Now You're CookingDivine recipes and much more

By Stephanie Larkin

Article:
If you are interested in health and diet, you have probably read
all the research which points to the benefits of fresh,unprocessed
foods. Eating healthier nearly always means opting for fresh fruits,
whole grains and unprocessed meats and fish.
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Unfortunately, choosing foods without preservatives does have a
down side – food spoils faster. That is no reason to go back to
eating over-processed foods full of chemical preservatives,
though. Long before our dependence on chemical preservatives,
our mothers knew the secrets to keeping food fresh longer
naturally. Here are some tips to help you keep fresh fruits,
grains, vegetables, meat and fish fresh longer – the natural way.
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General Tips:
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1. Keep your refrigerator at the right temperature. It should be kept
between 38 and 40 F. to keep your foods as fresh as possible without
freezing them.
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2. Keep your eye on expiration dates when you shop.
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3. Do not store highly perishable foods in the refrigerator or freezer
door. They are more prone to temperature fluctuation.
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4. Moisture promotes rotting and mold. Wipe vegetables and fruits dry
before storing and avoid storing in plastic bags.
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Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
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Vegetables and fruits give off a gas called ethylene as they ripen.
The ethylene sets off a chain reaction that causes the release of more
ethylene, causing the food to ripen further.When fruits and vegetables
are exposed to ethylene, they ripen faster. Some fruits and vegetables
give off more ethylene than others – and some of them are more
sensitive to ethylene than others.
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1. Ethylene producers include apricots, avocados,bananas, cantaloupes,
honeydew melons, kiwis, mangoes,nectarines, papayas, peaches, pears,
plums, and tomatoes.
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2. Fruits and vegetables that are sensitive to the effects of ethylene
include: apples, broccoli, carrots,cucumbers, eggplants, green beans,
lettuces and other greens,potatoes, summer squash, and watermelons.
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3. To keep fresh fruits and vegetables fresh longer, do not store any
of the former group in the same drawers as those in the latter group.
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4. Store fruits and vegetables in the warmest part of your fridge to
preserve flavor.
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5. Remove produce from plastic bags before storing. The bags trap the
ethylene close to the fruit so that it ripens faster.
6.Wash produce and then dry well before storing. Moisture speeds
rotting.
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Meats and Eggs
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1. Keep fresh meats refrigerated between 38-40 F.
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2. Keep meat in original wrapping in refrigerator if you will be using
it within two days.
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3. Wrap meat in foil or freezer paper before freezing.
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4. Make sure that there is plenty of air circulation around meat
products in your refrigerator.
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5. Store eggs pointed side down.
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6. Wrap smoked meats like ham or bacon in a vinegar-soaked cloth.
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7. Cool cooked meats quickly and completely before placing them in
refrigerator.
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Bread and Cereal Products
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1. Store fresh bread in a cool, dark, dry place like a cupboard or
breadbox.
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2. Close the waxed paper inner bag of breakfast cereals tightly to
preserve freshness. Better yet, transfer the cereal into a zipper lock
plastic bag and put it back in the box.
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3. Freeze bread that will not be used within a week. If you freeze
artisan breads pre-sliced, you can just take a slice when you need it.
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4. Keep soft cookies soft by storing them in a cookie jar or airtight
container with a slice of bread.
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5. Cut slices from loaf cakes like banana bread and pound cake from
the middle instead of the end. After slicing, push the two ends
together to reform the ‘loaf’. You don’t leave a cut end to get stale
that way.
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6. To keep cake moist, store it with half an apple in the container.
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Dairy Products and Cheese
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1. Store milk in its original container.
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2. Do not store milk in the door where temperature is warmer.
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3. Put milk back in refrigerator immediately after using.
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4. Wrap cheese in waxed paper or plastic, then store in deli drawer.
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5. Do not store ice cream in the freezer door. Keep it in the main part
of the freezer.
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6. Place a sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper directly on the surface
of the ice cream before storing. It will keep fresh longer.
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Miscellaneous
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1. Store coffee in an airtight, opaque container to preserver flavor
and freshness.
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2. Buy coffee in whole bean form and grind enough for one pot at a time.
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3. If you buy more coffee than you can use in 3-4 days,store in an
airtight container in the freezer.
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4. Store avocadoes unbagged in the refrigerator.
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5. Store bananas on the counter, unbagged.
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6. Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)should be stored in
their plastic container or a resealable plastic bag in the back of the
refrigerator.
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7.Wrap lettuce in damp paper towels and store in a plastic bag.

Do you have any other ways you’ve discovered to keep food fresh longer?