KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – MORE GOODIES IN ICE CUBE TRAYS

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – MORE GOODIES IN ICE CUBE TRAYS

Last week I told you about a trick for preserving herbs by freezing in olive oil in ice cube trays. I thought I would look for a few other things we can freeze in ice cube trays to use as we need.

Instead of throwing out unused ripe fruit freeze in juice in ice cube trays. Cut up fruit add to tray and fill with the juice of your choice. Use in smoothies or as interesting ice cubes in your favorite drink or cocktail. Use a juice can to make big ice for a punch bowl. For more fun ice cubes freeze gummies in cubes. Use gummie worms for Halloween party drinks. They come in so many shapes you can make special cubes for any occasion. Also there are so many shapes of ice cube trays out there now that the possibilities are endless.

Make your own ready-to-bake cookies. Press extra dough into the tray and freeze. Keep in a plastic freezer bag and take out as many as you want to bake two or three for just you or a dozen for company.

Freeze strong coffee to make great iced coffee. Regular cubes dilute too much. These last all summer long. Add some chocolate syrup for yummy mocha.

Many parents are getting into homemade baby food. It’s so much healthier than store bought and no preservatives. Make a big batch and freeze leftovers in ice cube trays for later thaw out three or four for a perfect baby serving.

Often it seems we only need small amounts of tomato paste or sauce in a recipe. Freeze the rest in ice cube trays for future use also works great for pesto. Make up a large batch with fresh basil from the garden and use for months.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO