Saving Pineapples

I love this time of year when the fresh markets open with an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies.

If you are staying on campus for summer classes or simply working to pay for tuition next year...great ways to cut your grocery bill is buying local and/or buying in bulk when certain produce is in season. 

What's even better...having a freezer! Almost any produce or fruit can be frozen for future use. Nothing like fresh tropical flavors in the middle of winter or on a rainy day!

See previous posts for Freezing Bananas and Saving Mangoes.

Saving Pineapples

Equipment: 

Large, sharp knife

Freezer bags

Ingredients:

Fresh Pineapple

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands. 

2. Cut off the base and top.

3. Now cut the pineapple into quarters.

4. Trim off the tough core /center.

5. Split each quarter into half.

6. Closely cut the pineapple flesh at the base and then slice into bite-size chunks of goodness.

7. Have your freezer bags ready.

8. Once you have the bag 3/4 filled, try to flatten into a single layer.

Lying things flat in the freezer minimizes space needed. Best of all, you now have fresh flavors for the upcoming weeks and you have reduced wasting food and money!

Freezing Bananas

Bananas are:

• --cheap and easily bought in bulk.
• --great natural sweeteners for smoothies. 
• --can be used in place of ice cubes for smoothies
• --great when combined in Chocolate Protein Shake with peanut butter

But, bananas get thrown out a lot because they turn brown and mushy.

Save money. Minimize food waste.  And, make smoothies in no time flat. Here's what you do!

Equipment:

Freezer

Ziplock bag

Knife

Ingredients:

Bananas

(As many as u want and have space for)

Lemon juice

Instructions: 

1. Wash your hands.

2. Peel banana and remove strings.

3. Slice banana into 1/4" thick slices.

4. Put in ziplock bag or bowl. 

5. Drizzle with 1/2 lemon juice.

6. Seal ziplock bag and shuffle slices into a single, flat layer.

7. Place into freezer FLAT.

8. When you're ready for a smoothie, break off a few slices.

Enjoy when needed!

Warm Berry Yoghurt

Just a simple blog today to add variety to your yoghurt.  But having said that, this recipe, once made, could be used on waffles, on oatmeal, or in smoothies.  Basically, use any combination of berries you like:  Blueberries-Blackberries, Strawberries-Raspberies, or any mixture you can think of.  If you have 10 minutes, this sauce will raise the bar.

Equipment:

3 quart saucepan

1/4 cup measuring cup

Spoon

Ingredients:

2/3 cup red raspberries, fresh or frozen

2/3 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen

1/4 cup water 

1/4 cup sugar

2 tsp of butter

Add-Ins:

Granola

Honey

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Wash the fruit.

3. Combine the fruit, water, and sugar in a sauce pan.

4. Bring to a boil and stir.

5. Reduce heat to a slow boil or simmer for 10 minutes until sauce begins to thicken.

6. Remove from heat and add butter

7. Prep your bowl or glasses with yoghurt, granola and honey.

8. Add fruit and top with granola.

9. You have a great day ahead of you.