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A guide to cleaning the kitchen. With many useful tips for easy kitchen cleaning and quick cleaning of the kitchen. Because a frequently used kitchen gets dirty quickly. So use our checklist for clever cleaning with a system.

When the tomato sauce thickens, there are red spatters on the wall. And a leaky yogurt makes a big mess in the fridge? But the most stubborn fat that spreads with the food steam settles in the whole kitchen. What can you do about these impurities?

Kitchen cleaning checklist

If you want to clean your kitchen from front to back, it is worth making a checklist. Otherwise, it can happen that you start somewhere and later have to clean up again at this point. This will make you brush longer than necessary. That’s why we’ve created a step-by-step guide for you. You should also effectively eliminate germs when cleaning. Thus, the cozy family kitchen is clean again.

1) Clean kitchen shelves

First, clear out the kitchen shelves. Then you can wipe the shelves with a damp cloth. You can add some dish soap if you want. If the shelves smell musty, you can use the household remedy vinegar. To do this, mix equal parts vinegar and water. You can then use this to clean your cupboards from the inside. If you find jammed glasses while cleaning, don’t panic! We have collected clever tricks for you to separate wedged glasses.

2) Defrost ice compartments and freezers

Ice compartments or freezers should be defrosted 1-2 times a year. Because a thick layer of ice insulates and the device has to cool more. If you put a pot of hot water in the empty cabinet, defrosting will go faster. If there is no integrated collection container for the resulting condensation, you should put a cleaning rag in it. You can then wring it out over a bucket.

3) Clean the fridge

You should defrost and clean your refrigerator from time to time before it takes on an unpleasant odor. If your fridge already smells bad, there are some home remedies to get rid of the smell in the fridge. For cleaning, take out all moving trays and plates. Then clean them in the sink. Then you can wipe the inside of the fridge with a soft cloth and a vinegar-water mixture. Finally, you can put a coffee pod in the fridge. Because that prevents odor development.

4) Clean work surfaces and kitchen fronts

It is best to wipe up spilled drinks immediately. But in addition to regular wiping, you occasionally need to do a thorough cleaning of worktops and kitchen fronts. With plain dish soap, you’ve been scrubbing for a long time to get rid of the grease. Therefore, you should rather use special kitchen cleaners. You can also use the home remedy washing soda or the tried and tested liquid gall soap. You will also need a rough sponge or brush. You can rub the wiped metal surfaces with half a lemon. Then rinse off the juice with clear water after allowing it to act for a short time. Then fittings and sinks will shine beautifully again.

5) Prevent dirt

When chopping vegetables and fruit, breading schnitzel or fish, etc., you can put old newspapers underneath. Then no dirt gets on the worktop. And you can simply transport the waste along with the newspaper to the organic waste. You should also always have a small broom and a shovel within reach, which are only used on the countertop.

6) Home remedies for cleaning the kitchen

You don’t always need expensive, chemical cleaning agents to clean the kitchen. You can also use tried and tested home remedies. Because these are often just as effective. In addition, they are usually readily available and cheap.

Clean the kitchen with baking soda

Using baking soda is good for any cleaning job. You can use it to unclog clogged drains. You can also use it to remove grease stains from surfaces and burnt food in pans and pots.

Lifestyle

Instructions and Tips for Removing Verdigris

You can find out how to counteract the development of verdigris in different materials and how to remove verdigris in our helpful guide. Whether it’s a wooden bench or copper coins – with our housewife’s tips against verdigris, you will no longer get verdigris in your house. And: Is verdigris poisonous?

Even if verdigris lends the right mystical flair to many a setting, it is generally not welcomed in the home. Verdigris is actually small crystals that form from a copper salt of acetic acid due to weather influences and lead to a green to blue-green discoloration of an object. They are therefore small color pigments.

What exactly is verdigris?

When we talk about verdigris in everyday life, we mean two things: On the one hand, we speak of verdigris when copper or brass objects turn a green-blue color. On the other hand, we also speak of verdigris when it is actually green growth on stones, wood, plastic, or other materials. Green growth is usually organic material such as moss, lichen, and algae, while the discoloration that occurs in copper and brass objects takes place in the copper or brass itself. Both types of verdigris infestation require different strategies to control and get rid of them. You can find out how here.

Removing verdigris from copper and brass

Verdigris infestation is most common on copper and brass items, such as coins and ornaments. Various home remedies will help you to remove the verdigris and restore the affected piece to its former glory.

1) Cleaning in a vinegar bath

Cleaning small objects is relatively easy: a bath in vinegar water helps here. Simply mix enough vinegar in a bowl and let the items be cleaned and soak for a few hours. The objects must then be rinsed off with clear water and they will shine in their old glory. Stubborn spots can be treated with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar.

2) Polish with vinegar

For extra polish, simply rub the object with a soft cloth that has also been moistened with the universal household remedy vinegar and place it in the sun. The vinegar has an effect on the copper and brass structure and the verdigris cannot spread again so quickly. You can bring new splendor to your home easily, quickly, and without much effort and banish the verdigris from your four walls.

3) Mixture of salt and ammonia

No vinegar on hand? Salt and ammonia solutions will also help. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in 125 ml ammonia solution and rub the object to be cleaned with the mixture. Then you should leave it on for about an hour. Then simply rub off the solution with a soft cloth and copper and brass will shine like new again. Please also note our general tips on how to clean and care for the copper.

4) flour, salt, and alcohol

But what if the objects to be cleaned are built-in cranes or fittings? Then a paste of flour, salt, and alcohol will help. To do this, fill a coffee cup with 2 tablespoons of flour, 3 pinches of salt, and some alcohol. The paste has to be thick and sticky so that it sticks to the appropriate parts of the object… even in hard-to-reach places. The longer the porridge can work, the better the result will be. You can then rinse off the paste with clear water and polish the area with a dry cloth. Also, note our tips for cleaning awnings.

5) Softsoap and lye solution

Here we recommend a soft soap or lye solution to treat the area affected by verdigris. You can simply wet the object generously with the solution, an old kitchen sponge is suitable for this. After a few days, you will notice a change in the wood, and the verdigris will recede or fall off. If necessary, you can repeat the process.

6) High pressure against verdigris

If the verdigris infestation is already more advanced, reaching for the high-pressure cleaner will help. Such a device can be rented for a day from any standard hardware store. Or maybe you share a high-pressure cleaner with your neighbor? Since the high-pressure cleaner involves a large amount of water, it is best to take this measure on a warm, sunny day so that the furniture and other affected objects can then dry thoroughly. Subsequent wood care is also advisable.

Lifestyle

8 Tips for Protecting Cell Phones and Smartphones

An overview of tips and ideas for protecting your smartphone. Cell phone protection is an important yet problematic issue for every cell phone user. Here you will find suggestions for protecting your cell phone and restoring data.

For most people, mobile phones or smartphones are simply a matter of course in everyday life. It should always be ready to hand and immediately usable. We have collected tips and tricks for you so that you can optimally protect your smartphone from damage, such as scratches and viruses. We’ll also show you how to back up and restore your data.

The special valuable needs to be properly protected

Smartphones differ in function, design, and also from the price of the cell phone. Precisely because a mobile phone is already of significant value, many are keen to protect it from damage. How quickly does your cell phone fall on the hard floor or do you hit something with it? Many would also like to avoid the unsightly scratches on the display alone. If you want to treat your cell phone properly, you should consider the following, for example:

1) Tempered glass film against scratches and cracks

The display is very important and very delicate, so you should handle it very carefully to avoid damage. A tempered glass film is, therefore, a good choice to protect against scratches and other blemishes, as well as cracks. Tempered glass films are available for every smartphone. They do not interfere with the use of your cell phone and are therefore practical protection for your display.

2) Covers and foils to protect against damage

Damage such as cracks and scratches can not only occur on the display, which is why you should also protect the back of your smartphone. You can avoid damage with the right mobile phone cases. If it then happens that your mobile phone falls, the back is protected and therefore no damage and further costs can arise. Protective covers for your mobile phone are available in different colors and variations. Also, note how you can use key covers to better tell your keys apart.

3) Popsocket for better grip

A pop socket gives you a better grip on your phone. Popsockets are also available in many different shapes, colors, and variations, so you have a free choice. You can also fold up your Popsocket when you don’t need it or want to put your phone away. You can also use them for other purposes, for example, if you want to set up your smartphone.

4) Back up data regularly

It is very important to back up data regularly. Your cell phone can break at any time, even without external impairments. Everyone does not want to lose their data after a sudden cell phone failure. Contacts in particular play an important role here. You can secure this with the help of a Google account, for example. Certain apps also allow this. With Apple devices, this is easier. Here you can simply save all your data in the cloud.

5) Recover phone data

If your phone has been stolen or has given up the ghost, you can now get your contacts back using your Google account on your new smartphone. If you have sent your cell phone for repair and they have to do a hard reset and thus reset all data, the apps would also be a solution to recover the data. With an Apple device, you can now simply log into your cloud and have all the data there. Here is a complete cell phone data recovery checklist.

6) Protection against viruses

In addition to protecting the smartphone with a protective cover or bulletproof glass, you should also be careful not to get any viruses on your cell phone. There are various free apps that will help you with this protection. Good cell phone antivirus will secure and give you warnings. So you should definitely get a virus scanner to protect your cell phone optimally.

7) Avoid heat and sun as much as possible

Temperatures in the vehicle quickly rise to over 50 degrees. You should therefore always protect your mobile phone, smartphone, and tablet from direct sunlight. For example, you can leave your cell phone or smartphone in your pocket on the beach or at the outdoor pool, or at least cover it with a towel. The mobile phone should not be left in the car for long if it is very warm outside.

8) Watch out for your cell phone

For the best security, you should not drop your smartphone and be careful. You should also always keep an eye on your cell phone so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands or you don’t find it again. You should also be careful not to put your cell phone in your jacket or trouser pocket with a key or other hard, sharp, and pointed objects, otherwise cracks and scratches can appear on the unprotected display.

Food

Porridge is Healthy: 8 Good Reasons to Eat Porridge For Breakfast

Porridge is healthy, tasty and nutritious. Here you can find out what makes oatmeal so good for your health and why you should eat it more often for breakfast.

Porridge is healthy: Oatmeal as a new food trend

In recent years, porridge has shed its dusty image and developed into a real food trend. Oatmeal is nothing new, though. Porridge was already widespread in the past as a cheap and filling breakfast, especially among the poor. Today, porridge is more popular than ever – rightly so, because porridge is extremely healthy and nutritious. Oatmeal provides us with important nutrients and provides a lot of energy for the day. Here you will find eight good reasons why porridge should be on your breakfast table more often.

1. Porridge fills you up for a long time
2. Porridge promotes digestion
3. Porridge lowers the cholesterol level and protects against civilization diseases
4. Porridge provides us with healthy proteins
5. Porridge contains important vitamins and minerals
6. Porridge provides healthy fatty acids
7. Porridge is naturally gluten-free
8. Porridge is variable, tasty and cheap

Cooking Tips

Orange-Mokka For 4 People

The orange mocca, such as the mocha in general, is popular, especially in Turkey and in the Middle East. The combination of sweet and acid fruit and mild coffee ensures an exotic taste experience.

ingredients

100 g of cream, 1 orange, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 3 tablespoons of mild coffee powder, 100 ml orange liqueur

preparation

Step: Beat the cream in half -fast. Rub orange bowl and mix with the cream. Squeeze orange.
Step: Pour coffee powder with 1/4 l of boiling water. Add the orange juice, sugar and orange liqueur and bring it to a boil again.
Step: Spread coffee in the glasses. Place the orange cream as a hood and serve.

Cooking Tips

The World’s Best Cultivation Areas For Coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular hot drinks worldwide and has been enjoying increasing popularity for centuries.

The origin of the coffee is very different depending on the variety. Nowadays it is produced worldwide and new growing areas are being created every day.

The enjoyable guardian convinces with a very individual taste and is available in many varieties. Even if it is an integral part of everyday life for many, most of them hardly know exactly where the growing areas of coffee are. Therefore, we go on a journey through the most popular coffee cultivation areas and also take a closer look at the two main varieties Robusta and Arabica.

The growing areas of coffee extend over the entire globe. The coffee beans we use come from the coffee plant. This is one of the rather sensitive plants and only thrives under optimal climatic conditions. Countries that are near the equator are preferably suitable for this. Together these areas result in a so -called coffee belt. The predominantly tropical and moist growing areas enable the coffee plants to grow excellent and a quick heyday. The two economically represented coffee types are the Coffea Arabica (Arabica) and the Coffea Canhora (Robusta). Arabica takes up the largest proportion of the growing areas with around 75 % and is the most popular worldwide among all coffee drinkers. But other coffee plants such as the Coffea Liberica, Coffea Stenophylla, Coffea Congensis and many more can be found in the vastness of the growing areas. Well -known places where coffee plants are bred are Brazil, Ethiopia, Nicaragua or Sumatra.

These are the most important production countries

The largest production countries of coffee are near the equator and together form the so -called coffee belt. Expressed, the areas of Central and South America, Africa and parts of Asia’s crucial cultivation areas are primarily to be put. The largest production countries form Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, Vietnam, Thailand, Angola, Congo, Liberia, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, the Central African Republic, Costa Rica, Zambia and many more. In all places there are more or less optimal conditions for a coffee harvest. A billion -dollar industry has developed around the coffee today. The production countries increase their growing potential every day and thus meet the increasing demand for coffee. However, the individual growing areas do not all produce the same coffee. There are significant differences between quantity, cultivation and taste. On the one hand, this is due to the respective climatic conditions, and on the other hand also due to the differentiated cultivation methods. A Arabica coffee bean, which comes from Africa, therefore tastes very different from an Arabica coffee bean, which comes from Asia, for example. The variety of coffee is sometimes a reason for its popularity and offers every coffee drinker daily variety and aromatic wealth. Below we list the most important growing areas of coffee and discover their special features.

Coffee growing areas in North and Central America

In North and Central America, Nicaragua in particular stands out as a coffee growing area. In the El Salvador and Santo Domingo regions there are numerous plantations that extend over miles and accommodate a wide variety of coffee plants. Many people in these areas live exclusively from coffee cultivation. The valuable coffee beans are shipped all over the world after harvesting. Another special cultivation area is Jamaica. Here the famous “Blue Mountain coffee” is bred. For this reason, the Blue Mountains from Jamaica are covered with large -scale coffee plantations. However, the excellent type of coffee has its price and has just under $ 120 per kilogram. Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most expensive varieties in the world. Tourists from all over the world visit the growing areas to take smaller quantities with you and try out the delicious coffee.

The state of Mexico is located in North America and parts of Central America. Here too, coffee is grown on large plantations. There are around 400 million coffee trees in one of the most important growing areas, Soconusco. This tremendous amount is expanded by other growing areas across the country. As a result, Mexico rises in the top ranks of the largest production countries. With the “Ruta del Café”, even a separate coffee road was established, with which the tourist value of the coffee -shaped landscape is to be increased. In addition to Mexico, growing areas from Costa Rica, Hawaii and Guatemala can also convince with tasty and famous types of coffee. Costa Rica scores particularly with aromatic, full -bodied flavors and intensely fragrant coffee. Hawaii is ideal for the coffee harvest, as optimal climatic conditions prevail here. The coffee beans from there have a mostly mild and nutty aroma. Finally, the most populous state of Central America is on the plan: Guatemala. The country has always been one of the most important production countries for coffee and produces coffee beans with an aromatic and spicy note. With altitudes around 2,000 meters and extremely fertile, volcanic nutrients, coffee trees grow particularly quickly here. This leads to high quality and first -class diversity.

Coffee growing areas in South America

South America is the continent with the strongest production countries for coffee. The two strongest countries are Colombia and Brazil. The coffee plant has developed into a real economic miracle and gives the population in addition to many jobs, but also new cultural diversity. The climate in the warm areas is constant all year round and provides the coffee harvested optimal conditions for high -quality cultivation. The ARABICA and Robusta coffee varieties are particularly well represented here and are distributed all over the world by central trading points. Dozens of tons of coffee from South America also arrive every day in Europe. In addition to Brazil and Colombia, places such as Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and the Galapagos Islands also play an important role. Each location convinces with individual advantages and a large variety of varieties.

Brazil produces around 34 % of the world’s total coffee requirement and is therefore considered a real heavyweight among production countries. The growing areas of coffee extends across the country and are largely responsible for economic success. With almost 287,000 farms on approx. 2,402,933 hectares on which coffee is grown, Brazil leaves all colleagues far behind. A single farm can be up to 25,000 hectares. The cultivation areas deliver around 45 million sacks with coffee beans every year, with each sack weighing about 60 kilograms. With 80% harvest content, Arabica beans are mainly bred. The remaining 20% are robusta beans. The success of the coffee in Brazil is not only in sales alone. The Brazilians use a fifth of their harvested beans for their own use. Coffee has developed into a true culture in Brazil. In private and business areas, it is a good tone to offer your guest a coffee. A whole third of the exported raw coffee also goes to Germany and thus ends up directly on our domestic tables.

Behind Brazil and Vietnam, Colombia is the third largest coffee exporter worldwide in the list of the largest production countries. Coffee has traditionally been grown here for almost 300 years. More than half a million Colombian live from the industry and thus represent a driving force of the local economy. Even though Colombia had recorded a declining production in recent years and has even been replaced by Vietnam to third place, coffee plays one Important role for the people living there and the entire nation. Coffee is considered a cultural drink in Colombia and sometimes shapes society. The coffee farmers attach great importance to the quality of their coffee beans and breeds only the best standards. The country’s biologically high -quality cultivation distinguishes the country from many other production countries and makes “coffee made in Colombia” a strong branded product.

Incidentally, particularly popular coffee also comes from the Dominican Republic. With this country, people associate sun, palm trees, beach and sea – the perfect Caribbean goal for an exuberant vacation. However, coffee is also grown here in large masses. There are almost 50,000 smaller coffee producers, which are scattered across the entire country. Because of the high temperatures in the north (30 degrees Celsius on average), the profitable growing areas are largely in the somewhat cooler south. Almost all production facilities specialize in the cultivation of Arabica coffee beyond this.

Food

Sticky Rice: Nutrition Facts, Basic Recipe and Ideas for Sticky Rice

Sticky rice, also known as sticky rice, is a Thai specialty. In the national cuisine, it is used either as a side dish or as the basis for more elaborate dishes. We will introduce you to the type of rice and show you a simple basic recipe.

Sticky rice is a type of rice that is mainly found in Thailand, but also in other Asian countries. It has thick, bulbous grains that resemble jasmine rice. While uncooked jasmine rice appears slightly translucent, glutinous rice – or sticky rice – is white. This is due to its high starch content.

Another difference lies in the way it is prepared: sticky rice is not boiled but steamed. As a result, the individual rice grains stick together and the sticky rice gets the typical consistency for which it is named. According to Thai tradition, a special bamboo basket (for example via** Avocadostore) is used for steaming. A steamer or a large saucepan serves the same purpose.

You can get sticky rice in Asian shops or in well-stocked supermarkets. Some manufacturers also offer sticky rice in organic quality. If you have the choice, you should opt for the organic version – this way you support sustainable cultivation conditions and avoid rice that is contaminated with chemical-synthetic pesticides. Ideally, the sticky rice should also have a Fairtrade seal: Then you can be sure that it comes from fair trade.

The nutritional values of sticky rice

Cooked sticky rice contains about 150 calories per 100 grams. Uncooked, it usually contains between 330 and 350 kilocalories per 100 grams. Uncooked sticky rice has the following additional nutritional values:

Protein: 7 g
Carbohydrates: 77 g
Fat: 0.8g
Sugar: 0 grams.

Like all types of rice, sticky rice is low in fat and cholesterol and rich in minerals. On the other hand, it contains less fiber than, for example, whole grain rice.

Sticky Rice: Simple basic recipe

Because glutinous rice needs to be steamed, the best way to cook it is in a special steamer. If you don’t have one, a simple saucepan and sieve will suffice. Make sure that the sieve can be hung in the saucepan.

Ingredients:

250 g sticky rice
water

Directions:

Wash the glutinous rice in lukewarm water until the water runs clear. Then put it in a bowl of cold water and stir well. Let the sticky rice sit in the water for at least three hours. If you want, you can put it in the night before and leave it overnight.
Pour the glutinous rice into a colander and rinse thoroughly.
If you are using a steamer for the preparation, line the steamer insert with a damp kitchen towel and put the sticky rice in it. Fill the pot with one liter of water and insert the insert. Then fold the kitchen towel over the rice and put the lid on. Let the rice steam over medium heat for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a large saucepan. Fill it with about a liter of water and place the sieve on the edge of the pot. Line the sieve with a kitchen towel, add the glutinous rice and fold the towel over the rice. Then put the lid on the pot. Make sure to keep the gap between the sieve and the lid as small as possible so that not too much steam can escape.
Steam the glutinous rice with the lid on and over medium heat for about half an hour. Then remove the pot from the stove. Caution: If some steam escapes despite the lid being on, be careful not to burn yourself.
Let the finished glutinous rice cool down a bit before you serve it as a side dish or process it further.

This is how you can process sticky rice

You can either serve the finished sticky rice as an accompaniment to other dishes or process it further. A classic Thai recipe is sticky rice with coconut milk and mango. To do this, boil 400 milliliters of coconut milk together with 50 grams of sugar and some salt and mix them with the finished rice. The dish is garnished with fresh mango slices.

However, both mangoes and coconut milk have a bad ecological balance because they cannot be cultivated regionally and have to be imported over long distances. You should therefore only use both occasionally when cooking. If you want to do without coconut milk, you can use regional organic cream or oat cream instead – this also makes the sticky rice nice and creamy. As an alternative to mangoes, you can try peaches or apricots, for example. You can get both from German cultivation during the season. You can find out which types of fruit are in season at what time of year in the Utopia seasonal calendar.

Food

Storing Cucumbers: This Way They Stay Crisp for a Long Time

If you want to store cucumbers, you should consider a few things. In this article you will learn what you need to know to keep cucumbers fresh for a long time.

Cucumbers consist of 97 percent water and are therefore relatively sensitive. If you store them incorrectly, they are prone to staining and mildew. In this article you will get many tips on how to store cucumbers properly.

Since the micronutrients are concentrated in and under the skin, you should eat cucumbers unpeeled. Therefore, use cucumbers of organic quality: they are free of chemical-synthetic pesticides.

In Germany, cucumbers are in season between June and September. During this time they are available from regional cultivation. Regional products have shorter transport routes and therefore have a smaller CO2 footprint. You can get unpackaged organic cucumbers at farmer’s markets, from direct sellers in your area or in organic boxes. You can find more information about the season of different vegetables in the Utopia Seasonal Calendar.

Storing cucumbers: You should pay attention to this

It is best to buy cucumbers unpackaged. The plastic wrap is meant to protect the cucumber. However, sometimes the cucumber starts to mold faster due to the condensation under the foil because it is packed airtight. However, opinions differ on this. You can also read online that cucumbers wrapped in plastic wrap last longer. From the point of view of environmental protection, however, unpackaged cucumbers are preferable to those sealed in plastic. More about this here: What is more sustainable: organic or unpackaged?

How to store cucumbers correctly:

Store the cucumber in a dark and cool place in the pantry or basement. Cucumbers do well at temperatures between ten and 13 degrees Celsius. Properly stored cucumbers can be kept for up to three weeks.
If you don’t have a pantry or basement, store the cucumber in the crisper of your refrigerator. This is better than storing the cucumber at room temperature. Cucumbers only last four to five days in the fridge.
Stored at room temperature, you should use cucumbers within a day or two.
Avoid storing cucumbers near apples or tomatoes. The cucumbers ripen faster due to the escaping ethylene.
Because of the high water content, you should not freeze cucumbers. The cold destroys the cell structure and the cucumber becomes mushy.

Storing Cucumbers: Store chopped cucumbers

Once you cut the cucumber, you should use it as soon as possible.

Place the sliced cucumber in a sealable container. You can also store small leftover cucumbers in a jar.
Store the container in the refrigerator and use the cucumber within a day or two.
Before the next meal, remove the dried part of the cucumber and wash it thoroughly again.

Food

Storing Aubergines: This Way They Stay Fresh for a Long Time

If you want to store eggplants, you should consider a few things. In this article you will find out how to recognize fresh aubergines and at what temperature you should store them.

Although aubergines are warm-loving vegetables, they can only be stored for a limited time at room temperature. We explain how to store aubergines correctly and what you should pay attention to.

Aubergines belong to the nightshade family and originally come from India. Also known as eggplant, this vegetable is very common in Mediterranean cuisine. Aubergines come in many different colors and shapes, with the dark purple version being the most well-known in this country.

If possible, use organic aubergines for cooking: They are free of chemical-synthetic pesticides and come from more sustainable agriculture. If you get the aubergines from regional cultivation, you also avoid long, energy-intensive transport routes.

Aubergines are in season in Germany between August and October. You can get unpackaged organic aubergines at farmers’ markets, directly from farmers or in organic boxes.

Storing aubergines: You should pay attention to this

When you buy eggplants, you should pay attention to the quality and degree of ripeness. A ripe eggplant has a shiny skin and is firm. If you press gently, it gives slightly. If the aubergine doesn’t yield to pressure, it’s unripe and tasteless. On the other hand, if it is too soft, it will soon spoil. Aubergines taste best when you prepare them fresh. However, you should not eat eggplants raw.

How to store aubergines correctly:

Store eggplants in a dark, cool place in the pantry or basement. Temperatures between ten and 13 degrees Celsius are well suited. Properly stored aubergines stay fresh for around three to four days.
The fridge is actually too cold for aubergines. If you don’t have a pantry or basement, you can still store the eggplants in the crisper of the refrigerator, which is better than storing them at room temperature. It is best to wrap the eggplants in paper to absorb excess moisture. Alternatively, you can place them loosely in the crisper in your fridge. Aubergines stored in the refrigerator quickly become stained and soft. You should process them within a day or two.
Eggplants stored at room temperature are best prepared on the same day or the next day at the latest.
Don’t store eggplants near apples or tomatoes. The escaping ethylene allows the aubergines to ripen more quickly.

Store sliced aubergines

You can store cut aubergines in the fridge until the next day before they spoil.

Place the sliced eggplant in a sealable container.
Keep the container in the fridge and use the leftover eggplant quickly.
Then remove the dried part of the eggplant and wash the fruit thoroughly again.
Aubergine slices turn brown in the air within a short time. It is therefore better to overcook them immediately and not to keep them raw. You can store cooked aubergine dishes in the refrigerator for two to three days.

Store eggplants in the freezer

To store eggplants for a particularly long time, you should freeze them. Eggplants can be frozen for up to nine months.

Wash the eggplants thoroughly.
Cut the vegetables into cubes.
Blanch the eggplant pieces for three minutes.
Immediately cool the vegetables in ice water.
Drain the aubergine pieces well in a hair strainer. Alternatively, you can pat them dry with a tea towel.
Place the blanched cubes in a freezer container. You can also freeze aubergines in jars.
Label the freezer container so you can remember what’s inside later.
Also write the date. This will help you keep track of your freezer.
Frozen aubergines are particularly good for soups, sauces and spreads.

Food

Cook Black Salsify: Tips for Healthy Winter Vegetables

There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing salsify. Read our step-by-step instructions to find out how to properly prepare the winter vegetables.

Used in the Middle Ages as a remedy for snake bites, black salsify is now a popular winter vegetable. Due to its similarity to asparagus, it is colloquially called winter asparagus.

For example, you can serve salsify as a side dish, baked or as a soup. But no matter how you end up preparing them – in most cases you have to cook them first. There are a few things to keep in mind. Below you will find out how best to proceed.

By the way: Black salsify is in season from October to April, making it the perfect winter vegetable.

Cook salsify: tips

Preparing salsify takes a bit of work. But you shouldn’t let that put you off, because they provide a lot of fiber and important vitamins that strengthen your immune system.

Preparation: Peel the salsify

Wash the salsify under running water and thoroughly remove dirt and dirt.
Peel the stalks until the brown skin is completely removed. Important: Black salsify contains a sticky, staining liquid. Therefore, wear old clothes or an apron and peel them in a bowl of water.
Attention: As soon as the black salsify is peeled, it will turn brown relatively quickly. Therefore, after peeling them, leave them in clean water and add a little lemon juice or a dash of vinegar.
Boil salsify

Cut the peeled stalks into bite-sized pieces.
Fill a saucepan with water and lightly salt it.
Add the salsify pieces and let them cook for about 15 to 20 minutes. When they are soft, you can take them out of the pot and serve or process them.

Tip: Black salsify will keep in the fridge for about two weeks. It is best to wrap them in a damp kitchen towel. If you have a basement, you can also store them just like carrots. Place the salsify in a box or bucket and cover them generously with sand. They will keep like this for several weeks.