Author Archives: Miss P

27 Ways To Make Your Groceries Last Longer……

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1. Onions stored in pantyhose will last as long as 8 months.

Onions Photo Credit: oschene via Compfight cc

Onions Photo Credit: oschene via Compfight cc

Put onions in pantyhose, and tie knots between onion. Plus it makes a freaky wall art installation!

Source:seriouseats.com

2. Freeze green onions in a plastic bottle.

Green Onions Photo Credit: tanakawho via Compfight cc

Green Onions Photo Credit: tanakawho via Compfight cc

 Make sure the green onions are completely dry before storing or they’ll get freezer burn.

Source:lunchinabox.net

3. Get an ethylene gas absorber for the fridge.

ethylene absorber

ethylene absorber

 A set of 3 costs $16. These little pods absorb the ethylene emitted by fruits and vegetables to keep them fresh up to 3x longer. Here’s a handy list of ethylene-producing and ethylene-sensitive foods. Source:savvysugar.com

4. Store delicate herbs like flowers, then cover with plastic, secure with a rubber band, and refrigerate.

 Store delicate herbs like flowers, then cover with plastic, secure with a rubberband, and refrigerate.

 This is the best way to keep delicate herbs like parsley, basil, cilantro, and chives fresh the longest.

5. Treat oily herbs differently.

 Treat oily herbs differently.

Oily herbs like thyme can be tied loosely together with string and hung in the open air.

6. If you use a lot of fresh herbs…

 If you use a lot of fresh herbs...

by CouponDropDown”Invest in an Herb Savor. Supposedly, it’ll make your herbs last up to three weeks. Source: amazon.com

7. Use a vinegar solution to make your berries last longer.

 Use a vinegar solution to make your berries last longer.

 Prepare a mixture of one part vinegar and ten parts water. Swirl the berries around in the mixture, drain, rinse, and put them in the fridge. The solution is diluted enough that you won’t taste the vinegar. Raspberries will last a week or more, and strawberries go almost two weeks without getting moldy and soft.

Source: passionforsavings.com

8. Spray leftover guacamole with cooking spray before putting it back in the fridge.

 Spray leftover guacamole with cooking spray before putting it back in the fridge.

There are a number of ways to keep avocado green, and oil is one of them. You should also keep the pit in the guacamole.

Source: onegoodthingbyjillee.com

9. Don’t store onions with potatoes.

 Don't store onions with potatoes.

 They’ll spoil faster. In a cool dry place with good air circulation, onions will last 2-3 months. Source:thevspotblog.com

10. Store potatoes with apples to keep them from sprouting.

 Store potatoes with apples to keep them from sprouting.

 Source: homesteadsurvival.blogspot.com

11. One rotten apple can spoil the bunch.

 One rotten apple can spoil the bunch.

It’s not just an old wives’ tale. Source: thedailymeal.com

12. Add a dab of butter to the cut side of cheese to keep it from drying out.

 Add a dab of butter to the cut side of cheese to keep it from drying out.

Source: thedailymeal.com

13. More cheese rules:

 More cheese rules:

 Wrap in cheese paper or wax paper (NOT plastic wrap) and then place in a plastic baggie. Keep in the warmest part of the fridge (vegetable or cheese drawer). Source: thekitchn.com

14. Freeze and preserve fresh herbs in olive oil.

 Freeze and preserve fresh herbs in olive oil.

 The herbs will infuse the oil while freezing, and the ice cubes are very handy for cooking: just pop one out and use as the base of a dish. Works best with rosemary, sage, thyme, and oregano. Dill, basil, and mint should always be used fresh.

Source: thekitchn.com

15. Follow these rules on where to place items within your fridge:

 Follow these rules on where to place items within your fridge:

Source: squawkfox.com

16. Store asparagus like cut flowers.

 Store asparagus like cut flowers.

 Sort of. Cut the stems, place in water, throw a plastic bag over ’em and refrigerate. They’ll stay crisp for a week or longer, and you can use this trick on cilantro and parsley as well. See here for more details. Source: alwaysorderdessert.com

17. Wrap the crown of a bunch of bananas with plastic wrap.

They’ll keep for 3-5 days longer than usual, which is especially helpful if you eat organic bananas. Bananas also produce more ethelyne gas than any other fruit, so keep them isolated on the counter.

 Wrap the crown of a bunch of bananas with plastic wrap.

Source: snapguide.com

18. This trick using a paper towel will keep your salad lettuce fresh all week long.

The paper towel will absorb the moisture. Get more info here.
Also, you might want to invest in a salad spinner. It’ll get rid of moisture, which is the culprit of wilting leaves.

This trick using a paper towel will keep your salad lettuce fresh all week long.

Source: img.gawkerassets.com

19. Wrap celery, broccoli, and lettuce in tin foil before storing in the fridge.

It’ll stay crisp for 4 weeks or more.

Wrap celery, broccoli, and lettuce in tin foil before storing in the fridge.

Source: preparetodaywardnewsletter.blogspot.com

20. Mason jars are your friend.

They provide a healthier and longer-lasting alternative to plastic tupperware, which deteriorates and stains easily. Produce will keep a few days longer if stored in a jar.

 Mason jars are your friend.

Source: easyst2.blogspot.com

21. Clean your fridge.

Clean your fridge.

 Once something goes bad in your fridge or cupboards, it leaves behind a nice gang of mold ready to eat up your new food. Disinfect the fridge — it’ll make everything last a little longer.

Source: google.com

22. How to store tomatoes:

 How to store tomatoes:

 Don’t store tomatoes in plastic bags! The trapped ethylene will make them ripen faster.                       Unripe tomatoes should be kept stem side down, in a paper bag or single layer in a cardboard box in a cool area until they turn red in color. To ripen faster, store with fruit. The gases emitted will help ripen the tomatoes.

Perfectly ripe tomatoes should be kept at room temperature, on the counter away from sunlight, in a single layer, not touching one another, stem side up.                                                           Overly ripe tomatoes should be put in the fridge, but let them come to room temperature before eating them.

Source: yumsugar.com

23. Reuse plastic bottles to close up your plastic bags.

Reuse plastic bottles to close up your plastic bags.

 Make sure your produce is absolutely dry before putting the cap on. Source: media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com

24. Keep ginger in the freezer.

 Keep ginger in the freezer.

 It grates much more easily, and the peel grates up so fine that you don’t actually need to peel it. Plus it lasts way longer.

Source: lowcarbdiets.about.com

25. Roast nuts as soon as you get home from the store, then store them in the freezer.

Roast nuts as soon as you get home from the store, then store them in the freezer.

 Nuts that are roasted have more flavor, keep longer, and can always be used in recipes that call for nuts, roasted or otherwise. Spread them in a single layer on a sheet pan, bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant. Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com

26. Keep mushrooms in a paper bag, not a plastic bag.

 Keep mushrooms in a paper bag, not a plastic bag.

 A plastic bag will trap moisture and cause them to mildew. Put them in a paper bag in the fridge or in a cool, dry place.

Source: 123rf.com

27. Follow this handy guide on what to store on the counter, and what to put away in the fridge.

Carlsberg Where’s The Party 2013

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The suspense was over. The day of one of Malaysia’s most anticipated party series had arrived and arrive it did bigger and bolder than before. Carlsberg threw another sweetener into the epic party this year by giving away 10 exclusive invites to the global Carlsberg Where’s the Party? that will be happening in Europe this August with none other than Axwell, formerly of Swedish House Mafia.

registration

Clueless about the venue till they arrived, WTP 2013 took off in a cavernous hall at one of the country’s largest exhibition parks, which was transformed into a ‘jet-set’ venue complete with a rare Antonov airplane forming part of the backdrop. This year’s party was more than double the scale of last year, with the biggest turnout ever of 3,000 party goers from Malaysia and Singapore, and the breadth and depth of entertainment, stage and thematic set-up second to none. Carlsberg’s iconic WTP is for the bold who step up to earn an exclusive, money-can’t-buy invitation to a party where anything could happen.

At the party zone, Carlsberg fans were in for a mega night of visual and audio extravaganza, complete with pulsating beats, sizzling acts and ice cold Carlsberg beer, all orchestrated in a uniquely Carlsberg WTP style.

partytime

To kick off the party, new Carlsberg Malaysia managing director Henrik Andersen and Carlsberg Singapore managing director John Botia made a fitting appearance at the press conference when they alighted from the Antonov, accompanied by a bevy of brand ambassadors, dressed as air stewardesses.

medialaunch

Andersen said, “Air travel is our theme this year as we’re flying lucky Malaysians to Europe for our global party, we needed a massive place that would fit the plane and the huge crowd. This WTP is also about taking partygoers to new heights and it looks like we have set a new benchmark in the local party scene by creating another epic sensorial event.”

“For the first time in the history of WTP, Malaysians will be treated to the global WTP experience, where 22 nations will come together. Consumers bold enough to step up to the challenge will be justly rewarded with entry to this epic European party experience.”

With Malaysia’s very own stand-up comedian Douglas Lim opening the night and Swedish Dub House duo Cazzette headlining, WTP 2013 was a heady non-stop mix of international artistes and local heroes. Celebrity hosts Joey G and Patricia K made sure partygoers did not have a dull moment.

featuredstars

The night flowed with performers Nine Lives, Joel Turner, 3AM in the Valley and Big Skrptz from Australia, Korean Pop sensation Sweety, DJ Inquisitive, Miss Nine who hails from Germany, DJs Clazz and Ming Ming taking their turn on stage to give the crowd an inimitable blend of edgy dance music that kept them going till the wee hours.featuredstars2

featuredstars3 

This year also saw the first Carlsberg party mobile site introduced, making WTP 2013 the most socially savvy party around! Party goers just couldn’t help but flock to the ‘Be Bold’ mobile site to connect and meet new people, snap photos and take part in challenges that could win them passes to the global WTP. The ‘Be Bold’ Challenges were very well-liked and hundreds of uploads were displayed at the giant screen.

P1070075

Others who prefer to chill and relax were kept entertained with party games that included the Loud Ludo, Marshall Matters, No-Sight Flight, Turbalance, Safety Slides and i-Darts.

games

WTP 2013 is again an epic one with multi faceted sensations. Whilst partying and dancing hard, party-goers were advised to drink in moderation and get their breath alcohol content tested. Over a hundred taxis were on standby to send consumers home.

P1070063

The only question remaining now is ‘Where’s the party’ in 2014, Carlsberg?

 About Carlsberg Where’s The Party

Carlsberg Where’s the Party is a brand building and engagement platform to reach out to consumers aged 18 to 29 years old with an explorer mindset. The WTP premise is to inspire consumers to be bold and step up to the unknown – unknown location, unknown entertainment, where anything can happen. The first installment was held in June 2011 in conjunction with the global brand repositioning of Carlsberg. The second one was held in December 2011 whilst the third one was the first 3 Nation 1 Epic Party, held in Nov 2012. The event has since evolved into one of the most anticipated and talked-about party of the Malaysian youth’s social calendar. For more info, check out facebook/Carlsberg.

Source: Carlsberg Malaysia

5 Natural Ways to Avoid Hangovers

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Sometimes we drink to loosen up, become more sociable where we might otherwise hold back, and make many events more entertaining and enjoyable. Unfortunately it does not take much for many of us to feel the detrimental effects alcohol can have on our system the next day, such as headaches, nausea, stomachaches, tiredness, etc.

There are some natural and easy ways to help alleviate the negative effects of a bad hangover without sacrificing a night out:

1) Before you go to sleep, and after you finish drinking alcohol, drink a sports drink or a liquid with mostly water and electrolytes, Gatorade will do. Alcohol dehydrates your body, so you want to up your fluid intake before, during, and after consuming alcohol.
Eat something. When we drink, our body sometimes gets depleted of the necessary nutrients and essential minerals like vitamins B & C. Eat foods to get these back. Fruit is a great solution.

5 Natural Ways to Avoid Hangovers

By eating something easily digestible that is healthy, we can help regain essential amino acids that have been lost. Try eating something like yogurt, bread, or crackers to help calm your stomach.

2) Avoid certain drinks, like drinks that hide the taste of alcohol. You may end up drinking too fast and too much. Certain types of alcohol can actually increase your chance of getting a hangover, so avoid them if possible.

3) Do not mix different types of alcohol because your body takes longer to individualize and metabolize the different types. Some say additives make a hangover worse, avoid carbonated drinks because they might speed up the absorption of alcohol.

4) Take a vitamin supplement, many experts recommend taking a B-complex vitamin with vitamin C before and after you drink alcohol. A deficiency in vitamin B-1 makes it harder for your body to break down the alcohol, so taking the vitamin could help boost B-1 levels easing alcohol absorption.

5) Finally, sleep it off, your body will thank you in the morning. After you have rehydrated your body with water and had a small snack, crawl into bed and let your body rest and detoxify itself.

15 Benefits of Baking Soda

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Baking soda is a commonly available mineral full of many cleaning attributes, it is one items no home should be without. It has a surprising number of things you can use it for, here are the top 10 uses of baking soda:

baking-soda

Baking soda is made from soda ash, and is slightly alkaline and neutralizes acid-based odors in water, and absorbs odors from the air.

  • Drain cleaner: Pour one cup down the drain followed by three cups of boiling water.
  • Use it as an antacid.
  • Chemical smells out of clothes: Soak clothes for two to three hours or overnight, in one cup of baking soda.
  • Use it as underarm deodorant by applying it with a powder puff.
  • Agitate the machine occasionally. Repeat if necessary. Wash as usual. (This method is great for removing the new smell out of clothes)
  • Mix half a teaspoon with peroxide into a paste and use it as toothpaste.
  • Dog odors and urine: Sprinkle with baking soda. Let set for a few hours before sweeping up
  • Use it as a face and body scrub.
  • Silver polish: Make a paste of baking soda and water, scoop some onto a clean, soft rag, and polish the silver. Rinse and polish dry.
  • Add a cup to bathwater to soften your skin.
  • Soft scrubber: Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl and add enough liquid soap or detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop onto a sponge and clean the bathtub or tiles. Rinse.
  • Relieve skin itch from insect bites and pain from sunburn: Put two tablespoons in your baby’s bathwater to help relieve diaper rash.
  • Scouring powder: Simply sprinkle baking soda into a sink and scrub.
  • Apply it on rashes, insect bites, and p>oison ivy irritations.
  • Oven cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Squirt with enough water that the baking soda is damp. Let set overnight, making sure the baking soda is damp before you go to bed. In the morning, simply scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge.

Oven baked Zucchini Chips

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These oven-baked zucchini chips make a healthy substitute for French fries or potato chips, and they taste as good as their deep-fried brethren with only a fraction of the fat and calories..
zucchini chips

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fat-free milk
2 1/2 cups (1/4-inch-thick) slices zucchini (about 2 small)

COOKING DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425°.
Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Place milk in a shallow bowl.
Dip zucchini slices in milk, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture.
Place coated slices on an ovenproof wire rack coated with cooking spray; place rack on a baking sheet.
Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until browned and crisp.

breadcrumbs

You can also prepare dips by trying out these lovely salad dressings recipes too!

The GOOD vs THE BAD of Carbohydrates

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Carbs

Carbs

Carbs have been converted into a complicated subject, since what many think about when the word carbohydrates comes up, are bread, rice and pasta, and they make you fat, that’s it! Carbs are much more than that, and they are actually divided in two groups, the bad ones, or simple carbohydrates, which in fact include white bread, rice and pasta, but also candy and desserts, cookies, sodas and sugary juices, and any refined or processed product, and yes, they will fatten you, because they are small particles of sugar and empty calories that do not provide any nutrient nor mineral to your body and have a high glycemic index, which is not good for you in any way. Continue reading →

Berry Patchwork Tart

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tart

Makes: 12 servings
Prep 20 mins
Chill 2 hrs
Bake 12 mins 
Oven 375°

INGREDIENTS

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 18 ounce refrigerated crescent dough
  • 1/2cup honey
  • 1/3cup water
  • 1/4cup loosely packed mint or basil leaves
  • 2/3cup mascarpone or cream cheese, softened
  • 2tablespoons honey
  • 3/4cup whipping cream
  • 6cups berries (red and/or golden raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and halved or sliced small strawberries), not mixed together.
COOKING DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with heavy foil, extending foil beyond pan edges. Lightly coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. Press dough evenly into bottom of pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden. Cool on a wire rack.2.Meanwhile, for syrup, in a small saucepan combine the 1/2 cup honey, the water, and mint or basil. Bring to boiling. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand to cool. Strain syrup, discarding herbs. Set aside.3.For cheese layer, in a medium bowl stir together mascarpone and 2 Tbsp. honey. (If using cream cheese, beat until smooth, then beat in honey.) In a chilled mixing bowl beat whipping cream to soft peaks; gradually stir into cheese. Spread cheese layer on crust. Use a knife tip to mark two lengthwise lines and three crosswise lines for form 12 squares.

4.In separate bowls toss berries with about 1 Tbsp. syrup for each cup of berries. Spoon about 1/2 cup berries in each square. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Drizzle with remaining syrup, if desired.

5.Lifting foil edges, transfer tart from pan to serving platter. Serve immediately or chill up to 4 hours. Tart is best when served the same day it is prepared.

Chettinad Chicken Masala / Chicken Dry Curry

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INGREDIENTS

(Serves 4 people)

  1. Chicken – 500 grams (chopped into big cubes)
  2. Shallots / Pearl onions – 75 grams (5 onions)
  3. Ginger – 1 inch long piece
  4. Garlic pods – 1
  5. Dry red chillies – 6 to 8
  6. Cumin seeds – 3/4 spoon
  7. Coriander seeds – 1 spoon
  8. Fennel seeds – 1 spoon
  9. Peppercorns – 1/4 spoon
  10. Salt – As per taste
  11. Oil – 5 spoon (Gingelly oil preferred)
  12. Coriander leaves & Curry leaves – Few for garnishing (Optional)

PREPARATION METHOD

  • Wash chicken pieces well in water and keep them aside.
  • Heat a pan or wok and dry roast the following ingredients very slightly until you get a pleasant aroma. Take care not to over roast them or burn them.
(For Masala Powder)
1. Dry red chillies – 6 to 8
2. Cumin seeds – 3/4 spoon
3. Coriander seeds – 1 spoon
4. Fennel seeds – 1 spoon
5. Peppercorns – 1/4 spoon
  • After the dry roasted ingredients cools down and reaches room temperature, add them to a blender make a fine masala powder out of them and set aside. This is the authentic Chettinad chicken masala powder. You will get nearly 2.5 spoons of this masala powder.
  • Peel onions put them in a blender and make a coarse paste out of it and set aside.
  • Also make ginger-garlic paste and set aside.
  • Now heat a pan, add oil and after it heats up add the coarsely ground onions and saute until the raw smell goes.
  • Then add the ginger garlic paste and saute for a few minutes.
  • Now add the chicken pieces and saute well for 5 minutes.
  • Now add the prepared masala powder and stir well.
  • After 2 minutes pour 1 cup of water, required salt and stir well. Cook on low flame.
  • Close the pan with a lid and cook until the chicken gets cooked well. Sprinkle water if necessary and stir occasionally so that the chicken does not get burnt. Please cook on low flame.
  • When water evaporates and chicken seems well cooked remove from flame and serve.
  • Garnish with coriander and curry leaves if you wish.

TIPS

TIP 1: The masala powder used here can be used to make other chicken curries too. You can prepare it in larger quantities and store them for future use. While preparing this spice powder please be careful not to over-roast or burn the spices. Just a mild roasting will do.
TIP 2: Use freshly prepared ginger-garlic paste for better flavor.
TIP 3: You can also prepare this using a pressure cooker, after adding a cup of water close the pressure cooker with the lid and pressure cook for 10 minutes on low flame. But the pan method will be the best.
TIP 4: If you want a semi-gravy consistency pour another cup of water and cook until the oil starts to peep out of the gravy.

Source: http://www.youtoocancook.net

SUBLIME STRAWBERRY POPSICLES

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 sublime-strawberry-popsicle

INGREDIENTS
2 pounds ripe strawberries, washed, hulled and halved
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
COOKING DIRECTIONS
Place strawberries in a medium bowl.  Add sugar.  Toss to coat.  Allow berries to macerate for about 30 minutes.  Once you see juice in the bowl you can move on to the next step.Add strawberries and lemon juice to food processor.  Blend until strawberries are pureed.  Add to popsicle molds.  Freeze for 4-24 hours.Keep popsicles fresh by wrapping in plastic wrap and storing them in a freezer bag.

Recipe from http://TheSlowRoastedItalian.com/