Perhaps you’ve never heard of injera or maybe you’ve used it for years as an accompaniment to soups and stews. In case you don’t know, it’s an Ethiopian sourdough flatbread and is part of their everyday diet. It is very thin, spongy, and has a mild flavor. You won’t commonly find it in your local supermarket, although some may stock it. You are more likely to find it in specialty stores. Of course, you can make your own out of teff flour. It’s simple to make, like most flatbreads.
The only problem with injera is that it can go moldy very quickly so you have to store it correctly. If you keep it at room temperature, it will only last for two to three days. In the fridge, it will last for up to a week. So, how can you keep it for longer? The simple answer is to freeze it. It will keep for up to three months in the freezer, although, as with a lot of food, the sooner you eat it the better it will taste. Perhaps you are wondering if it will keep the soft and chewy texture it has when it is fresh. The simple answer is yes, as long as you freeze and defrost it properly.
How to Freeze Shop-Bought Injera?
If the injera is in an opened packet, it’s easy. All you have to do is put the package in the freezer. Remember to label the package with the date to remind you when you put it in the freezer. It is easy to forget, especially if you freeze a lot of items. If you want to freeze injera from an opened packet, follow our instructions for freezing leftover injera.
How to Freeze Homemade Injera
Once you’ve made the injera, leave it to cool down for around an hour. It’s important not to put warm items in the freezer as this can cause other food to start to defrost. In most cases, if food defrosts and then freezes again, it can mean that bacteria will develop and this can lead to food poisoning.
The next step is to wrap each piece of injera in aluminum foil. Make sure that they are completely covered otherwise water crystals will form. If this happens, the injera will probably be soggy when it is defrosted. Once you’ve ensured that the injera is completely covered in aluminum foil, put it in the freezer.
How to Freeze Leftover Injera
If you have leftover injera flatbreads, whether they are shop-bought or homemade, it is possible to freeze them. Wrap each piece in cling wrap or aluminum foil and make sure that they are completely covered. Then put a piece of wax paper in between each piece of injera. This helps to stop the injera pieces from sticking together. Once you have done this, put all the pieces in a resealable freezer bag. Ensure that you squeeze out all the air in the bag. If you don’t, it could lead to freezer burn which, although it won’t harm your health, will probably change the taste and texture of your flatbread. Label the bag with the storage date and put it in the freezer.
How to Defrost Injera
It’s not difficult to defrost injera. Just put it on the counter for one to two hours and it will be ready to heat up. Don’t put it in the fridge because it will become dry when reheated, not to mention, tasteless.
Once you feel that the injera has defrosted, it is time to dry them to make sure that there isn’t any moisture in them which would ruin their texture.
How to Reheat Injera
Get some damp paper towels and put them on top of the injera. Stick them in the microwave for 30 seconds. The paper towels protect the injera from excessive heat. The last thing you want to do is overheat them and make them rubbery.
It is also possible to heat the injera in oven toasters for a minute.
Whichever method you use, you are now ready to enjoy your injera.
Conclusion
Injera flatbreads aren’t difficult to freeze or defrost so why not freeze some to enjoy later with a soup or stew. It is a delicious bread with a smoky flavor so why not enjoy it time and time again.
