Today, all the inhabitants of the country are forced to adapt to military realities. And one of the most pressing issues is the stock of products in advance. But more often than not, we just don’t have time to eat them before they go bad. In order not to waste food in the trash, you need to know how to properly store food in the refrigerator and in-room condition. Therefore, we have collected proven life hacks and shared them with you.
Store fruits and vegetables separately
First of all, you should get rid of those “deposits” that have accumulated in the refrigerator. Review the expiration dates of the products and make sure that none of them are spoiled or expired. Empty containers of fruits and vegetables that you haven’t eaten. If possible, wash the refrigerator with clean water and baking soda. When going to the store, think over the shopping list and calculate the budget. Try to stick to what you have planned, resisting the temptation to take everything and more. This will help save money and get rid of excess food supplies that would later have to be thrown away.
Store food in airtight containers
Unsealed food in the refrigerator is a bad option. Food, being in such a neighborhood with each other, quickly weathers and deteriorates. Ordinary containers will help to avoid the spread of harmful bacteria and unpleasant odors. They are suitable for both ready-to-eat food and for preparations. If there are not enough utensils or they do not fit on the shelves, replace them with plastic bags with a zipper. These are sold in the household departments of stores, and if not, then stationery bags of a similar format will do. But remember that you can’t keep meat products, fish, and cheese in polyethylene. It is better to wrap them in food paper or foil. Did we figure out the ready-made dishes, but how to store meat in the refrigerator?
Keep meat fresh in all conditions
Meat can be kept in the refrigerator for no more than a day. If there is no time to cook it right away, then wrap the product with gauze, and place it in the coldest place on the wire rack, substituting a deep plate. The fabric must be changed daily, then the beef will be fresh for up to 4 days, and the pork for up to 2. For long-term storage, the meat should be frozen. Divide it into small portions, wrap it in cling film, and put a note with the date of freezing. Depending on the fat content, such products are stored in the freezer for 6 to 12 months.
We tell you how to store dried meat. Unlike raw, it is not perishable, but it is better to protect it from contact with air. To store in the refrigerator, treat the product with vegetable oil and wrap it in cloth or parchment. At room temperature, vacuum packaging should be used. As a last resort, place the jerky in a well-ventilated, low-temperature area.
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Smoked meat at a temperature of + 5-7 ° C in the refrigerator can be left for a maximum of 12 hours. At -3-0°C – you need to eat it within 2 days. Parchment paper is best suited for storage, in which the product can dry out, but does not deteriorate. If it is not possible to put it in the refrigerator, soak a cotton cloth in saline, wrap the smoked meats in it, and send it to a cool place where there are no sudden changes in temperature.
Store eggs and cheese in the refrigerator
We are used to putting eggs on the refrigerator door. This is wrong because the temperature there is higher than required for their storage. In addition, with frequent opening, shaking of the protein occurs. It is better to leave them in a container on one of the shelves.
To keep eggs fresh at room temperature, prepare sugar syrup for them. Bring one part sugar to two parts water to a boil. Dip the egg in the hot mixture for 5 seconds, place it on a paper towel, and wait for the sugar shell to form. Then put the eggs in a box covered with something soft or covered sand.
As for cheese, it needs to “breathe”, so store it in the refrigerator, wrapped in parchment. Then the mold does not threaten him, and the taste will remain saturated longer.
- Cheese can be frozen in three ways: whole, sliced, and grated. If you decide not to cut, wrap the product in foil. If you choose the sliced option for freezing, try shifting each slice with sheets of parchment to make it easier to separate them later. Just put the grated cheese in ziplock bags.
At room temperature, this dairy product must be hidden in a dark, cool place where direct sunlight does not penetrate. It is also recommended to wrap the cheese in a cotton cloth soaked in saline. Mild and brined varieties such as feta, gorgonzola, and brie will not last long without refrigeration. So eat them first.
Kitchen Hacks Pasta, cereals, and flour
If you do not know how to store cereals and pasta, then we will tell you how to do it without much difficulty. In fact, bulk products have the longest shelf life. All thanks to the high content of starch, which does not allow them to deteriorate. However, flour of all the above products is the most capricious. If you put it in paper bags in a dark, cool, and dry place, it will keep for six months. How to store bug flour: You can preheat the flour in the oven.
- Put gauze bags filled with salt at the bottom of containers with flour or cereals to protect food from insects.
It is important that bulk products are in sealed containers: glass containers or ordinary jars tightly closed with lids. Beans and rice in this state can be stored for 3 years, but durum wheat pasta – as much as 5 years.
- Lemon peel or bay leaf will also help scare away insects from supplies.
You can often find on YouTube how to store cereals, the life hack is as follows: if you don’t have cans on hand, use wide-mouthed plastic milk bottles. They are easy to put in and they won’t take up much space.
Store bread in the freezer
Bread products like comfortable room temperature, but not a refrigerator. There they quickly become stale and lose their taste. Therefore, no need to invent, just put the bread in a paper bag and send it to the bread box. But if you need to keep the pastry for a long time, then freeze it, and then reheat it and you will see that it has not deteriorated at all.
- To keep the bread from molding longer, you can put a handful of iodized salt in the bread box.
Finally, some practical food storage tips:
the coolest place in the refrigerator is at the back wall, so place the most perishable stocks there;
put a sheet of paper towel under the lid of the container to avoid excess moisture;
You can extend the safety of the dish by adding a little lemon juice to it;
Do not forget to write the freezing date on the containers.
FAQs
1. How long can you keep food in the fridge?
Food can typically last in the fridge for a few days to a few weeks, depending on the type of food and how it is stored.
2. Can you freeze fresh fruits and vegetables?
Yes, many fresh fruits and vegetables can be frozen and used later in smoothies, soups, and other dishes.
3. Is it safe to eat food that has gone bad?
No, it is not safe to eat food that has gone bad. Consuming spoiled food can lead to food poisoning and other health issues.
4. How can I tell if my food has gone bad?
Look for signs of spoilage, such as a bad odor, mold, or a change in texture or color. When in doubt, it’s best to throw it out.
5. Are there any foods that should not be stored in the fridge?
Yes, some foods should not be stored in the fridge, such as tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. These foods can lose flavor and texture when refrigerated.
