We could have spent years in the kitchen, mastering the art of cooking and preparing exceptional delicacies for ourselves, friends and family. However, all of this would not be possible without the backbone of any dish – the ingredients. Common food items like tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes don’t get as much credit as their well-known items like meat, biscuits, and exotic vegetables. However, it is these common foods that form the basis of many of the curries and dishes that we prepare every day. Storing these common ingredients properly will not only extend their shelf life, but also ensure your everyday cooking is easy and delicious. If you’re looking to eliminate the daily grocery shopping, here are some tips on what not to do when storing these popular foods.
How Not to Store These 7 Common Foods:
1. Potatoes:
Potatoes are one of the most used ingredients in Indian cooking. From aloo matar ki sabji to aloo ke parathe to aloo biryani, the humble potato fits the bill as a perfect breakfast, lunch and dinner option. Some steps to avoid when storing potatoes for a better shelf life are: Avoid washing potatoes before storing; Moisture will promote rotting. Do not store half-cut potatoes because exposure to humidity in the environment will cause them to turn gray. Store potatoes in a cool, dry place.
Do not store potatoes in a humid place
2. Tomatoes:
Tomatoes are next in line when it comes to staples in Indian cooking. It is not recommended to store tomatoes with the stem they come with. The stalk area clings to the fruit resulting in a loss of moisture and freshness. Trim off the stalks and keep them facing down to prevent moisture and flavor loss over a longer period.
(Also read: How to store pulses: 5 easy tips to keep bugs out)
3. Chili:
This one is for all the spice addicts out there. Have you had to throw away bags of chili peppers because they spoiled too soon? Here’s what you might be doing wrong – store them with moisture. One of the worst things to do when storing chili peppers is to keep them in a humid place. If you want peppers to have a longer shelf life, store them in an airtight container, zip-lock bag, or aluminum foil, but only after you’ve cut off the stalk and dried properly.
Cut off the stalks before storing the peppers
4. Banana:
One of the most accessible and multi-purpose fruits, bananas are some of the most loved fruits out there. From adding them to shakes and smoothies to creating banana bread and even serving them as a healthy breakfast item, fruit is a common feature in most of our homes. However, do you know the mistakes you are making when preserving these fruits? Keep them in contact. Yes, it is said that keeping the stalks of the banana in contact will speed up the rotting process. For a longer shelf life, wrap the stems in aluminum foil or food wrap.
(Also read: See: Easy hack to keep berries fresh for up to 2 weeks)
5. Herbs:
Herbs like dhaniya and pudina have helped us add hints of freshness and vibrancy to many of our dishes. However, if you want to preserve these herbs for a longer time, they should not be stored in the condition they were bought in the market. Always remember to gently wash these herbs to remove dirt, then cut the stems and let them dry. Store in a jar with a little water and cover with a ziplock bag.
Always wash herbs before storing
6. Butter:
A common ingredient in breakfast parathas and our favorite curries, a buttery patty instantly enhances the flavor of any dish we’re consuming. However, did you know that we are inadvertently making some mistakes while preserving avocados? It is said that you shouldn’t keep butter near any ingredients that have a strong scent to it. Butter tends to absorb flavors and will not be eaten if left untreated. Also, it’s better to store avocados in the freezer if you’re not going to use them for a short time.
(Read more: 5 Mistakes We All Make When Storing Food)
7. Eggs:
We tend to buy eggs in bulk and keep them for later consumption. However, if you want your eggs to stay fresh and safe for longer, don’t take them out of the original container that came with them. Simply because these bins are well ventilated and retain moisture at all times. Keeping eggs in the fridge for longer can lead to condensation on the eggshells making them more susceptible to bacteria.
Do not store eggs in the refrigerator for a long time
There you have it, avoid these common mistakes while preserving foods in the kitchen and enjoy them for an even longer time. Do you know of any hosting hacks like this? Let us know in the comments below.
