Review
Posted in: Kitchen > Kitchen Appliances
14 / 04 / 2008
Vacuum packaging systems or cryovac as they are commonly known have been widely used in commercial kitchens for the last decade or so. In restaurants and foodservice operations they primarily allow the operator to minimise their food costs by preventing food spoilage. Apart from that, vacuum packaging systems are a great way to marinate foods as well as cooking in the bag which is known as sous vide.
Recently Sunbeam released the FoodSaver range of home vacuum packaging systems which are best described as semi professional. They seal food (of any description) in a plastic package and remove all of the air which keeps the food five times fresher than storing it naturally. The Food Saver is ideal for storing leftovers and allowing you to bulk buy, portion then vacuum pack and freeze for future use.
One of the greatest advantages of having a FoodSaver vacuum packaging system is the ability to prepare meals well in advance, then vacuum pack them. All you then need to do is either steam, poach or microwave your meal in the bag. Cooking in this method ensures you preserve all the vitamins and minerals.
After going to the Sydney Fish Markets and buying a whole Tasmanian salmon, I filleted and cutup the salmon into 180g portions. A good sized salmon will give you at least 12 portions. I then seasoned the salmon fillet with a little wildfire spice and placed in one of the FoodSaver bags. I added some sliced zucchini and roasted peppers, a teaspoon of butter, a dash of white wine and fish stock. I then placed the bag in the Food Saver, pushed the button which vacuums the air out and then seals the bag and I then stored in freezer. To cook the salmon, I remove it in the morning and place in the fridge so when I get home it’s already thawed. I then placed two of the salmon packages into my steamer for dinner which takes between 12 - 15 minutes to cook depending on the size.
The first time I used the FoodSaver it took awhile for it to seal the bag completely air tight. I also found that sealing things which have juice can be tricky as some of the liquid gets pulled out and goes into a tray which is not removable and thus tricky to clean. After I mastered the technique of using the FoodSaver I was rather impressed and have already gone through a roll of bags.
Learn more at www.sunbeam.com.au