example, coffee, flour, pasta, sugar, etc.) can benefit
from vacuum packing. If these products are to remain
unused for several days, such as when you go away on
holiday, it is advisable to protect all foods by vacuum
packing. They will keep better and moisture, mould and
insects will not attack and ruin them.
Defrosting MAGIC VAC
®
bags
To defrost vacuum packed food such as meat, fish,
fruit, vegetables or other delicate foodstuffs, place it
on the lowest shelf in the fridge to defrost slowly; bread
and focaccia should be left at room temperature, while
soups or other liquid foods should be immersed in hot
water still in the vacuum bags until they reach the right
temperature. When you leave food at room tempera-
ture or heat it in a bain-marie, make sure you cut one
corner of the bag to let the steam escape. When the
food has been defrosted, it must be consumed immedi-
ately. Do not re-freeze it
Repackaging pre-packed food
Many foodstuffs, like cheese and meat, are sold pre-
packed in factory-prepared vacuum bags. To retain the
flavour and freshness of these foods, repackage them
in MAGIC VAC
®
bags after the factory package has
been opened.
Pre-packed foods must always be consumed by the
use-by date shown on the original package. They must
also be handled with the greatest care and hygiene
when repackaging.
Useful tips…
- For food with tapered ends or sharp edges, like
bones and spaghetti, pad the edges with paper tow-
els to prevent perforating the bag.
- Fragile and delicate foodstuffs like strawberries,
crackers or biscuits should be preserved in MAGIC
VAC
®
containers.
- There are many non-food products which can be
vacuum packed, such as camping equipment includ-
ing matches, first aid kits and clean, dry clothes. You
can even preserve the emergency triangle in the car.
Silverware and collections can also be vacuum
packed to protect the items against oxidation, etc.
HOW TO PRESERVE FOOD IN MAGIC VAC
®
CONTAINERS
Warning: Do not use plastic or glass containers that
are not suitable since they could implode under the
vacuum pressure of MAGIC VAC
®
and cause injury.
Freezing in containers
To freeze food in plastic containers use only MAGIC
VAC
®
containers or, in the case of glass receptacles,
used tempered glass suitable for freezer tempera-
tures.
Vacuum packing food in containers
Vacuum packing in containers is ideal for products that
you use frequently. Dried foodstuffs like pasta, rice,
flour, sugar, crisps, savouries or biscuits, and pet food,
will maintain all their shape and freshness.
Salad foods and vegetables can be cleaned for the
whole week and kept in a MAGIC VAC
®
container. They
will remain firm and fresh. To absorb excess moisture,
fold a paper towel and place it on the bottom of the
container.
Warning: Liquids must be cooled before vacuum pack-
ing. Hot liquids will expand and leak from the con-
tainer during depressurising.
Food in powder or granule form can be covered with a
paper towel before vacuum packing. This will prevent
the powder or granules from getting into the vacuum
paths or being deposited in the Vacuum Cap seal.
Oil used once for frying can be filtered, cooled, vacuum
sealed in a MAGIC VAC
®
container and kept in the
fridge. This will enable you to use the oil again at least
once, since it has been preserved in an airless and
cold environment, thereby retaining its characteristics.
Larder items like flour, rice and cake mixes stay fresh
for longer if they are vacuum packed. Nuts and condi-
ments retain their flavour and will not become rancid.
Marinating
To marinate meat, poultry or fish, use the square “quick
marinating” Executive container (ACO1073) and follow
the instructions regarding how to use the container
itself. The food will be marinated in 20 minutes as if it
had been marinated all night!
Tips for preserving food in jars
To preserve food in jars, use lids which have been
checked and are free from defects. To create and
maintain a good vacuum, the seals of the lids must be
in perfect condition. To keep the lids in good condition,
immerse them in boiling water for three minutes and
then rub the dry seal with a drop of oil. This will restore
the necessary elasticity to the seals of the lids.
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Maxima Ing. new 4-03-2011 11:59 Pagina 10
