Don’t let it go to waste!
During these hard times, it’s a sin to be wasting food. As much as possible, we have to stretch our goods for as long as we can and make sure that each piece and portion is used for its purpose. A good way to do that is to know the tricks and tips to properly store different kinds of food.
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Storing food the right way will not only ensure that you’ve got something for your belly in the coming days; it will also help you save loads of money! Check out these hacks and be a master in the kitchen!
Fruits & Vegetables
Keep your greens green!
Wrap your greens with paper towels to keep them fresh and crisp. If they ever start wilting, a good soak in ice water for a few minutes will usually revive them.
Fresh herbs
Place your mint, parsley, cilantro, basil, and thyme in a jar that has a few inches of water. Doing this will help them last longer. This also works for green onions!
Separate bananas and apples
Bananas and apples emit a gas that causes other fruits to ripen faster. Be sure to store them away from other fruits to prevent them from spoiling.
Keep veggies crunchy!
If you have celery, radishes, and carrots, you can chop them up and put them in a jar filled with water. This will ensure that they are fresh and crispy once you use them!
Mind your mushrooms
Keep your mushrooms dry and firm by putting them in a paper bag. This will allow air to circulate and keep the humidity balanced.
Not too fast, bananas!
In this warm weather, bananas tend to ripen quickly. To slow down that process, wrap the stem with plastic wrap. You can also break the bananas apart and wrap them individually.
Berry good!
The best way to keep your berries in good shape is to soak them in vinegar and water before putting them in the fridge.
Paper towels are the answer
Excess moisture is the culprit of rotten veggies. To prevent this from happening, place some paper towels at the bottom of your produce drawer. This will help your vegetables remain fresh for a long time.
Meat and Fish
Keep them cold!
After getting your meats and fishes from the grocery, place them in airtight containers or wrap them in cling wrap. You may also place them in a tray to prevent any leakage. Then, immediately store them at the coldest part of your freezer.
Separate raw and cooked
Make sure that your raw seafood and meats are separated from foods that have already been cooked. Practicing this will prevent any cross-contamination.
Seal your seafood!
For squids, shellfishes, and shrimps, it’s best to cook them immediately to maintain their freshness. However, if you plan on storing them for a while, place them in a tight-sealed bag or any container that will prevent any leakage.
Bread and Dairy
Freeze your bread
For fresh bread, store them on the counter. Don’t put them in the fridge or else it will grow molds due to the moisture. If you’re bread is near the expiration date, you can prolong its life by placing it in the freezer.
Upside-down dairy
Extend the life of your sour cream, yogurt, and cottage cheese by turning its container upside down. This will create a seal that can prevent oxygen from entering the container of your dairy.
Make milk last
Milk is usually placed on the shelves of your fridge door, but this part is warmer than the other parts of the fridge. Place your milk in the main part of your fridge, where it’s much colder, to help your milk stay fresh for a longer time.
Cheesy solutions
Wrap your cheese in wax paper to keep moisture sealed out. Once you’ve cut a portion of cheese, you can dab a bit of butter on the cut part so that it won’t dry out.
Keep the eggs in the cartons!
Don’t remove the eggs from the carton they came in with. Doing this will prevent the eggs from absorbing the flavors and odors of other items inside the fridge.
Condiments, Herbs, and Other Pantry Staples
Save your spices
Make sure that your spices are stored away from direct heat and sunlight. Being exposed to such can damage the spices and lessen their flavor.
Put your herbs in oils
Herbs going bad? How about putting them in oil? This will extend their life and keep their flavor!
Brown Sugar + Marshmallow
It’s hard to use dried brown sugar that’s rock solid and clumped. To keep the brown sugar moist, place them inside a sealed container and add a marshmallow inside.
Don’t let the salt stick
Salt might clump together especially if your place is severely humid. To prevent this, put some dry rice inside the salt container to absorb the excess moisture.
Airtight is right
Make sure that dry foods such as oats, rice, pasta, and cereal are stored inside a tight-sealed container to prolong their freshness and texture.
Keep your condiments cool
Condiments like ketchup, hot sauce, Sriracha, soy sauce, mayo, mustard, and maple syrup are a must-have in the kitchen. But once you’ve opened them, keep them in the fridge to maintain their freshness and prolong their shelf life.
Aaaand that’s the way to do it!
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