<\/p>\n
Greens are a staple in any health-conscious household. But keeping them fresh might not seem like an easy task. Contrary to popular opinion, keeping greens fresh for more than a week does not require fancy equipment, just a refrigerator, a plastic bag and a few simple storing tips.
First, when purchasing greens, look for those that are full of life and extremely crisp. Greens can vary from bright to deep shades of color, but if you begin with limp greens, chances are their lifespan will be minimal regardless of your storing techniques. Once purchased, trim the ends as you would with fresh flowers, place the cut ends in water and refrigerate. You can also wrap the cut ends in a damp paper towel, place them inside an open plastic bag to maintain oxygen and then refrigerate. Cool temperatures of between 36 degrees and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (but no warmer) will further help to avoid any wilting. If stored properly, greens can last anywhere from one to three weeks after purchase.<\/p>\n
DHANIA – CORIANDER
First things first, resist the temptation to wash the coriander bunch before putting it in the fridge.
If there is any excess sprayed on mist on the coriander, pat it dry on a napkin or towel leaving just a little; a little mist needed to keep it fresh and fine.
Place it in the plastic bag and wring the plastic bag tight leaving enough space in the bag around the coriander bunch so minimal part of the bag touches it, looking like a coriander bunch in a plastic sphere. You got it.
Wash the required amount before each use and after use, restore the remaining bunch the same way in the fridge and I can bet it won’t spoil for at least 2 weeks.
Clean, wash and chop dhania or mint leaves finely. Fill each cube in an ice cube tray with the finely chopped dhania or mint leaves. Top each cube with cold water and freeze. The dhania or mint cubes can be dropped into curries etc. on an as needed basis.
Wash the greens in cold water. Spin away excess water (a salad spinner is an indispensible kitchen tool). Lay a paper towel flat on the counter and place a layer of damp greens, not wet greens, on the towel. Place another paper towel on top of that and repeat the process till you have no more than three or four layers of greens between paper towels. <\/p>\n
Next, roll up the towel and greens like you would roll a jell-roll. Be gentle, don't roll them tightly. Place the roll in a plastic bag and suck or squeeze out the excess air and tie it closed. Place in the veggie bin of your refrigerator.<\/p>\n
This works well because the paper towel will absorb the moisture off of the outside of the leaves but will remain damp, providing just the right amount of humidity to the greens without making them too wet.
To keep curry leaves and coriander leaves fresh for a long time in the fridge, wrap it in a wet paper towel or muslin cloth and keep it in an air tight box. It lasts for over a month.
Lettuce
Before refrigerating a head of lettuce you brought home from the market, separate it into individual leaves and wash them thoroughly in cold, running water. After drying the leaves, alternate them between sheets of paper toweling, and store the entire bundle in a clear plastic bag, closed with a clip or twist tie, your refrigerator’s vegetable keeper. It will last twice as long without wilting.
•Storing Green Peppers
Store green bell peppers for short-term use by refrigerating them in the produce drawer of your refrigerator. To ensure good air flow, remove peppers from any plastic bag or container they were purchased in. With proper refrigeration, a healthy bell pepper should last from three to five days in the refrigerator.
Another method is to cube or cut up your peppers and wash them. Thereafter freeze in Ziploc bags.
<\/p>\n
To Freeze Herbs:
Method 1:
1.Harvest the freshest, healthiest leaves.
2.Wash, if necessary, and pat dry with paper towels
3.Spread the individual leaves on a small tray or cookie sheet. Freezing the leaves flat and individually will prevent them from freezing together into a brick.
4.Cover and place the tray of leaves into the freezer
5.When frozen solid, place in airtight containers and return to the freezer. Once frozen individually, the leaves will not meld together.<\/p>\n
—
Ammarah
Radio Islam
+27118547022
ammarah@radioislam.co.za
www.radioislam.co.za
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