This post and giveaway is sponsored by Hamilton Beach, however all opinions, editorial content and enthusiasm remain my own.
Creating fast, fresh, fit and filling meals for my family, which includes my hubby along with two growing teenage boys and one hungry young adult man, is my daily goal. And, one of my huge take-aways from years of being a competitive athlete is that you need a realistic, actionable plan and the right tools and gear to achieve any goal – because there will be a lot of obstacles trying to keep you from the finish line (or in this case, dinner table).
That’s where my Vacuvita® comes in. It’s an amazing, multi-function countertop kitchen appliance that makes being the house “kitchen manager” of my so much easier. Vacuvita works on the simple fact that when oxygen is removed from food, it can stay fresh up to five times longer! Read on to learn all the cool things Vacuvita does, get my recipe for Freezer-Friendly Lemon Ginger Salmon, and enter to win your own Vacuvita Home Base Set ($299 ARV)
Thanks to the Vacuvita® , I can now just laugh at those obstacles that once stressed me out in the kitchen. Some of the biggest issues I used to encounter were overbuying fresh food and having it go bad or stale because no one showed up to eat it (if you have older teenagers, you know what I mean). Or, on the flip side, thinking I was just cooking for two and having the boys call at the LAST MINUTE and say they would all be home for dinner and were bringing friends!
Sure, I could stock my freezer with frozen pizzas and pantry with processed, boxed meal kits to prepare for the uncertainty – but, gross, we love and crave fresh, seasonal food. By using the Vacuvita® , I can keep most fruits and baked goods fresher longer in the “home base” and also meal-prep entire dinners, breakfasts or smoothie kits in the special BPA/BPS-free vacuum-sealed bags (and pull out what I need, when I need it from the freezer).
Also, any meal leftovers stay better longer in the vacuum-sealed smaller containers. Another thing I’ve found the containers useful for is marinating – because the oxygen is removed, marinade gets absorbed more quickly into the pores of the meat, poultry or fish (20 minutes will do it)!
I want to share with you a great freezer meal prep I’ve done using the BPA/BPS-free vacuum bags — Freezer-Friendly Lemon Ginger Salmon. Not only does Freezer-Friendly Lemon Ginger Salmon taste crazy good, it’s a super healthy meal that’s ready and waiting in the freezer to keep you on the clean-eating wagon. There is also much efficiency going on with this recipe including saving time making several meals at once and saving money by buying in bulk and basically eliminating food spoilage and waste.
To take advantage of the benefits of vacuum-sealing with the Vacuvita® , I’ve added the marinade/sauce to the bag with the salmon before freezing. A slice of lemon makes a beautiful touch and also adds more flavor while cooking. It’s your choice on how many salmon filets to add to each bag before vacuum sealing and freezing. Single folks may like to package up individually while big families may vacuum seals as much fish that will fit in! Because the bags have a zip-top, you can also just take out what you need.
I’ve included the 20-minute sheet pan instructions, which is typically how I prepare my from-the-freezer salmon. However, if you are feeling fancy and have a bit of extra time, you can cook the salmon right in the Vacuvita bags with the sous vide method. I’ve included those instructions, too.
And, don’t fret if you cooked a bit too much. As I mentioned any leftovers store beautifully in the smaller, vacuum-sealed storage containers which can go in the fridge. These containers come in several different sizes and stack neatly inside the fridge.
Oh, and hello, even more amazingness – the Vacuvita app for android or iPhone device. Scan your Vacuvita containers and bags and, as your food is nearing the end of its shelve, fridge or freezer life, you’ll get a message so you can consume it in time! This makes it easy to plan a meal, even when you’re not at home – again saving time, saving money and reducing waste.
Enter to win a Vacuvita Home Base Set that includes the Home Base, one small container and 10 vacuum bags (ARV $299). Enter via the Rafflecopter instructions below:
- 2 lbs boned, trimmed side of salmon skin on or off, your preference
- 1 tablespoons freshly grated ginger can use ginger paste from tube
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parlsey
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 large lemon, sliced
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Cut salmon into 6 even sized pieces of just over 5 ounces each.
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Rub top of each filet with fresh ginger or ginger paste. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, pressing in a bit with fingers to stick.
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In small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt and white pepper. Set aside.
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Place salmon filets in Vacuvita bags. I freeze 3 pieces in each bag, but you can do any number that suits your need from 1 piece to all 6 pieces. Vacuvita bags come in Small, Medium and Large to suite your needs.
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Divide marinade evenly into bags(s) with fish taking care not to go past the fill line. Remove air from bags to vacuum seal with the Vacuvita. (In a pinch you can use a straw and zip-lock bag, but I highly recommend the Vacuvita).
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Freeze fish until ready for meal time and cook via sheet pan or sous vide method.
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Preheat oven to 400 F degrees. Remove fish and any frozen marinade stuck to it from plastic bag. Place on foil-lined baking sheet.
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Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until tender and beginning to flake.
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In large pot, bring water to a constant 110 degrees using submergable thermometer on side of pot. Clip bag to side of pot and cook for 60 to 75 minutes, monitoring and adjusting heat as needed to maintain 110 degree temperature.
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Remove bag with fish from water to check doneness. Reseal and return to water, to cook in 5 minute increments, if not yet finished to your preference.
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Remove fish from bag and discard marinade. Serve fish as-is or pan sear on high heat for 1 minute on each side.
I like quick and easy meals and would love to get an Instant Pot. I could enjoy some things on a week night that normally can only have on the weekends due to the cooking time.
I prefer quick, simple meals. Creamy, CheMy favorite make ahead meal is Creamy, Cheesy, Chicken Lasagna.
Oops. My comment jumbled: I prefer quick, simple meals. My favorite make ahead meal is Creamy, Cheesy, Chicken Lasagna.
I usually make a pot roast every Sunday that will last 2-3 days to get me to hump day.
I love trying new techniques, recipes, and ingredients. For awhile I’ve been interested in sous vide, but don’t have the machine.
I love my anova sous vide. I cook nearly all my proteins with it now. Steaks are fool proof, chicken is juicy and perfect.
Such a great tool for healthy eating!
I love cooking and trying new recipes, especially the instant pot recipes because I think it is convenient 🙂 I also love quick and healthy meals 🙂
Thank You for the chance!
I like quick and simple, my favorite quick meal is meatloaf.
I like experimenting with new cooking methods. One of my favorite quick meals is a salad topped with grilled salmon or chicken.
I prefer quick and simple meals because of time constraints. Like to make a big lasagna have have for leftovers the next day
You know I love me some salmon – definitely need the Vacuvita in my life!
my favorite make ahead meal is soup. I like to prepare a soup each week and then I can eat on it all week.
I like quick and simple meals. I like to prepare stew ahead of time
I like the quick and easy meals, and one of my favorite make-ahead meals is chicken and andouille sausage gumbo.
I prefer simple old fashioned methods.
I prefer quick, simple meals.
I like quick and simple meals but I can food in the summer so have some quick side dishes
I like quick and simple meals. But, I will periodically make a double batch of lasagna. I then cut it up into portion sized pieces and freeze it for later, easy fixing.
I usually gravitate towards quick and easy meals.
I like quick and simple meals. My make ahead is lasagne
We buy into a lot of the trends, like the sous vide or instant pot, but then we never use them!!
I like quick meals but will plan ahead when i can. My favorite to make is stuffed grape leaves.
I like to try new things in food and I also like simple recipes with whole organic foods.
I like quick, simple meals.
I like to have marinated chicken ready to go in the freezer. THank you!
I prefer simple and quick meals, but I do make meals and freeze them in individual servings often. Thank you. 🙂
I like making soups!
I like simple and quick! And making batches to freeze for individual meals later is the best. Would love the Vacuvita. Sous Vide sounds cool though.
I love making squash and tomato soup.
I tend to go with the simple and easy meals because of my busy work schedule.
I like trying new things but wouldnt say I am trendy! I think my favorite make ahead meal is likely lasagna as I make one and freeze a couple too.
I’m kinda in the middle, I make sous vide egg bites but I don’t have the machine so I make them with a pan of water in the over for the steam effect.
I haven’t tried any new trends because I have no time to try with work. But I would love to try some new trends!
I love trying new things but my kitchen reality is making the same darn pot roast or sauteed chicken and mashed potatoes every stinking week! (I cook for my Dad and to say he is a meat & potatoes is an understatement.)
I prefer simple recipes, preferably ones I can prepare for a slow cooker.
I prefer quick and simple recipes that I can do with a busy schedule
I like to make quick simple meals. My favorite recipe to make is white lasagna.
I prefer quick easy meals, especially during the week. Love using my slow cooker!
I am always wanting to try the latest cooking trends and would love to try out sous vide!
I like experimenting with new techniques, but for day-to-day cooking, I mostly stick with the quick, tried-and-true methods. I’ve owned a sous vide machine for a few months, but I haven’t actually gotten around to using it yet (in my defense, it’s a super-weird one that can only be controlled by a phone app.)
I love trying new foods, and my go to is spaghetti.
We’re always trying out new gadgets. Some are keepers, some not. We love having a vacuum sealer, but needing to upgrade as ours is at least 15 years old and getting worn. My favorite make ahead is chili. Thanks!
I prefer the quick, easy meals most days but like to spend more time in the kitchen making some specialty meals for various occasions and holidays.
I like quick, simple meals most of the time, but i sometimes make special, more elaborate meals on weekends. I’ve never tried sous-vide, but I might sometime.
https://twitter.com/tannawings/status/974130992301641728 tweet for 3/15- I had an Irish saying in paste I was gonna tweet 🙂 Sorry about that!
Wouldnt let me correct it.
Does the Instant Pot count as one of the latest cooking trends? Because I love my Instant Pot — I look forward to making a nice corned beef in it on Monday!
I stick to the classics. My favorite make ahead meal is a roast chicken.
I am definitely into cooking trends! I love learning and experimenting in the kitchen.
I tend to stick with what I know, but I admit I’m curious about this! My favorite make-ahead is white chicken chili.
I prefer simple, quick meals! I’m very busy so I don’t usually have much time to make big meals.
Are you into the latest cooking trends (like sous vide) or prefer quick, simple meals?
I like quick, easy and tasty meals.
What is your favorite make ahead meal? My favorite is lasagna.
Yes I’m into the latest cooking trends.
Oh I like a little of both! Oh the weekends I like to try new things, and during the week I like it quick and easy most nights!
I prefer quick and simple. I can’t think of anything I make ahead
I prefer quick and simple recipes, the far as I stretch with make ahead recipes are crock pot recipes that cook themselves for a few hours!
I love sous vide!! We jumped on the pressure cooker bandwagon like 10 years ago but just got an Instant Pot Ultra, which can do sous vide, and I’ve been going to town with it! (Although I feel totally wasteful going through plastic bags, Love that Vacuvita’s are reusable!!) I actually really enjoy cooking so I rarely look for a quick simple meal. I do love keeping crock pot dump bags in my freezer though, just stew or chicken dishes, for when I don’t have time to make a “masterpiece” in the kitchen. 🙂 I can’t wait to try your salmon recipe this weekend!!
I like simple meals. I don’t make much ahead but stick to meat and veggies so everything is easy to cook.
I’m just really enthusiastic about anything when it comes to cooking, classic, cutting edge, even faddish.
I like anything in the crock pot!
yes i like the latest cooking trends and i make pot roast and it last 2 days or ill make some spagetti
I prefer quick and simple meals. I work long hours, weekly. So time is important for me.
I love both ends of cooking, depending on the day and my work load. It can be quick and simple to an all day event and everything in between. Cooking to me is like therapy. I love the latest trends, but also one of my favorite pans is my great grandmas cast iron skillet. I love sous vide method, I’m experimenting and finding new ways to do things. My go to meals are beef stroganoff, shrimp scampi, sausage & pepper pasta, stuffed peppers and any kind of homemade soup.
I like quick and simple meals.
I like quick and simple most of the time. However, I like to go all out every once in a while.
i like like meals. i make qiuinoa ahead
I usually gravitate towards quick and easy meals.
I do prefer quick and simple meals but my favorite make ahead meal is lasagna!
I love quick, simple meals and we love making homemade pizza roll-ups!
Prefer quick and simple meals.
I try to make simple meals, but every once in a while will try something new.
Yum! That looks so good and perfect for staying on track with my macros. I haven’t tried that technique yet but I totally need to. Lately I have been loving a healthy, shredded chicken teriyaki that I make in my instant pot. It has been my favorite lately. Throw that in my tupperware with asparagus and brown rice and good to go!
Yes I do like fast quick meals I have to always do a GF for my son with Celiacs disease
Quick simple meals are always great.
I am simple- plain jane- but this would be so useful for my meal prepping! I love the reusable bags!
I prefer quick simple meals. I really like to keep things simple and fresh!
I am not really simple, but not a really advanced cook. This would be amazing to have and use!
I am not that good a cook, so I have to make quick and easy meals. My favorite is a nice big salad, garlic bread and spaghetti with tomato sauce.
I like to cook simple comfort food
I prefer quick and simple recipes. I try to make crock pot recipes at least once a week.
I love to try new cookign gadgets and trends. This would be a wonderful addition to my kitchen!
I like quick and simple. I usually use the crock-pot for pot roast.
I like quick and simple but I am up for trying new trends.
I like quick and simple and my favorite make ahead meal is a spaghetti and meatsauce..
I do both depending on much time I have.
I like quick meals we eat a lot of stir fry meals
I love quick and easy!
My favorite make-ahead meal is lentil soup- it tastes even better the second day!
I usually do @ least 2 roasted chicken every Sunday. I use it to make various meals.
I like to make easy comfort food like chili.
With having four young boys in the house, u prefer simple and quick meals to serve but at the same time, I love to cook so I’m always looking at new cooking items and recipes. I love to make chicken and rice dinners
We seem to be so busy quick and easy work best for us
I love trying new cooking methods and I love old ones as well. I am really into cooking, it’s my absolute favorite hobby.
I like to make easy food, like spaghetti.
I usually lean toward quick and easy meals, but every now and then I love trying new things and trends. I love cooking ahead.
I like quick & simple but my husband cooks wonderfully. My favorite to make is lasagna.
I am a fan of quick easy food! My favorite make ahead meal is any type of soup!
I love the meal that are simple and easy to make
I like quick and easy meals and would love to get an Instant Pot. I could enjoy some things on a week night that normally can only have on the weekends due to the cooking time.
I prefer quick simple meals
I like quick and simple meals. Sometimes it is nice to prepare an abundance of food in one shot for easy meals down the road.
I do big meals and quick and easy meals. It depends on my time. I like freezing casseroles so I will have a fresh meal ready when I need it.
I prefer quick easy meals. My favorite make ahead meal is roast on the weekend so I can use the leftovers all week.
I have a sous vide system that I have never used. I cook using various methods.
I’m vegetarian, and one of my favorite make-aheads is preparing several servings of my protein of choice – tofu, seitan, tempeh – and then it becomes really easy to assemble with vegetables! Stir frys are a great easy meal for me.