No one likes wasting fresh produce, but did you know the way you store your fruits and veggies can make all the difference? Here’s how to store these fresh and ripe fruit so they can last longer.  

Apples  

Whether you love a crisp Granny Smith or lean more towards a sweet Honeycrisp, you’ll find apples all year round, but it’s more prominently an in-season autumn fruit. According to Ken Wortz, the head distiller for Sauvage Distillery New York, apples should be stored in a cool, dry place. If you keep them on the counter, they will last about one week. But if you want to store them long-term, keeping them cool in the fridge will be the better, more reliable option. “They can last six to eight weeks stored in a refrigerator,” says Ken. 

Oranges  

Oranges are winter fruit – and just in time to give us that extra vitamin C boost when the cold and flu season is at its peak. They should be stored in a cool, dry place like the fridge, but it is quite picky when it comes to which fruit it can be stored with. Oranges emit a small amount of ethylene gas, so they shouldn’t come into contact with apples and bananas. They can, however, be stored with other citrus fruits.   

Pro tip: Looking to eat an orange that’s been in the fridge? “Like a fine red wine, if you’re keeping your oranges in the fridge, ideally, you would pull them out about an hour before you want to eat them,” says Riley Davies, produce category manager at Misfits Market, an online grocery store. She adds that the flavour will be more intense when the orange has slightly warmed up.

Lemons 

From slicing them into a warm cup of tea to using them in delicious zesty desserts – this citrus fruit is always handy to have at home. But how do it keep them fresh? “You can keep them on the counter but they won’t last as long and will start to dry out,” says Anina von Haeften, co-founder of the food delivery service Farm to People. “On the counter, they will last about a week, and in the fridge, they can last up to a month.” She advises that you pop the whole lemons into a sealed, airtight container first and store them as is to keep them juicy. 

Image: Pexels 

The post How to store these 3 fruits to keep them fresher for longer  appeared first on MyKitchen.

It only takes a few fresh ingredients to whip up a delicious seasonal meal! This chicken in Italian tomato sauce is an international favourite we can’t get enough of!

SERVES 4-6 // COOKING TIME 1 hour 15 min

INGREDIENTS
For the chicken
4 tbsp flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
8 chicken pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
For the tomato sauce
1 onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, crushed
2 rosemary sprigs
1 yellow pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
150 ml white wine
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tsp dried origanum
1 red chilli, seeded and chopped

METHOD
For the chicken
1. Mix the flour with the salt and pepper. Toss the chicken through the seasoned flour until evenly coated.
2. Heat a large pot over medium-high and add the olive oil and butter. Once bubbling, add the chicken and brown on all sides, about 6 minutes.
3. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to rest.
For the tomato sauce
1. Heat some olive oil in the same pot and gently fry the onion until lightly browned. Then add the garlic, rosemary, yellow and red peppers, carrots and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes, until slightly softened.
2. Add the wine and allow to simmer for 5 minutes, until slightly reduced.
3. Add the tomatoes, origanum, chilli and chicken pieces. Cover and allow to cook over low heat for 45 minutes, until the chicken is falling off the bone.
To serve
1. Stir through the olives, transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley.

Recipe & styling: Kate Turner
Photography: K-Leigh Siebriz // HMimages.co.za

With summer here, get even more seasonal recipes! Try these 6 delicious in season fruits and veggies with recipes.

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Apart from enjoying the outdoors and all the fun in the sun, summer is also a favourite season for its abundance of delicious in season fruits and veggies. Sweet tropical fruits are available for bakes and puddings, and there is a whole range of veggies to enjoy too in cool and tasty dishes.

By Taryn Wilson

Living in South Africa, we are fortunate to have a summer that brings us a wide array of ingredients to go absolutely mal over in the kitchen. Have a look at these 6 yummy summer fruits and vegetables, plus fun recipes to try with them.

FRUIT

Figs

They may be small, but figs pack loads of sweet flavour that works in both sweet and savoury recipes. Whether on pizza or with some ice cream, they add a naturally sugary taste that can be complemented by many flavours.
Try it: Chia fig parfaits

Bananas

Being one of the most versatile fruits, bananas are perfect for any meal, especially brekkies. They make a great filler ingredient while adding sweetness and subtle flavour.
Try it: Banana bread French toast

Pineapples

If there was ever a fruit to represent summer and tropical vibes, it’s pineapple! Similarly to figs, pineapples can be used in sweet or savoury dishes for their incredible flavour. They’re also delicious to enjoy on their own or in a fruit salad.
Try it: Ginger and pineapple bake

VEGETABLES

Brinjals

One of our favourites, brinjals make the best veggie for whole and hearty meals, but you can also incorporate them into salads and unique dishes fit for summer.
Try it: Moroccan meatballs with chargrilled brinjals

Baby marrow

Baby marrows have been around forever but have started becoming a more popular veggie option for those looking for healthier alternatives. Zucchini noodles (zoodles) and baby marrow fries are big favourites in restaurants and kitchens, and they also happen to be super yummy!
Try it: Zoodle and quinoa caprese salad jar

Beetroot

Beetroot not only adds stunning colour to your meal, but it’s also nutritious and sweet, making it perfect for mixing with yummy summer flavours.
Try it: Chicken and beetroot bowls

The post 6 delicious in season fruits and veggies, plus recipes! appeared first on MyKitchen.

During the winter months in South Africa, we see our fruits disappear and we prepare for an overload of comfort food and soups. But this doesn’t mean we should steer away from the fruit section at the grocery store. The winter fruits there are still in abundance, trust us!

By Taryn Wilson

Get those healthy helpings by taking a look at the current in-season fruits, as well as some yummy water infusions to keep you hydrated this winter.

WHAT’S IN SEASON THIS WINTER?

– Apples
– Cucumber
– Grapefruit
– Lemons
– Limes
– Melons
– Naartjies
– Oranges
– Pawpaws

OUR FAVOURITE WINTER-FUSIONS

1. Watermelon and mint water

INGREDIENTS
4 cups of watermelon, cut into cubes
6 sprigs mint
2 L still water

METHOD
1. Place watermelon and mint into a jug.
2. Add water and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
3. When ready, stir the water and strain, discarding the solid pieces.
4. To serve, add some fresh watermelon and mint into the water with lots of ice.

2. Orange, lemon and cucumber water

INGREDIENTS
1.5 – 2 L still water
1 large cucumber, washed and sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 large orange, sliced

METHOD
1. Fill a jug with the still water.
2. Add the cucumber, lemon and orange and stir well.
3. Allow to infuse overnight in the fridge.

3. Rosemary and grapefruit

INGREDIENTS
½ grapefruit, sliced
6 sprigs rosemary
1 L still water

METHOD
1. Add the grapefruit and rosemary to a jug.
2. Add the water and stir.
3. Allow to infuse in the fridge overnight.

4. Mojito water

INGREDIENTS
2 L still water
3 lemons, 2 sliced and 1 juiced
6 sprigs mint
Ice

METHOD
1. Add water, lemons, lemon juice and mint to a jug.
2. Stir and allow to infuse in the fridge for 2-4 hours.
3. Add ice and serve.

5. Pear vanilla water

INGREDIENTS
1 pear, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
½ vanilla bean
1 L still water

METHOD
1. Place pear, cinnamon and vanilla bean into a jug.
2. Add the water and stir.
3. Refrigerate for at least an hour before use.

6. Apple cinnamon water

INGREDIENTS
1 apple, thinly sliced
1 cinnamon stick
500 ml still water
1 tsp honey
Ice

METHOD
1. Place apple and cinnamon in a jug.
2. Add the water and honey, then stir together.
3. Place in the fridge for at least an hour.
4. Fill the rest of the jug with ice and serve.

Image: Unsplash

The post Winter fruits and water infusions you can make with them appeared first on MyKitchen.

If you’re struggling to hang on to your New Year’s resolutions, let the heat of summer serve as some extra motivation. As it gets too hot to cook with heat-excreting appliances, take to the fridge with its fresh and cooling seasonal produce. Here’s how to bump up flavour and nutrition with simple, sneaky steps.

By Jana du Plessis

In plain sight

They say the best way to hide something is to leave it in plain sight. And we agree! Try to add fresh foods without it being obvious, like cooling cucumber in an Indian raita or Greek tzatziki. It’s easy to whip up and tastes delicious!

A sensory experience

Think about the texture of your meals to see if something fresh could add to the eating experience. Crunchy lettuce and a juicy tomato is always welcome on a homemade burger, just like adding salad ingredients to a wrap gives it more flavour varieties.

On a limb

Use fresh ingredients in ways that you haven’t before. Have you tried lettuce cups filled with spiced meat? Or paired a cooked dish with a vibrant uncooked garnish? The kitchen awaits, start experimenting!

The post The fresher the better! How to incorporate more fresh ingredients into your diet appeared first on MyKitchen.

Living a vegan lifestyle can be challenging at times, especially when the budget is tight. But no need to worry, we’re here to help you make smart choices that will benefit your body AND your pocket. Try to fit in as many of these nutrient-packed foods as possible, and you’re good to go!

Fruits and veggies:
Banana
Carrot
Celery
Kale
Onion
Orange
Pear
Plum
Sweet potato
Watermelon
Broccoli

Grains:
Oatmeal
Pasta
Buckwheat
Rice

Proteins:
Chickpeas
Lentils
Peanut butter
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Black beans
Soy milk

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