Cheese Sauce Cauliflower

Cauliflower cheese is a dairy-based product, and in its unopened store-bought form, it's typically good for about a week past the 'sell by' or 'use by' date printed on the package. Once opened, however, it's best to consume it within 3-5 days. For the homemade variety, caution should be exercised as it should ideally be eaten within 2-3 days as it lacks commercial preservatives. Freezing cauliflower cheese is a great option to extend its lifespan - it can last for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.

It's easy to tell if your cauliflower cheese has gone bad. First, simply look for any signs of mold- these can be green, blue, or white colored splotches on the cheese. Mold is an obvious sign that it's gone bad and you should absolutely not consume it. The second sign is a sour smell; good cauliflower cheese has a rich, creamy scent and anything off-putting or sour indicates that it's likely spoiled. Finally, if you take a small taste and it has developed a bitter, unpleasant flavor, it’s best to discard it.

• Always store the cauliflower cheese in a tightly sealed container to avoid the absorption of other smells in the fridge. • If you're freezing cauliflower cheese, split it into portions in freezer-safe containers or bags so you can easily defrost the amount you need. • Thaw frozen cauliflower cheese safely in the refrigerator to maintain its texture and consistency. • If possible, don’t cut into your cauliflower cheese until you're ready to use it. The less surface area exposed to the air, the slower the degradation process. • Don't leave cauliflower cheese out at room temperature for more than two hours; bacteria can grow quickly in dairy products. • If you've only used part of your cauliflower cheese, you can press a piece of wax paper against the cut surface before wrapping it up and putting it back in the fridge. This can help protect it from exposure to air, thus slowing down spoilage.