The best ways of keeping food fresh

[adelia]

Hey guys,
I was wondering if you could share some of the secrets you use in order to keep food fresh until its time to use it. For example I read somewhere about basil ice cubes and this seems new to me. If anyone has more information and other secrets on how to keep food nice and french please share and let us all be enlightened!

[taxlady]

I put lettuce and other leafy greens, like parsley, in a plastic bag and clip it shut, but I make sure the sides of the top are open to let in air. It really helps keep them fresh and "perky" instead of limp or slimy.

[mcnerd]

Wrap celery in aluminum foil. Keep cheese stored in vacuum-sealed refrigerator bags. Store lettuce in vacuum-sealed containers in frig and it will stay crisp for a long time.

[TATTRAT]

Besides the occasional use of tupperware, I just buy in smaller quantities. I would rather use it up, then sit on it.

Produce needs to breath, and keep it chilled, but not cold.

Root veggies should be stored in a cool, dark place.

Don't refrigerate onions, or whole garlic.

Tomatoes go in the fridge to halt ripening, a brown bag to speed ripening, and on a window sill for daily/soon to be used.

Similar with fruits.

Try to keep fruit and veg separate as the gasses they put off can effect the life of each other.

[taxlady]

Originally Posted by TATTRAT

Besides the occasional use of tupperware, I just buy in smaller quantities. I would rather use it up, then sit on it.

Produce needs to breath, and keep it chilled, but not cold.

Root veggies should be stored in a cool, dark place.

Don't refrigerate onions, or whole garlic.

Tomatoes go in the fridge to halt ripening, a brown bag to speed ripening, and on a window sill for daily/soon to be used.

Similar with fruits.

Try to keep fruit and veg separate as the gasses they put off can effect the life of each other.

I always keep garlic and onions in the fridge. I have tried leaving them out and they go off. The onions get weird and yucky on the inside and the garlic dries up.

[Dawgluver]

Onions in the fridge veg crisper. They last forever, and don't burn your eyes when you cut them.

[Zhizara]

Originally Posted by taxlady

I always keep garlic and onions in the fridge. I have tried leaving them out and they go off. The onions get weird and yucky on the inside and the garlic dries up.

Thanks for the tip, TL. I've always kept onions in the fridge, but not garlic. I'll try keeping the garlic there too. I hate the way they dry up.

[taxlady]

Originally Posted by Zhizara

Thanks for the tip, TL. I've always kept onions in the fridge, but not garlic. I'll try keeping the garlic there too. I hate the way they dry up.

Oh, the garlic will still dry up, but not nearly as fast ;)

If it does dry up, I throw it in the jar for vegi stock.

[Zhizara]

That would work for me. I do try to use it up before it get's dry, but sometimes...

[Steve Kroll]

Originally Posted by Zhizara

Thanks for the tip, TL. I've always kept onions in the fridge, but not garlic. I'll try keeping the garlic there too. I hate the way they dry up.

I do the same as you, though I've never had garlic dry up. I find sprouting to be more of a problem.