How to Keep Your Greens Fresh

luv2bike · #1 07-01-2006

This is from my SB Daily Dish that I gat in my email.

Quote:

How to Keep Your Greens Fresh

Leafy greens figure prominently in every Phase of The South Beach Diet®, but for the freshest tasting greens, it's important that you buy and store them properly. There are two main reasons that greens go bad, either they are bought past their prime or they're sitting in your refrigerator too long. Here are some tips for keeping your greens fresh and delicious!

Purchasing Whole heads of lettuce, like romaine and endive, tend to stay fresh longer than loose-leaf greens and prewashed bagged lettuce. When you're selecting your greens, take a peek at them to make sure the leaves aren't brown or wilting. Instead, the leaves should be crisp and evenly colored.

Storage: Greens need air — it's the lack of air that accelerates decay. Some storage-bag makers now sell perforated bags that allow air and moisture to circulate. You can also make your own perforated bag: Start with a resealable plastic bag and make multiple stabs with a small, thin knife. Finally, make sure to eat your greens within a few days. Otherwise, they'll start to perish.

Preparation: Once greens are thoroughly washed under cold running water, dry the leaves with a salad spinner or pat them with a paper towel. If you have leftovers, wrap them in paper towels and toss them into a perforated bag.

Leafy greens are very versatile. Toss some greens together for a salad, sauté them in extra-virgin olive oil, or steam them (on the stovetop or in the microwave) for a simple side dish. Add your choice of South Beach Diet®-approved dressing or seasonings and enjoy!

Lynne · #2 07-01-2006

Right on time. I just tossed a bag of moldy lettuce and yesterday bought a head instead of the bagged stuff.
BTW, some of that bagged lettuce which saids "washed" may not be. There were some cases of food poisoning a couple months ago from lettuce that was washed in polluted water.
Great Post Luv

Mindy moves on! · #3 07-12-2006

I have found bugs in the pre-washed stuff. Never take the washing for granted!!

I loosely wrap my greens in paper towels and put them in the plastic bags that you get with your groceries (not the produce department bags, but the ones at the checkout). I don't close those bags real tight. I find that this really prolongs the life of the produce. Especially scallions/green onions. They last three times as long stored this way.

Fresh herbs seem to wilt the fastest. No matter how you store them.

luv2bike · #4 07-12-2006

I found a small worm in one of those bags of lettuce once! I couldn't eat them again for a long time. I just kept thinking about that worm and what if I hadn't found it. Silly, I know.

Mindy moves on! · #5 07-13-2006

EWE!!!!!!!!!!! And what is with people and tequila worms? Oops, that's a whole other subject!!!

Moggy · #6 07-14-2006

I grow my own lettuces when the weather is cooler. I fill the sink with water and put the lettuce in and squish it around and then let it sit for a while, all of the dirt and icky stuff sinks to the bottom and the lettuce floats, depending on how dirty it looked I may do this a couple of times. Then, I put them in my salad spinner...that is one of man's best inventions! I never realized it until someone gave me one as a gift! My lettuces will keep nicely for sometimes as long as 2 weeks! I think getting all the water off of leaves really does the trick. It keeps best if I store it in the spinner in the fridge! The only drawback is that it is a rather large container and I have a rather small fridge!
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/kitchen/977-how-keep-your-greens-fresh.html

If you do have a spinner, it is really great for getting the excess water out of cauliflower and broccoli after you cook it as well! Great little kitchen gadget!

Mindy moves on! · #7 07-14-2006

I love my salad spinner! :joy: It's a great way to put dressing on a salad too, without using excess!! Saw that on a Graham Kerr cooking show!

Moggy · #8 07-14-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindy moves on!

I love my salad spinner! :joy: It's a great way to put dressing on a salad too, without using excess!! Saw that on a Graham Kerr cooking show!

Hmm, that seems like it would be a lot of work to clean it up though!

Mindy moves on! · #9 07-14-2006

No, the leaves get all coated very lightly, and the excess goes onto the sides of the bowl the spinner sits in. You can dump the salad right in the bowl or into another bowl if you want the less dressing like I do! I love how it coats my lettuce ever so lightly and tasty!!

Moggy · #10 07-14-2006

Hey Mindy, have you tried the new WishBone Salad Spritzers? They're low fat! I lot of the girls in my office are using them and love them.

http://lowfatcooking.about.com/gi/dy...ing%3Dss_balsa

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode