If the idea of fresh, wholesome food to you starts with chilled ingredients right out of the fridge, you'll be surprised that this is not always the case! The notion that the fridge is a safe place for all your groceries might stem from the belief that freezing food kills bacteria (it actually only renders them inactive), but there are certain items that are fine, or best, kept on the shelves.
We know the feeling of not wanting a perfectly good loaf of bread to go to waste. However, contrary to popular belief, stowing your bread in the fridge is not the most ideal way of extending its life. Besides drying your loaf out quickly, both the fresh taste and texture is affected as bread becomes hard.
Are you a fan of tomatoes for their natural sweetness? Avoid putting them in the fridge as this ruins the goodness within. The nutrient-packed vegetable thrives in heat and is adverse to cold environments. As a result, putting it in the fridge halts the ripening process and causes it to lose its flavour.
Onions do not react well to moisture, turning soft and mouldy from the water they absorb when stored in a fridge. Worst of all? They look exactly the same whether or not they are in optimal condition. Spare yourself the trouble and keep them out of the fridge!
Besides getting rubbery and mouldy, garlic eventually sprouts in the fridge - definitely not ideal if you want to enjoy the delicious, mildly spicy flavour of the vegetable.
Herbs are highly receptive to different smells around them. Keeping them in the fridge will cause them to lose their original flavour and dry them out quickly.
The cold temperature within a fridge slows down the ripening process of bananas. If you are intending to eat your newly bought bunch within a few days, it is best to just store them at room temperature.
Store-bought avocados are usually firm and solid to the touch as they have yet to ripen properly. Much like bananas, keeping them in the fridge will render them inedible for an even longer time.
With natural preservatives to keep it fresh for an indefinite amount of time, honey tastes best left at room temperatures as long as it remains tightly sealed. Fridge storage actually crystallises it, turning it into an almost dough-like form and making it hard to scoop out of its jar.
While cold temperatures prevent the natural oils in nuts from turning rancid, it can also subdue their flavours. Deshelled nuts also tend to absorb the odours from other food in the fridge. Best to keep them in an airtight container in your pantry or kitchen.
Love having chocolate on toast for breakfast or a tasty midday snack? Keep your jar on the shelf and it will not only be super easy to spread, but also have a more intense flavour.
Cooking meat can be a breeze or a task depending upon the kind you choose. Every meat comes with its own set of challenges that can make or break your dish. But there are a few basic rules, which, if followed, can help you excel at handling your chosen delicacy.
For most of us, when we think of staple grains, the plain white rice is the first thing that comes to mind. Most meals don't seem to be complete without this carbohydrate. However, adding a variety of whole grains to your diet can actually introduce a whole new dimension of flavor and nutrition to your daily meals. Before white rice, the diets of our ancestors were actually more varied, and most consumed a combination of interesting whole grains which are far less common now.