Many recipes; little time
Lil' Smokies are mostly preservatives anyway . . .
. . . & I bought them for a party (they're not exactly in the regular rotation), & just found them in the extra fridge. Use-by date is 12/25.Yes, I'm aware that was 6 1/2 weeks ago.
Should I trash, or could I freeze, since they're so preservative-loaded in the first place? Thanks.
If you're afraid of butter, use cream. ~~ Julia Child
As you cook, you enjoy omniscience about food that no amount of label reading can match. Having retaken control of the meal from the food scientists, you know exactly what is in it. (Unless you start w/cream of mushroom soup, in which case all bets are off.) To reclaim control over one's food, to take it back from industry & science, is no small thing; indeed, in our time, cooking from scratch qualifies as subversive. ~~ Michael Pollan
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If it were me...I'd freeze 'em and use them as I agree regarding the preservatives...that said, I would give them the "sniff test" prior to using them! TO me they are like cream cheese or yogurt....good way beyond the date listed :-). I am sure there are some who would disagree and the bottom line is ya' gotta do what is comfortable for you!
Sheila
Verified User
If you aren't going to use them right away, freeze away. Otherwise, just go ahead and use them.
Lil Smokies, huh?
Many recipes; little time
Just stop right there, Mike.Originally Posted by Hammster
Lil Smokies, huh?I'm sure you have a nitrite or two in your home right this very minute.
The Lil' Smokies are now in the freezer, right next to the organic spelt flour. Maybe they'll cancel each other out.
If you're afraid of butter, use cream. ~~ Julia Child
As you cook, you enjoy omniscience about food that no amount of label reading can match. Having retaken control of the meal from the food scientists, you know exactly what is in it. (Unless you start w/cream of mushroom soup, in which case all bets are off.) To reclaim control over one's food, to take it back from industry & science, is no small thing; indeed, in our time, cooking from scratch qualifies as subversive. ~~ Michael Pollan
Verified User
I agree that there's an excellent chance they are fine and a 'sniff' test would be sufficient. Freezing doesn't make them safer or less safe, but......if it were me, I wouldn't freeze since I would likely forget that these might be less than 100% great. I wouldn't want to pull them out on the day of a party and have them fail the 'sniff' test. Just a thought..
Resident Curmudgeon
Nah. The preservatives will win. OTOH, your spelt flour will then have an indefinite freezer life.The Lil' Smokies are now in the freezer, right next to the organic spelt flour. Maybe they'll cancel each other out.
Bob
Verified User
I'd trash them because the few bucks that are saved by keeping them aren't worth the risk that they are safe. The smell test is not a guarantee.
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Li'l smokies are right up there with Velveeta around here...only making an appearance for New Year's Day and Superbowl Sunday. I do feel a bit better now that I make the dough for the pigs in a blanket though!
Well-behaved women seldom make history!
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I think the 'smokie' in Lil Smokies might hide any off smells. I'd trash them. If it was 2 weeks past, maybe not.
Nerts
Those little things really are loaded with preservatives, aren't they? One of my favorite quotes: "I stay away from natural foods. At my age I need all the preservatives I can get." - George Burns
I used to love eating Lil' Smokies when I was a kid visiting my grandparents. They would have them with breakfast, and boy were they good.
Back to the question...since they are basically meat, despite the preservatives, I'd ditch them since they are so far past the expiration date.
"If you aren't living on the edge, you're taking up too much space."
Verified User
LMAO, of course there is a nitrite or 2 around. But.....Lil Smokies??!!?? Are they even real meat?Just stop right there, Mike.
Many recipes; little time
Well, if they're NOT real meat, then the expiration dates really don't matter at all, do they?LMAO, of course there is a nitrite or 2 around. But.....Lil Smokies??!!?? Are they even real meat?
Wrap those babies in crescent rolls for some teen-pleasing appetizers, why dontcha? Addictive little buggers, esp. with BBQ sauce. (From the Tonya Harding White-Trash Cookbook, no doubt, but them thangs sure are tasty when you've got a crowd of youngun's comin' over.
If you're afraid of butter, use cream. ~~ Julia Child
As you cook, you enjoy omniscience about food that no amount of label reading can match. Having retaken control of the meal from the food scientists, you know exactly what is in it. (Unless you start w/cream of mushroom soup, in which case all bets are off.) To reclaim control over one's food, to take it back from industry & science, is no small thing; indeed, in our time, cooking from scratch qualifies as subversive. ~~ Michael Pollan
Verified User
Good point. The "use by" date is really just to get the most benefit of the preservatives. After that, they aren't nearly as potent. LOL.Well, if they're NOT real meat, then the expiration dates really don't matter at all, do they?
Wrap those babies in crescent rolls for some teen-pleasing appetizers, why dontcha? Addictive little buggers, esp. with BBQ sauce. (From the Tonya Harding White-Trash Cookbook, no doubt, but them thangs sure are tasty when you've got a crowd of youngun's comin' over.
Well, no teens to please at our house anymore. I wonder if they would have eaten them when they were teens? Those guys have pretty amazing (ok, snooty) palates. LOL.
Many recipes; little time
And whose fault is that??
If you're afraid of butter, use cream. ~~ Julia Child
As you cook, you enjoy omniscience about food that no amount of label reading can match. Having retaken control of the meal from the food scientists, you know exactly what is in it. (Unless you start w/cream of mushroom soup, in which case all bets are off.) To reclaim control over one's food, to take it back from industry & science, is no small thing; indeed, in our time, cooking from scratch qualifies as subversive. ~~ Michael Pollan
Verified User
LOL.And whose fault is that??
Seriously, though, not mine. I'll eat anything. At least once.
However, I'll take the credit. LOL.
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