❁ Choose whole onions that are firm and heavy for their size, and have no scent. Look for a dry, papery outer skin. Avoid cut, bruised or sprouting onions.
No Tears!
✿ Chill onions before chopping - 30 minutes in the refrigerator or 10 minutes in the freezer.
✿ Use a very sharp knife.
✿ Start cutting at the stem end.
Kids Can!
■ Store whole onions in a cool, dark, dry place in an open bowl or bag for several weeks. They need air around them to slow spoilage.
■ Refrigerate peeled or cut onions in sealed containers or wrapped tightly. Use within 1 to 2 weeks.
Yellow onions are most common. They store well.
White onions are usually sharper in flavor.
Red onions are somewhat mild in flavor. Their red skin adds color to dishes.
Sweet onions have a mild flavor even when raw. They don't store as long.
When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:
❁ find and remove small rocks or other seeds and plant parts from dried beans.
❁ use a colander to rinse dry or canned beans under cool running water.
❁ wash or chop vegetables.
■ Store dry beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. Label with the date they were purchased and try to use within 1 year for best quality.
❁ Although each type of bean is slightly different, you can swap one type for another in most recipes. Use what you have or buy what is cheapest or on sale.
❁ You can replace 1 pound of meat with 2 cups of cooked beans in many recipes.
❁ Dried and canned beans are great food to keep on hand. You may want to stock up when they are on sale.
❁ Dried beans are usually cheaper than canned beans but take longer to cook. Canned beans are fully cooked and ready to use cold or heated.
When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:
❁ find and remove small rocks, seeds or plant parts from dry split peas.
❁ Rinse split peas in a colander under cool running water.
❁ Wash, peel or chop vegetables.
■ To maximize shelf life, store dry split peas in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. Stored well, they keep their quality for 2 years or longer.
■ Cooked split peas can be refrigerated for up to a week.
