Stay Home and Cook: Unleash Your Inner MasterChef with Summer Menu Challenges and 6 Tips to Extend the Freshness of Ingredients
April is considered the hottest month of the year in Thailand. Staying home to beat the heat is the best solution during this time. #StayingHomeShouldBeBetterThanBefore because not only is it safer, but it also gives you the time to do things you've always wanted to do but never had the chance. One popular activity that many people are taking up is putting on an apron and cooking at home. Of course, an essential helper that will help you create diverse menus while storing various ingredients efficiently and keeping them fresh for a long time is crucial. This will ensure that you can make delicious dishes that taste great this summer.
Tips for Storing and Extending the Freshness of Ingredients
Before you start cooking, take a moment to check if your cooking ingredients are still fresh and ready for your summer menu. Here are some simple tips to help you store and extend the freshness of your ingredients:
- Wrap leafy vegetables in paper or plastic wrap before refrigerating to extend their shelf life, and store vegetables separately from fruits.
- Wrap each piece of fruit in paper and place them in a zip-lock bag, keeping them separate from vegetables, as fruits release ethylene gas that can spoil vegetables faster.
- Cut meat into portions suitable for cooking in one go and freeze them for convenience.
- Store seafood in a container filled with water in the freezer at a consistent temperature, which can keep seafood fresh for up to 4-6 months.
- Store bottles upright and organize your refrigerator to prevent spills and allow oxygen to enter, which can spoil fresh milk or juice faster.
- Choose a refrigerator with ample interior space for better storage, especially during times when you can't go out often. Buying fresh ingredients in bulk is common, so a spacious refrigerator will help keep everything fresh for your family. Samsung's SpaceMax™ technology is designed to maximize cooling space, while FlexZone™ technology allows you to adjust the temperature for optimal freshness.
Summer Menu Ideas
Now, let’s start trying out some summer recipes that are perfect for this hot weather and also healthy, helping to build a strong immune system. Here are 3 recommended dishes you can easily make with your Samsung refrigerator and microwave.
Cool Down with Mango Sorbet
Mangoes are the seasonal fruit that is widely available right now. Try making homemade mango sorbet for a refreshing treat. All you need are ripe mangoes and ice to get started.
How to Make:
1. Dice the mangoes.
2. Place the mango and ice in a blender. For a richer sorbet, you can add plain yogurt or sweeten it with honey to your liking.
3. Blend all the ingredients until smooth.
4. Scoop into a container and freeze for about 3-4 hours.
5. Take it out of the freezer and serve. Enjoy your professional-grade mango sorbet!
Stay Fit at Home with Cold Noodles
Another healthy dish to cool down that many people love is cold noodles. Even if you order it for delivery, it’s never as good as homemade. So why not try making it yourself? You might find it just as delicious as at a Japanese restaurant.
How to Make:
1. Boil water, add dried fish, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Boil until it bubbles, then strain to keep only the sauce. Chill it in the refrigerator.
2. Boil Japanese noodles for 3 minutes, then shock them in cold water for 30 seconds. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Wrapping them will keep the noodles soft and cool without hardening.
3. Slice sweet egg, ham, crab sticks, and cucumber into long strips.
4. Take the cold noodles and sauce out of the fridge, garnish with sweet egg, ham, and cucumber, and serve.
Roasted Chicken
Get creative in the kitchen with a family-friendly dish like roasted chicken, which can be made using a Samsung microwave that can bake, warm, grill, and fry. This is a clean-eating option that everyone can enjoy together.
How to Make:
1. Clean the chicken thoroughly.
2. Marinate with your favorite spices, oyster sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper. Wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
3. Place the chicken in a ceramic bowl and microwave it uncovered on high for about 10-20 minutes.
4. Check the internal doneness and serve to the whole family.
You might discover a new talent you never knew you had, or you might create something delicious enough to impress a master chef! Samsung encourages you to #StayingHomeShouldBeBetterThanBefore filled with fun and creativity in your home space, allowing you to invent new things every day.
For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/th/