Kitchen & food storage
How to store vegetables, fruit and leftovers so they do not end up in the bin. Practical kitchen tricks.
How to defrost meat fast: methods that are safe
The fastest safe way to defrost meat is in a sealed bag submerged in cold water: small cuts need 30-60 minutes, and you change the water every half hour. A microwave with a defrost function cuts that to a few minutes, but then the meat has to be cooked immediately. The safest, though slowest, option is the fridge: move the meat from the freezer in the evening and it will be ready to cook in the morning.
How to dry mushrooms in the oven: temperature, time, and the snap test
Dry mushrooms in the oven at a low 40-50°C (105-120°F), with the fan on and the door slightly ajar so moisture can escape. First clean them dry and cut them into slices 3-5 mm thick. The whole process usually takes 6-10 hours, and the mushrooms are ready when they turn brittle and snap when bent.
How to Store Garlic So It Doesn't Sprout or Get Moldy
Keep whole garlic bulbs in a dry, dark, well-ventilated spot at room temperature or slightly cooler, around 15-18°C (59-64°F). Don't put them in the fridge, because the cold and moisture trigger sprouting and mold. Store peeled cloves or garlic paste in the fridge for a few days, or freeze them for longer.
How to check if an egg is fresh: 4 reliable tests
The fastest way to check an egg's freshness is in water. Put it in a glass of cold water: a fresh egg lies flat on the bottom, an older one stands upright with the pointed end down, and a spoiled one floats to the surface. Cracked open, a fresh egg has a firm, thick white and a tall, domed yolk. If you smell a sulfurous odor after cracking, throw the egg out without hesitation.
How to Store Strawberries So They Stay Fresh Longer
Don't wash strawberries before storing them, because moisture speeds up mold. Sort the fruit, remove any damaged berries and arrange the rest loosely in a container lined with a paper towel, then put it in the fridge drawer at 0-4°C (32-39°F). Leave the stems on until you're ready to eat.
How to defrost bread so it tastes fresh
A whole loaf is best defrosted and refreshed in an oven heated to 150-160°C (300-320°F) for 15-25 minutes. Toss slices straight from the freezer into a toaster or air fryer and crisp them for a few minutes. If you have time, simply leave the bread at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
How to Store Avocados and Speed Up Ripening
Keep a hard avocado at room temperature until it softens, and move it to the fridge only once it's ripe - the cold buys you an extra 2-3 days. To speed up ripening, put the fruit in a paper bag with a banana or an apple. Sprinkle a cut avocado with lemon juice and store it tightly sealed in the fridge.
How to Store Carrots So They Stay Firm for Weeks
Carrots keep longest when you cut off the greens right away and put the roots in the fridge. In a container of water or wrapped in a damp towel they stay firm for many weeks. For winter, a crate of slightly damp sand kept at 0-4°C (32-39°F) works well, and you can blanch and freeze any surplus.