Things you should know to prolong your essential groceries

Hi! I thought I should write this post as I kept seeing people asking for ideas for replacements(What can I use instead of yeast? How do I bake my own bread without yeast?), ways to use the supplies going bad (My tomatoes are going bad, how to do I use them?), so I thought I will put this together to help you conserve your groceries during this challenging time. As you can see this is a DIY/craft blog, this is not my usual subject so I will keep updating this post based on your response, suggestions, any tips, and tricks that worked for you, etc. Feel free to share them in the comments below or DM me on Instagram or FB or email me: Vikalpah@gmail.com Now let's get to the point.

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MILK	GOT MORE? EXTEND THE SHELF LIFE	GOING TO EXPIRE. HOW TO USE IT UP?
	Freeze your milk. For more info, click here	·      Make Alfredo sauce to go with pasta  ·      Make Paneer (Indian cheese)  ·      Make Sweets like Khoa/Thirattipal/Palkova(Indian sweet)

BREAD	GOT MORE? EXTEND THE SHELF LIFE	NO BREAD? MAKE YOUR OWN
	Freeze your bread to extend its shelf life from 3 to 6 months. But don’t forget to slice it up before you do it. Read more…	Easy White bread recipe.

NO YEAST	MAKE NO YEAST BREAD	MAKE YOUR OWN YEAST
	Easy homemade bread(No yeast)	·      How to easily make your own yeast from the scratch ·      Easiest homemade bread in history

EGGS	SHELF LIFE	ABOUT TO EXPIRE?
	Eggs can stay good even after 3 to 5 weeks of “best by” date. Read more... Trying testing it by dropping an egg in a bowl of water. If it floats it is bad, discard it.	·      Make hard-boiled eggs  ·      Make Quiche

ONIONS	SHELF LIFE & STORAGE	SPROUTING? GOING BAD?
	Onions will be good for 1-2 months in the summer if stored properly. Store onions separately from other vegetables such as potatoes. Store them in dark ventilated space. Read more…	·      Plant them to grow onions  ·      Or cut the green part and use them in cooking ·      If you spot a bad onion remove them and discard it as it will affect other onions. ·      Store them as caramelized onions in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can use them in recipes like biryani and gravies.  ·      Make onion thokku to have it with bread (Roti, Naan,etc)

TOMATOES	SHELF LIFE & STORAGE	GOING BAD?
	Ripe tomatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Some helpful tips: 1)   4 ways to store tomatoes(Long term) 2)   How to store tomatoes	·      Carmelize the tomatoes and extend the shelf life in the fridge. To do this on the stovetop, Saute cut tomatoes by heating oil. Add salt and saute till turns mushy. Cool down. Store it in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Use to make gravies like paneer butter masala.  ·      Make tomato paste and freeze it. Use in recipes like tomato soup.  ·      Make ketchup or sauce.

SPINACH	SHELF LIFE & STORAGE	GOING BAD?
	Store them in an airtight container with paper towels up to ten days. Store them in the crisper drawer.  Applicable for almost all greens. Read more	·      Blanch them, cool and then puree it to store in the freezer, use ice tube tray or Ziploc bags to portion. Best to use it smoothies or gravies like Palak paneer.

BANANAS	SHELF LIFE & STORAGE	GOING BAD?
	To prolong their shelf life, cover the stem with a plastic /saran wrap.	·      Peel them and cut them into pieces and freeze them. Use can use these to make smoothies and Ice cream.  ·       17 ways to use up ripe bananas

Disclaimer: With all these said, please take these tips & tricks as a suggestion and use these at your own discretion. Eat responsibly. 

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