Chop - isn't it gross & limp after defrosting?

[MomtoPercy]

I struggle to stay ahead with Percy's fresh food prep every morning and evening and since my vacation is almost over, I'm looking for an easier/better way - not only in terms of prep time but also, the shopping. Too often I get to the green grocer and they're out of snap peas - Percy's fave! Perhaps if I can buy in bulk I can avoid this problem?

So, I'm considering this Chop I've read so much about. My concerns are -

* Percy loves big chunks of veg and when I chop it too fine he just nibbles at it. Will this be a problem?
* Secondly (and this is the main reason I've not tried it before) - I imagine the chopped up, frozen and then thawed mixture to be limp and frankly, icky :31:. Is it? Surely there's no 'crunch' left? Perhaps I'm just imagining that this 'crunch' is important to Percy?

Please share your tips, insight and experiences if you don't mind?:51:

 

[Freespin]

It certainly looks less appetizing once thawed to me but my boys both gulp it down just fine! Maybe give it a go with a small batch first so it's not a huge waste if he doesn't go for it but a lot of people do it and it certainly makes life easier!

 

[getwozzy]

When you make chop mix you can do bigger chunks if you like- It's really up to your bird's preference. But the key is to make sure everything drains excess water and juice before you package it up and freeze it. That helps it not be so icky and prevents freezer burn.

With Chili's fresh bird salads I get produce once a week, and then make daily portions and store them in little tupperwares- they seem to keep just fine over a week in the fridge.

 

[Terry57]

But the key is to make sure everything drains excess water and juice before you package it up and freeze it. That helps it not be so icky and prevents freezer burn.

To do that, do you just drain well on paper towels?

 

[getwozzy]

I have metal strainers with fine holes and just let the ingredients sit in the sink for an hour or so before mixing everything together...sometimes I squish down with my hands to sort of squeeze excess liquid out.

 

[SpotsandSally]

But the key is to make sure everything drains excess water and juice before you package it up and freeze it. That helps it not be so icky and prevents freezer burn.

To do that, do you just drain well on paper towels?

If you have a pasta strainer with small holes / big chunks of food, then that works, or you can tip it over the side, or you can just fling the water off of everything before adding it.

I used to just tip the excess water out, but my dad got my mom a new set of pots & pans,and the new pasta strainer has a fine mesh to drain stuff, so I can drain it that way

 

[Terry57]

I definitely need to get smaller strainers. I am making my first chop this weekend so am very thankful for the info!
Thanks for the topic, Michelle

 

[Freespin]

It certainly looks less appetizing once thawed to me but my boys both gulp it down just fine! Maybe give it a go with a small batch first so it's not a huge waste if he doesn't go for it but a lot of people do it and it certainly makes life easier!

 

[MomtoPercy]

Thanks for the info, Getwozzy!! That really helps.

Is there anything you wouldn't put in a chop mix?

 

[getwozzy]

Thanks for the info, Getwozzy!! That really helps.

Is there anything you wouldn't put in a chop mix?

You're welcome!

Well- you can pretty much use anything as long as it's bird-safe, but for chili because of her species I leave out things like rice, barley, and not too much pasta.

 

[getwozzy]

http://www.parrotforums.com/showthread.php?t=24213

This might be helpful for you....

 

[Bundiibird]

I too think that Bundii would not like the frozen chop cause it would be all soggy.

I instead do my weekly grocery shop and then I prepared it all ready eat so that all I have to do is grab it. I wash everything, chop everything, and place into the fridge in individual containers. I don't work on Sundays so this works for us.

Also helps if I need hubby to get Bundii's vegs cause he does not think to wash things.

Sounds very much like what Getwozzy does.

It also helps if I need to cook things like carrot, it is already chopped ready to go so I just have to chuck it in a bowl with water and place in the microwave.

 

[strudel]

I haven't really bothered to examine it. Seems fine to me.... If there's nothing with a high water content in there, it doesn't go squishy after freezing. I have to get some more out, I'll have a taste after it defrosts.....

You could always supplement defrosted chop with carrot sticks and hunks of other veggies.

 

[MomtoPercy]

Thanks all. I think I will try both ways - the frozen chop supplemented with some fresh goodies before serving and the weekly prep to just keep in the fridge

 

[Freespin]

Sorry about my double post earlier! My phone was playing up this morning. Anyhow i completely forgot to buy soup mix at the supermarket today! Gutted. But i brought some other birdy goodies so they will be happy enough.

 

[strudel]

I think I will try both ways - the frozen chop supplemented with some fresh goodies before serving and the weekly prep to just keep in the fridge

That's what I do, make a big batch, serve some from fresh for a few days and after that, frozen, and she gets hunks and leaves and things in her treat thingy, and her pellets. She gets all sorts.

 

[BoomBoom]

I thought it would turn mushy too but it's not too bad. The trick is to control the moisture and to add texture. Balance the 'too wet' ingredients with dry ingredients. I add crushed red peppers, chopped dried red peppers, crushed almonds, a few uncooked white rice, corn kernels, etc (you get the idea). I also add boiled white rice and pasta to soak up some moisture. Some of these are not the healthiest addition, so I don't add too much of it. Just enough to make the mix drier and interesting against the fresh veggies and fruits.

Also do not mush all the wet ingredients too much. Add them in varying textures and sizes. Some fine, some medium, some in bigger chunks. You'd be surprised but broccoli and cauliflower run through a food processer is less wet and more dry in texture. It acts as a binder that holds the mix together. It holds very well in the freezer! I ration enough that each ziplock bag will last 2 days in the refrigerator for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I thaw the next bag when the first bag gets low enough. I make enough bags to last Boomer, my sun conure, at least 2 months. I still give him fresh chopped fruits and veggies daily, served along with the chop mix. The chop mix is there to make sure he has something in the event I run out of produce, but most especially because he won't eat his broccoli and carrots (and other healthy stuff) unless its in a mix.

My blog has a bit of a guide on how I make Boomer's chop mix. Good luck, have fun and enjoy the clean up of your kitchen after haha!

 

[strudel]

I've discovered kale. It doesn't have a high water content. The mix seems quite "dry". Also, if you pop it into the freezer straight away, it doesn't have a chance to start "oozing".

 

[MomtoPercy]

Thanks BoomBoom! That was very helpful !

Strudel - we can't get kale in my country I have no idea why.

 

[strudel]

What a shame. It's good stuff, especially in the chop. Mind you, I've only recently ever seen it/heard of it/eaten it, so it's not something I'm vastly familiar with.