Alternatives to fruits (in recipes)

Many times, we come across recipes which require fruits and they may not be available in exactly the form as needed in the recipe. Here are some alternatives:

1 teaspoon grated orange rind = 1/2 orange

3 tablespoons lemon juice = 1 lemon

1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon rind = 1 lemon

1 cup mashed banana= 3 medium bananas

6 tablespoons orange juice = 1 orange

1 cup chopped apple = 1 medium apple

4 cups sliced apples = 4 medium apples

2 cups pitted cherries = 4 cups un-pitted cherries

4 cups sliced fresh peaches = 2 lbs or 8 medium peaches

1 cup orange juice = 3 medium oranges

Vegetable and Fruit Tips

* Prevent discoloration of green leafy vegetables: Add a pinch of
common salt and sugar to the cooking vegetable so as to avoid
discoloration of green leafy vegetables.

* Onion peeling without crying: Peel onions under water to avoid
"crying". Another option is to refrigerate onions before cutting.

* Keep green leafy vegetables fresh for longer time: Wrap green leafy vegetables in a newspaper before putting in the vegetable bag or tray. This will keep them fresh much longer.

* Keep celery fresh for a longer time: Celery wrapped in aluminum
foil before refrigerating will remain fresh for weeks.

* Stop potatoes from rotting: Potatoes rot quickly if stored near
onions. To prevent potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag
with the potatoes.

* Keep chilies fresh for a longer time: While storing green chilies,
remove the stems.

How to cut a fruit properly

Step 1. Cut both ends off the watermelon.

Step 2. Now make cuts lengthwise about 3-4" deep and 4" apart.

Step 3. Now hit the melon along one cut strip to break along seed line. The rind will be about 4-5 mm lower then the other strips. Break off the strip'

Step 4. If all was done right, your strip should have broke on the seed line. Take a spoon and scrape the seeds off. Don't worry about removing some of the melon around the seeds because it is usually overripe and mushy anyways. Some people think this wasteful but it is an undesirable part of the melon.

Step 5.Once seeds are removed cut up the remainder of the strip into pieces to serve. Repeat the process for each remaining strip. As you continue you will notice that the center of the melon is remaining. Clean the seeds off it and cut it up. This center section is the prime part so put it in a separate bowl and save it for yourself.

Get fruit ripe and ready with these 2 tricks

Paper Bags

Many fruits -- including avocados, bananas, pears, peaches, and tomatoes -- will ripen better when placed in a paper bag. To hasten the ripening process of any fruit, place an already ripe apple or banana peel in the same bag and store it at room temperature. To ripen green bananas, wrap them in a damp dishtowel before placing them in the bag. Once your fruits have adequately ripened, you can halt the process by putting them in the refrigerator.

Plastic Bags

Some of the fruit from that bushel of peaches you just bought at the local farm stand are hard as rocks. Place the fruit with a few already ripe pieces or some ripe bananas in a plastic bag. The ripe fruit will help soften the others through the release of their natural gas. But don't leave them for more than a day or two or you'll have purple, moldy peaches.