexpensive refrigerator/freezer thermometer.

4. d. The rear center. Duh.

5. e. All of the above. Told you, I’m no dummy.

6. c. We’ve found that if you have more than six participants, it’s “too many cooks in the kitchen.” Fewer than six, and you’ll have a hard time stocking your freezer.

What your score tells you:
Now, here’s the fun part of any quiz. What does your score say about you as a Freezer Cooker (yes, we just made up that term)?

0 To 1 correct answers: Newbie Freezer Cooker. Hey, we’ve been in your shoes. Once upon a time we both thawed meals on the counter (a big no-no!) and let so much food go to waste not knowing it could be frozen. Don’t sweat it. We’ve got your back!

2 To 3 correct answers: Up-and-Coming Freezer Cooker. You have some base knowledge to work from but room to grow. That’s a great place to be in. Maybe you’ve tried freezer cooking by yourself, but we’ll show you how to take it to a whole new level by sharing the load with friends.

4 To 5 correct answers: Experienced Freezer Cooker. Pat yourself on the back. This is a solid score! (Are you sure you didn’t cheat, just a little?) Onward to freezer cooking and filling that freezer to the brim, oh experienced one!

6 correct answers: O.A.F.C. (Overachiever Freezer Cooker). “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” Seriously, you should have written this book. Henceforth, you shall be
known as O.A.F.C.

Editor’s Note: Quiz adapted from FROM FREEZER TO TABLE: 75+ Simple, Whole Foods Recipes for Gathering, Cooking, and Sharing Copyright © 2017 by Polly Conner and Rachel Tiemeyer. Published by Rodale Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

Read more about Rachel Tiemeyer and Polly Conner, creators of Thriving Home.

Learn how to make Thriving Home’s Chicken Parmesan Sliders.