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BEHIND THE SCENES

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A PEEK INSIDE THE TEST KITCHEN FREEZER

Curious as to what we keep in our freezer? A whole lot more than you might think. In fact, we’ve found that some pantry staples are better preserved in the freezer. Here’s a list of the more unusual items the test kitchen keeps on ice.

RIPE OR OVERRIPE BANANAS: Great to have for making banana bread or muffins, or drop them into a blender while still frozen for fruit smoothies. Peel bananas before freezing.

NUTS: Sealed in a zipper-lock freezer bag, nuts stay fresh tasting for months. And there’s no need to defrost; frozen nuts chop just as easily as fresh.

HERBS: Dried bay leaves retain their potency much longer when stored in the freezer. Chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme can be covered with water in an ice cube tray and then frozen indefinitely. Keep the frozen cubes in a zipper-lock freezer bag until needed for sauces, soups, or stews. Homemade pesto can also be frozen in ice cube trays, and there’s no need to add water.

BUTTER: When stored in the refrigerator, butter picks up off-odors and eventually turns rancid. You can prolong its life by storing it in the freezer. Transfer it to the refrigerator one stick at a time, as you need it.

DRY GOODS: Stored in the freezer, flour, bread crumbs, cornmeal, oats, and other grains are protected from humidity, bugs, and rancidity.