Today's Cooking Tip-update

[wilderness]

I wanted to post this before I forgot about it.  I like the little cucumbers and the kirbys.  Problem is they come 6 to the package and I never get them eaten before they spoil.  I did some research a couple of weeks ago and moisture in the refrigerator is the cucumbers enemy.  That is why you see the English Cucumbers warped tightly in plastic wrap in the store.

To extend the life of your cucumbers when you get the home make sure they are dry and wrap them tightly with plastic wrap before putting them in the refrigerator.  I went a step further.  I have a vacuum sealer and the vacuum sealer zip lock type bags.  I just pull cucumbers from the refrigerator that have been in the vacuum sealed bag 3 weeks and they are just fine.  The were damp but since no air could get to them they were like the day I bought them.

Anyone else have so cooking tips whether it be techniques, little tricks you use to make things easier or anything that would be helpful to other cooks please post them so we can add the to our cookbook.

Thanks.

Bet

[wilderness]

I just pulled the last cucumber from the vacuum seal bag and it is just as fresh as the day I put it in there.  I don't thing a plastic wrapped cucumber would keep as long as the vacuum seal but it sure extended the freshness.

Bet

[emr]

Keep berries fresh by storing them in Mason or Ball jars. I learned this from a coworker. I have used this with strawberries and blueberries and it works great.

Wash the berries and dry them completely -- this is important. I leave them in a colander for several hours at least, and then spread them out on a kitchen towel and leave all day or overnight. Sometimes I put another towel on top and rub gently.

When they are dry, put them into a jar (or jars) and refrigerate. I've had blueberries stay fresh for over a week without getting moldy or mushy at all. I've done strawberries too but they didn't last that long!

[wilderness]

Elza, thanks.  I will be updated our cookbook with this information.

Bet