Fine to chop and freeze
Dear Heloise: I just finished finely CHOPPING ONIONS for food I was preparing. Could I chop some in advance, place in a plastic freezer bag and store it in the freezer for future use?
How about doing the same with garlic? — Ernst G., via email
Yes to freezing both of these items! After chopping, wrap tightly in plastic wrap or a plastic freezer bag. Just be sure you will be adding the onions or garlic to something you are cooking in the future. After these foods have been frozen, the texture changes, so you don’t want to use them raw after freezing. — Heloise
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Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX 78279-5000
Fax: 210-HELOISE
Email: Heloise@Heloise.com
FOOD DEMONSTRATIONS
Dear Heloise: Many grocery stores have people they pay to demonstrate food items. There are some problems with this, so some of us in the industry have hints to help out:
n These foods are samples, not snacks.
n Do not allow your kids to roam the store in search of these samples, and be aware that many stores do not let kids have samples unless parents are present.
n Always ask what the food is first. Do not eat the food and then ask, “What is it?” and then tell the demo person that you are allergic.
n Do not touch something and then put it back.
Thank you for helping to educate the public. — Food Demonstrators in the Midwest
These samples are a great way to try new foods, and these are some good rules for all to remember before approaching a demonstration. — Heloise
SAVING GRAPES
Dear Heloise: I have two young kids who enjoy grapes as a healthy snack (me too). We like to buy them in bulk, but have the problem of them shriveling up and drying out in the refrigerator if not eaten right away.
To counter that, I simply pluck them off the stem and then store them in a bowl, covered with water. It keeps them hydrated so they last lots of extra days, and it doubles as a great way to wash them off, too. — Paul M., via email
This is the same storage method many readers use for keeping celery and carrots lasting longer. However, experts state that grapes are to be stored, unwashed, in the refrigerator, loosely wrapped in paper towels or a plastic bag. — Heloise
CONVENIENT CHICKEN
Dear Heloise: Rotisserie chickens are very convenient and can be used in many ways. I buy two and chill them in the refrigerator for a few hours to cool them off. It is very easy, at this point, to rip the carcass in half with your hands or a knife, and cut off the meat for use in future meals. I wrap enough for one meal in a foil packet and stack these packets in a large, freezable container. You can then take out one packet at a time, while keeping the rest frozen. — Rose R. in Florida