Healthy Kitchen Hacks #6 - The Green Edition
Healthy Kitchen Hacks is a weekly series on Teaspoon of Spice. We share fellow bloggers' and our own favorite cooking shortcuts, kitchen tricks and "aha" ideas for making healthy meals a snap.
Welcome to this week's Healthy Kitchen Hacks, which I'm (Deanna) calling the green version as spring is coming this month (along with spring weather, right?? please oh please)....and not a second too soon.
Here are some of my favorite tips on using all the green edibles that will be popping up in farmers' markets and gardens soon:
1) How To Keep Lettuce Crisp Longer
via Evelyn @My Turn For Us
I think picked up this trick back in the day from Rachael Ray's show 30 Minute Meals. Evelyn, who blogs at My Turn For Us, has a nice picture step-by-step on keeping lettuce crisp for up to 3 weeks in the fridge.
2) The Fastest Way to Cut Leafy Greens for Cooking
via Life Hacker & America's Test Kitchen
This quick video shows a great shortcut for chopping greens, especially ones with tough stems like collards and tougher versions of kale. And if you need some recipe inspiration when you're done chopping, here are the two recipes I make almost weekly with my hearty greens: Asian Style Winter Greens and Cheesy Broccoli Greens Soup.
3) How to Keep Asparagus Fresh Longer
via Alicia @Urban Strawberries
Asparagus season will be here soon (hooray!) and Alicia of Urban Strawberries gives instructions with photos on how she keeps asparagus fresh for up to 2 weeks in her refrigerator. Then go check out Serena's Coconut Ginger Braised Asparagus (you won't regret it.)
4) What To Do With Leftover Fresh Herbs
A green thumb I am not (I honestly cannot even keep mint alive), so I do buy a lot of fresh herbs from the store/farmers' market but always have lots left over that often sometimes are forgotten and then wasted. Tips on how to avoid herb waste:
Dry Them - I do this with thyme and just stick it in an empty glass - it dries easily this way. Gabrielle @Design Mom has all the details on drying all different types of herbs.
Freeze In Ice Cube Trays - I haven't try this yet but I've seen it done with water, wine or olive oil as Michaela @The Gardener's Eden does.
Blend Into Smoothies - I still can't get on the spinach/kale/hearty greens smoothie band wagon (blech) but I loved this Tropical Cilantro Smoothie (pineapple, banana, orange juice) from The Kitchn. And speaking of herbs in smoothies....
5) How to Make an All Natural Shamrock Shake
via Sara @The Organic Dietitian
Now, admittedly I haven't tried this yet but Sara's healthier version of the Shamrock Shake drew me in with her gorgeous photos and simple ingredients including fresh mint. Maybe St. Patty's Day will be the day I finally drink some spinach.
(Bonus green tip ---> Serena's recent post on 7 Easy Ways To Enjoy Leftover Cabbage.)
Would you try any of these hacks? Any green tips to share?
Loving all these green hacks! I definitely need to start freezing my herbs- such a smart idea.
I just tried the olive oil herb one - and now I have a big baggie of frozen herbs -I just have to remember they're in the freezer!
I have some dill about to start rotting away in my fridge now- can't wait to save it and freeze it in some olive oil- thanks for sharing, I've always wondered how to do that!
Whoot - "save the dill" operation in action 🙂 I ALWAYS have an herb starting to rot in the back of my fridge and the freezing trick is gonna save a lot of herbs in my house for sure.
I usually end up making a pesto or chimichurri with my leftover herbs (good for using up greens that are close to going bad too) and then freezing the sauce... always wanted to try freezing them individually though!
YES! I even had this as one of the tips/hacks but then I went in another direction - that will be a future hack credited to you 🙂 Do you have any pesto recipes on your blog (email me if you do: ddaly@teaspooncomm.com) or if you don't, no worries!
Love em' all! I am a huge fan of blended green juices, and try and drink one almost everyday. I usually make a double batch & store the leftovers in a mason jar in the fridge. I prefer blending to juicing most days, because a) I'm lazy, and b) I like getting the fiber. Cheers!
If I lived near you, I would have you whip me up one of your blended juices and I know I'd be a convert 🙂 I think the issue is I need a Blendtec 🙂
I was in desperate need of what to do with leftover herbs - thank you!!! I hate how much I waste but now I will be putting these tips into great use 🙂
So glad! Besides drying thyme, all my extra herbs would go to waste - I just tried the olive oil freezer trick (now I just have to remember they are in there - ha!)
Love your kitchen hacks! So useful and things I wouldn't always think of. I may have to make the smoothie for St. Patrick's Day!
What great tips! Thanks!
love the lettuce trick! Wilted lettuce is the worst!
I know wilted lettuce and soggy spinach - bleck! 🙂