Wondering if you've left your leftovers in the fridge too long? or if it's safe to eat those eggs you bought last week? We've put together lots of hints and tips to help you out.
Storing fruit and vegetables
Keep carrots fresher for longer
Store your carrots in an airtight container with some paper towels in the bottom and they will last up to 10 times longer.
Stop salad leaves from going limp
Store the in a sealed container lined with paper towels. The box needs to be big enough, so the leaves aren’t squashed. The box will protect the leaves whilst the kitchen roll will absorb any extra moisture.
Bananas don't belong in fruit bowls
The fruit bowl is the worst place for bananas! Ethylene gas, released by foods like apples and pears, causes bananas to ripen faster. Once bananas are ripe they produce ethylene gas, which ripens other fruit. It’s best to keep your bananas away from other fruits.
How to store your onions and potatoes
Both onions and potatoes need to be stored in a cool, dry place, but don’t store them next to each other! Potatoes give off a gas that ripens to the onions.
Cooking tips
Missing a takeaway pizza?
Why not make it with tortillas? Simply add your tomato sauce and topping, put in the oven till the cheese is bubbling and its done! Its super easy, why not get the kids involved and they can choose there own toppings?
The floating egg test
Eggs are safe to eat after their best before date, but you need to keep them cool to keep them fresher for longer. To check if an egg is fresh you should do the float test – place it in a bowl of water, if it floats it is no longer fresh enough to eat.
Make your bacon extra crispy
To make your bacon extra crispy, just cook it in the oven instead. 200 degrees for 15-20mins - making sure you rotate the pan a few times while cooking for an even finish.
Keep your broccoli bright green
Plunge broccoli into ice cold water after blanching to maintain a lovely bright colour.
Storing food and leftovers
Did you know you can freeze milk?
Milk can be successfully frozen. The fresher it is when you freeze it, the fresher it will be when you thaw it, so freeze it as soon as possible. Milk will expand when frozen so tip a small amount out of the bottle (use it in a hot drink) before freezing. Thaw in the fridge and shake well before using.
The 2-2-2 leftovers rule
1. You have 2 hours to get your leftovers into the fridge. 2. You should eat them within 2 days. 3. They will last for at least 2 months in the freezer.
Keep your baked treats fresh
To keep your cakes and baked treats fresh, store them in an airtight container with a single slice of bread. The bread absorbs all the moisture and keeps your treats fresh and delicious!
Out with mouldy bread
The humid climate in Aotearoa means that bread often goes mouldy faster than it goes stale. Storing bread in the freezer will stop this from happening and keep your bread fresh, especially in the warm summer months.
Freeze chilli and ginger
Keep fresh chillies and whole ginger longer by freezing them to use later. Grate them into your cooking once frozen and they are still just as tasty!
Didn't use the whole sauce packet?
If you have any leftover curry pastes, pesto or pasta sauces you can easily freeze these and save them for later. Spoon them into freezer safe containers and use them at a later date to liven up any meal.
Fresh herbs looking a bit tired?
If you have herbs that are about to go to waste, dry them out in the microwave at 20 second intervals until completely dry (4-6 sessions) and use them to season your dishes for months to come. Or you can create flavoured oil capsules, just tear up your herbs and put them into a ice cube container and then add your favourite oil and freeze!
Stock up the freezer with lemons when in season
You can freeze the zest in a jar, lemon slices in a sealable bag, and the juice frozen as ice cubes in an airtight container.
Keep leftover rice
To ensure your leftover rice is safe to eat, cool it as quickly as possible after cooking and eat it within a few days. Use it for fried rice, vege fritters, or to bulk up soups or salads
Can I freeze bananas?
Yes! When bananas start to go brown, pop them in the freezer to use later for smoothie or baking. Peel and chop them into chunks first.
Makeover your leftovers
Never throw away leftovers! Wraps, quesadillas, omelettes, pies, fried rice and soups are some easy ways to makeover leftovers. Always store leftover meat, veges or salad safely in the fridge.