7 Tips for Keeping Foods Fresh

Country Living

We have the best intentions when grocery shopping, but life-and shelf life-can easily get in the way, leaving us with a refrigerator full of overripe or just plain rotten food. Try these helpful tricks to get the most out of your food.

1.Revive day-old muffins by sprinkling with water, placing them in a paper bag, and popping the whole thing in the oven for five to 10 minutes, which will create steam and restore moisture.

Get ideas for delicious muffins and other breads.

2. Refresh flat champagne or sparkling wine with a couple raisins in the bottle; the natural sugars will bring back the bubbles.

If you still don't want to drink your champagne, use it in a recipe. We like these Champagne-Dipped Strawberry Brochettes over Chocolate Sauce.

3. Freeze your cheese! Put leftover cheese back in its original package and wrap it tightly in plastic before putting it in the freezer. Pull it out to defrost the day before your next party, and you're good to go.

Learn about the art of making fine cheeses.

4. To restore crunch to radishes, celery, or carrots, drop them in a bowl of iced water with a slice of raw potato.

Make a vegetable soup or another of these comfort foods.

5. Keep crispy cookies crispy by storing them separately from chewy ones so the moisture doesn't diminish the crunch.

Check out our yummiest cookie recipes.

6. To make herbs last longer, place whole, washed bunches in a sealed plastic bag and store them in the freezer to keep them fresh for up to a month. Bonus: They'll be easier to chop when you need them, and will defrost quickly in a hot pan.

See which forgotten herbs are making a comeback.

7.Prevent mushrooms from getting slimy by wrapping them in paper towels before refrigerating.


- If you're trying to save cash, check out these 15 foods you don't need to buy organic.

- And sign up now!: Be part of Yahoo! Shine's new What's for Dinner newsletter to get quick new dinner ideas, easy desserts, soups, sips, and more.


MORE FOOD FRESH TIPS!

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