Produce & Pantry

Erythritol is a natural and low-glycemic sweetener. Studies show that it does not have the same effect as regular sugar on tooth enamel or blood sugar, and that it doesn't cause indigestion the...

Dried beans, whether purchased at the grocery or homegrown, will keep up to one year if stored properly. Simply tossing the bag of beans on the pantry shelf can often result in tough beans, even...

If hunting season has rewarded you with more venison than you can use right away, consider freezing it for future use. Ground venison will store well in the freezer for about five months, while...

Ginger has been used in Asia and the Middle East since ancient times as a cooking spice and healing herb. If you are using fresh ginger for tea or in recipes, you may already know that a little...

Beets are a type of root vegetable that grows in cool temperatures, especially the fall and spring. Although canned beets are available in grocery stores all year long, they don't have the same...

Plastic bowls are an excellent way to carry your lunch or store leftovers from meals and may be used over and over again---which is a nice way to try and reduce the amount of garbage you throw...

For generations, families with gardens and farms have been preserving food after harvest to last throughout the year. In fact, people have been preserving food in jars since the early 19th...

Agave nectar is an all-natural liquid sweetener that can be used in place of sugar or honey. The nectar is extracted from wild agave fruit. Agave nectar is considered a healthier sugar substitute...

Leeks resemble giant green onions, with green tops and white bottoms. Their mild onion-like flavor goes well in stews and other recipes, most notably potato soup. When purchasing leeks look for...

When there are leftovers after a meal, many people reach into the kitchen drawer for their trusty plastic wrap roll. Plastic wrap creates a considerable amount of waste, though, because it cannot...

Manufacturers of foodstuffs rely on packaging their products for reasons that range from protection, freshness and containment to serving size, marketing considerations and compliance with...

Onions are a kitchen staple...they add flavor to almost any dish. But chopping an onion for every meal can take time. An easy way to always have onions ready for any meal is to freeze them....

One of the problems with pre-packaged cold meats is that, once the package is opened, it's not long before the meat spoils and you have to throw what's left away. It's a particularly annoying...

You can make a vacuum food saver using many products you already have around the house. With the right kind of container, some kind of pump or even just your mouth, you can create a seal that...

Plastic produce bags have their appeal, but reusable mesh bags made of cotton offer environmental and financial incentives. Plus, some types of produce simply last longer in them.

Bread is a staple of life in almost all parts of the world. Although there are numerous types of bread available, most require similar storage procedures. Homemade and store-bought breads are a...

The strawberry is a popular berry fruit. There are over 20 species of strawberry plants and they come in over 600 varieties. The most common variety of strawberry is the garden variety. Peak...

Strawberries are one of the joys of summer, but their season is fleeting. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy strawberries the rest of the year. Strawberries are an easy crop to preserve just as...

Zucchini is a green summer squash and is a good source of vitamins A and C and dietary fiber. It can be eaten raw or cooked and can be used in baked goods, such as zucchini bread. Zucchini usually...

Parmigiano Reggiano is a strongly flavored, hard Italian cow's milk cheese. It is generally sold in wheels or wedges and is similar to the more common Parmesan cheese; however, Parmigiano Reggiano...

A clementine is a juicy mandarin orange with a sweet taste. Clementines are known for their thin, smooth skin and seedless, orange fruit. Some people have come to call clementines "zipper oranges"...

Wilted lettuce, soured milk, grayish meat--the old maxim waste not, want not takes on new meaning when your food purchases have gone bad. Fresh food is perishable; its enemies are time, moisture...

I used to think I knew it all when it came to freezing food.... until things started tasting different, started getting freezer burned or smelled like garlic bread :-) Once I started following a...

Muffins are great for breakfast or a snack. Unfortunately they can be expensive, especially if you purchase only a few at a time. The answer? Buy your muffins in bulk, package them, freeze...

Have you ever stood in front of the vegetables in the produce section of the supermarket when all of a sudden the sprinklers go off with enough force to put out a four-alarm fire? You know the...

We've all heard those TV chefs touting the virtues of cooking with fresh herbs, yet most of us don't really seem to heed their advice. There is definitely something to be gained when opting for...

Freezing bacon is the best way to use only what you need and store the rest. It also allows you to purchase in bulk without waste.

Classified as a pasteurized processed cheese product, Velveeta has been a staple in American kitchens since the 1920s. It is made from cheese and dairy products and is used for recipes from...

Some plants in the celery family (apium graveolens), have been consumed by humans for hundreds of years. Popular in healthy diets, due to its high percentage of bulk fiber and its low calorie...

If you want some kick in your kitchen, cilantro is the herb for you. The pungent smell and taste of this versatile plant is a must-have for anyone who wants to turn up the volume on their cooking....

If you cook Italian dishes on a regular basis, you know the importance of keeping fresh basil on hand. With a myriad of uses, from soups and sauces to seasoning fresh poultry and pork dishes,...

Tired of your bread getting moldy before you can make it through the whole loaf? While there is no surefire way to stop mold entirely, there are methods to slow the molding process. Baked goods...

Nuts contain a lot of oil and can become rancid if not stored properly. Storing them properly, however, is easy. When stored in a container in the refrigerator or freezer, nuts may stay fresh...

Vegetables are generous plants. You can eat almost every part of them from the root to the leaves. Within these parts of the plants you will find an abundance of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and...

Broccoli is hailed as a wonder vegetable. It is packed full of phytonutrients that boost your body's immune power. It has been found in numerous studies to prevent cancer, cleanse and detoxify...

many times when i am cooking i have extra fresh herbs and this is a great way to save and use your fresh herbs all you need to do is clean and dry your fresh herbs and put them into plastic...

Bulk foods are often less expensive than smaller packages. The only downside to buying in bulk is that the food can spoil before you have time to eat it. How can you keep bulk foods fresh? How can...

Fresh vegetables are great but they don't last very long. Most vegetables stay fresh with cool temperatures and high humidity but there are steps you can take when storing vegetables to encourage...

Salads are simple to prepare, delicious and nutritious, and when stored properly can be munched on for days. However, when you don't store lettuce properly, it quickly wilts, turns soft and brown...

Fruit flies love bananas, which offer them not only rich and delicious nutrients but also the perfect habitat for breeding and hatching offspring. While this is good news for fruit flies, it's...

Storing food that was bought in bulk is a great way to save money on the fluctuating costs of food, but so many times it happens that after a while the food starts looking dehydrated. No one wants...

Weevils are tiny members of the beetle family whose larva grow within the seed casings of grain and seeds and are only seen after they burst that seed coating. They are very small - under 1/4" at...

Treat asparagus stalks like you would a fresh batch of flowers and extend its freshness. You should eat asparagus soon after placing it in a refrigerator.

Mushrooms have a reputation for spoiling quickly. However, you'll be amazed at how much longer your mushrooms last after taking some simple measures to prevent their decay.

Bread crust is sometimes meant to be hard but when it isn't you want to keep the crust soft in addition to the actual bread. By using the right techniques from the moment you bring the bread home...

Preserve the natural goodness of fresh foods by using a solar dehydrator. There are commercial dehydrators on the market, or you can make your own solar version. The main ingredient in any solar...

These delicate vegetables need moisture and can't be stored for long. It's best to use them soon after purchasing.

Fruits and vegetables must be adequately prepared before freezing.

In general, try to only cook the amount of pasta you're going to eat. However, if you just can't finish that huge lasagna you made, here are some tips for storing it.

Herbs tend to be expensive, and you usually have to buy more than you need for one dish. Make the most of your hard-earned cash by keeping your herbs fresh as long as possible.