These informative food hacks will help you prevent waste in the kitchen.

Dried herbs in the microwave 
This hack is perfect for using up herbs that would otherwise go off or get thrown away. Wash and pat the herbs dry, then arrange them in a single layer on a piece of a paper towel. Place in the microwave and heat for 20 seconds at a time. Take note that different herbs contain different amounts of water and some, such as sage, also contain essential oils so will require longer microwaving before they are fully dried out. Therefore, it’s best to microwave one kind of herb at a time. Once dried, crumble or chop them up into the desired sizes and place them in a labelled bag or container.

How to prevent slimy mushrooms 
Like herbs, mushrooms are mostly water too and are able to soak up moisture from the air around them. To prevent your mushrooms from going slimy, place them, unwashed, in an open-ended brown paper bag. The paper bag is perfect for absorbing any excess moisture given off by the mushrooms, and the open bag lets them breathe. Try to use mushrooms as soon as possible after buying them.

How to store avocado and prevent them from going brown
So you’ve used half an avocado and are ready to store it for a sneaky guacamole snack later on, but you’re worried it will become brown, right? Fear not – although avocados  will brown to some extent, a trick to keep them greener for longer is by using the un-pitted half first and leaving the remaining half with the pit still connected to the flesh. This conceals the flesh from the air. Brush the remaining exposed flesh with some lemon juice and wrap tightly in cling wrap. 

How to prevent soggy rice
It’s important to remove any extra starch from the rice grains before cooking, otherwise your rice will become mushy and stick together. Place the uncooked rice grains in a fine-mesh sieve and run under cold water until the stream turns clear. Shake off and place in a pot to continue cooking.

Bringing stale bread back to life
This hack goes against our initial instincts, but hear us out; the solution to stale bread is to run it under water. Preheat your oven to 160C. Hold your loaf steady as you run a tap over the outside for a few seconds to lightly soak the surface, turning to coat the bottom of the bread too. Pop the loaf in the oven for 5–10 minutes, checking regularly, and you’ll find a deliciously crisp, revived loaf ready for slicing.

How to revive limp vegetables
If you’re looking to make a deliciously fresh salad, but find your veggies to be sub-par, a simple trick to freshen up vegetables is to place them in a bowl of ice water. Add a handful of ice to a suitably sized bowl and fill midway with water. Add your veggies and let them sit for 10–20 minutes. 

Want to cook a curry at home, but don’t know where to start? Here’s our guide to essential curry spices that will help you understand how the flavours work.

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Yoghurt, the unsung hero is healthy, keeps for ages and you probably have some in your fridge.

By Lauren Shapiro

1. Mac-cheats

Mix plain yoghurt with cooked pasta and grated cheese, then microwave it until hot. Quicker and healthier you won’t find!

2. Cool down curry

Stir plain yoghurt through curry if you can’t handle the heat. You could also add finely chopped cucumber, radish and mint to make a raita.

3. NIce lollies

Poke popsicle sticks through the foil tops of mini yoghurt pots, then freeze.

4. create a quiche

Combine with eggs and some cooked veggies for a creamy, yet healthy quiche filling.

5. Aid an upset tummy

The bacteria in live-cultured yoghurt act as natural probiotics, strengthening your digestive system.

6. Dessert queen

A dollop complements any sweet dish. Even the full-fat varieties contain less fat than actual cream does.

7. Soothe the burn

Use it as a cool, creamy, natural balm to relieve the painful effects of sun exposure.

8. Fancy dressing

Sub it in as a base for ranch or Thousand Island dressing. It works really well as a mayo replacement in spud salads too.

The post 8 things you never knew yoghurt could do appeared first on MyKitchen.

We are all about reducing as much waste as possible, and we have rounded up a few ways to ensure you are using your teabags to their full potential. There is no reason to chuck them away right after you have finished brewing your cuppa, especially since a used teabag contains a host of antioxidants and tannins.

By Roxy Greeff

1. FLAVOUR PASTA AND GRAINS

Bring a pot of water to the boil and pop in a few used teabags. Allow to boil for a few minutes before removing the bag and adding your pasta and grains. This is especially delicious with camomile and jasmine tea.

2. FEED YOUR GARDEN

Brew some weak tea and allow to cool. Use this to water your plants for a nutrient boost and to deter fungal infections. Alternatively sprinkle the damp tea leaves around the base of your plants to compost them and keep pests like mice away.

3. GET RID OF HOUSEHOLD SMELLS

Brewed teabags can be popped in a corner of the fridge and in the bottom of your dustbin to keep them smelling fresh. Just remember to change them regularly. You can also mix the damp leaves into your new batch of kitty litter to banish bad odours.

4. DIY AIR FRESHENER

Set your used teabags out in the sun to dry out. Then add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. The leaves are super absorbent and most bags already have a string attached. Secret them in all the rooms in your home.

5. SCOUR DIRTY DISHES

Pop your greasy pots, pans and grids in a sink of hot water with a few used teabags. The tea will help to loosen grease, saving you the trouble of scrubbing.

6. TAKE A BATH

As we all know, tea is full of antioxidants, and so taking a bath with a few of them will do wonders for your skin. You can either just drop them into the warm water or hang one from the tap and let the water run through it as you fill your bath.

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Modern life is all about the rush of work, family, friends – and social media! Here is our selection of handy tips from our favourite foodie Instagram accounts. These nifty hacks will make things a little easier in the kitchen.

By Jana du Plessis

1. Fast Food
@doyoubake

This cooking hack allows you to shred chicken in mere seconds! Simply place a warm, cooked chicken breast in your food processor, pulse for a few seconds and you have finely shredded chicken in a jiffy! Use your shredded chicken in pies, Mexican burrito’s or tossed in a salad.

2. Roll with it!
@chefalaine

To get the most from a lemon’s juice, roll the lemon on your countertop. The pressure from the palm of your hand will gently burst the juicy cells inside. You’ll get all that tangy juice without heavy squeezing. The best way to add some zing and brightness to a dish is with a drizzle of lemon juice – think gaucamole, grilled fish or citrus pancakes!

3. Herby Hack
@maharajawhiteline

Place your leftover fresh herbs in a jar and submerge their stems in water. This nifty trick will keep your herbs crisp and green for longer. Use basil for pesto, mint leaves for smoothies and rosemary for a hearty roast!

4. Freeze focus
@localrootsnyc

Enjoy your favourite summer produce – in winter! Freeze your leftover fruits and veggies in ziplock bags. Add frozen berries to winter desserts or your morning bowl of oats and frozen corn adds a bursts of sweetness in a warming stew.

The post 4 quick and easy hacks to steal from Instagram appeared first on MyKitchen.