…To Make Your Life Easier
from Answers.com
Wrap Banana Stems in Plastic
Covering the top of your banana bunch in plastic wrap will make them last a lot longer. The reason is because most of the natural ethylene gas bananas use to ripen themselves is in the stem. Wrapping the stem in plastic wrap keeps the gas from getting to the rest of the banana. For added benefit, separate the bunch and wrap the stems individually.
Keep an Apple with your Potatoes
America’s Test Kitchen tested the theory that keeping an apple stored with your potatoes keeps them from sprouting. After a few weeks, a potato in the bag without an apple had sprouted and after a month, almost all had sprouted. The bag with the apple stayed sprout free for close to two months!
Give Your Greens a Bath
Are your greens looking a little wilted? Perk them up with an ice water bath. Within a minute or two, osmosis will help rehydrate the vegetable’s dried out cells and making them good as new! Also a quick bath never hurts for getting rid of dirt or leftover pesticides.
Remove Avocado Stems to Test Ripeness
It can be difficult to tell when an avocado is juuuuuust right. To be sure, remove the dry stem and take a peek. A dark brown patch under the stem means it’s too ripe and a lighter, yellow-green patch means you’re good to go! If you’re only eating half an avocado, rub a little lemon juice on the other side and put in a resealable bag to keep it from going brown.
Tape Your Tomato Stems
Similar to the banana technique, you can extend the life of your tomatoes by keeping the stems unexposed. You can either store them stem down on a flat surface or use scotch tape. But never put tomatoes in the refrigerator, as they will dry out and lose their flavor.
Use Dental Floss to Cut Soft Foods
Don’t you hate it when you try to cut through cheese or cake only to end up smashing it flat? Next time, get some unscented dental floss and slice right though. Voila!
Bake Eggs Instead of Boil
Never could master the perfect boiled egg? Try baking! For eggs that are creamier (and a lot less smelly), bake your eggs for 30 minutes at 325 degrees.
Remove Fat with Ice
The next time you make soup or stew, add a couple of ice cubes to the mix. You’ll see that congealed fat globs will rise to the surface that you can skim off.
Prevent Over-Boiling
If you’re busy in the kitchen and are worried about your pot over-boiling, rest a wooden spoon across the top.
Keep Houseplants Happy
Instead of throwing out the water you use to boil pasta and potatoes, let it cool and then use to water your houseplants. There are lots of nutrients in it that are good for them.
Use Celery to Revive Bread
If you’ve still got half a loaf of bread that’s gone stale, don’t despair! Add a rib of celery to the bag and seal overnight. The bread will absorb the humidity in the celery and by morning your bread should be fresh and as good as new.
Keep Salad Fresh with a Paper Towel
If you’re making a salad for later, put a paper towel over the greens and then wrap the bowl in plastic to seal in freshness.
Use Lemons to Keep Fish from Sticking to the Grill
If you prepare fish regularly you know that they usually want to stick to whatever surface you’re cooking them on. Next time, cook your fish on a bed of fresh lemons. It will soak up the yummy flavor and come off the grill in one easy piece.