How often do you use half of the gigantic onions for your morning omelet and store the other half to use later and find the fridge smelling of onions?  How many times do you slice few cucumber slices to make kids lunches and store the rest for later and find it soggy!  How often have you found the lettuce has got limp within just a couple of days after using few leaves for your sandwiches!   Are you always finding places in your fridge to keep your half used jalapenos or bell peppers?

These are situations many of us face in our kitchens and homes. But luckily I stumbled on this excellent food saver idea which solves the produce problems. When visiting a friend I saw this food savers in her refrigerator from rubber maid which has a ‘crisp tray’ on the base which separates  the produce from the moisture when the container is closed, hence perfect for keeping the half cut onions and peppers and herbs  or lettuce heads without it getting soggy.  These containers lids also had a vent for the air to circulate.   These food savers is a good answer to keeping vegetables and fruits  fresh for longer specially if you buy in bulk from stores like Costco or Sam’s.

Inspired by these food savers, I have my very own food saver solution with the things I have lying around the home.   This is also for all those people across the world, who don’t have access to buy these food savers.

The first requirement is an equivalent for a crisp plate. I have many raised slotted plates in my kitchen which came as part of my pressure cookers. They have slits exactly like the crisp plate to let any excess moisture drip down in the container. Another substitute is a steamer plate or a small colander/ sieve.

And the second requirement is a container; it could be plastic Tupperware or stainless steel or anything lying around you home which can fit your plate in it and be big enough to house your veggies or fruit.

I have been using these food savers for a few months now and find it an excellent solution to keep my half used onions or peppers and herbs like cilantro, basil, mint, parsley etc  fresh and healthy and keep the produce lasting longer giving full value for the money spent.

Do you have similar kitchen ideas to share? Please post on hotsweetspicy recipes and let the world into your kitchen with your smart solutions.