Freeze herb tubes for extended use
Dear Heloise: Wonderful fresh herbs are now available pulverized into a cream and in a tube similar to a toothpaste tube. They usually are in the refrigerated section of the store. The price is fine if you use a lot of the herb, but expensive if you use it occasionally, as it has an expiration date.
Once I open and use what I want, I press it out of the tube and into a zipper-top plastic bag (Heloise here: freezer type). I then flatten the herbs to take up all of the space in the bag, get the air out and freeze.
When I need more, I get it out of the freezer, break off what I need and put the rest back. It doesn’t lose flavor or color, and no more expiration date to worry about. — Sheri N., Laguna Woods, Calif.
The tube can be frozen, so put the cap on tightly, then put the tube into a freezer bag and into the freezer. Take out, let thaw, use what’s needed, then back into the freezer. No waste, and a lot of flavor! — Heloise
Food safety
Dear Heloise: Store-bought pie crusts, such as graham cracker or chocolate cookie, have the handy plastic lid that you invert after the pie is made.
It is important to wash and dry the lid before putting it on the finished pie, though. The side that is now next to the pie was on the outside when purchased. Who knows who or what might have touched it before you bought it? — Rita E., via email
Sugar scoop
Dear Heloise: Someone wrote about putting brown sugar in the freezer. Putting it in a gallon, zipper-top plastic bag and folding to get the air out will keep it fresh longer. The best part — and my baker friends agree — is that when you have to measure a firm cup, put the cup in the bag, scoop up the sugar and press it against the side. No mess or spills on the counter. — Charlotte C., The Villages, Fla.
Charlotte, I concur with your friends. Why make a mess when you don’t have to? — Heloise
Leftovers list
Dear Heloise: Our family is busy, and dinner happens together some nights, and other nights I have leftovers for whenever anyone comes home to eat. Because the refrigerator gets so full of containers, less of the food is noticed and eaten.
I have a running list on the door of the refrigerator and list the meals that are left over. As each item is finished, we cross it off. So helpful in choosing what to eat and finding it. — Maria F., Foothill Ranch, Calif.
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000.