In the kitchen, a wide variety of essential duos stand out: for example, salt and pepper, vinegar and oil, aluminum foil and plastic wrap. The latter is a basic in homes to facilitate the preservation of many foods, whether in the refrigerator or freezer. But the truth is that there are some transparent paper tricks that you probably don’t know.
You’ll be surprised to learn that plastic wrap not only keeps your leftovers in the fridge, it can also slow down the ripening of a popular fruit, help you cook the perfect poached eggs, and save time making boiled potatoes. Do you want to know how?
Bananas are a widely consumed fruit in Spain, which also provides many health benefits and is delicious. However, they have the disadvantage that they become pockmarked quickly.
To keep them in good condition for longer, you should not put them in the refrigerator, but rather keep them at room temperature, preferably away from a window where the sun shines on them or a heat source such as a radiator. Additionally, if you wrap the tip of the banana bunch with plastic wrap, you will slow down its ripening. This is because they release ethylene from their tail and, by covering it, they will lack oxygen, preserving themselves better.
Another useful use for transparent paper is to use it to make poached eggs. In a glass or cup, put a piece of plastic wrap and spread it with oil so that the egg does not stick. Then, break the egg inside, taking advantage of the space in the glass or cup. Now is the time to add salt and pepper if you wish.
Close the plastic wrap, leaving the egg inside like a kind of bag. You can tie it with a knot or a clothespin. Then, cook the egg for about 4 or 5 minutes with the water to boil. Finally, you just have to untie the transparent paper and serve your poached egg.
Potatoes are a very versatile food in the kitchen, but cooking them usually takes a long time. Shorten this process by cooking them in the microwave with the help of plastic wrap.
Choose potatoes that are not too large, so they cook well. Wash them and, without peeling or cutting them, make a series of holes in them with the help of a knife, fork or toothpick. This will prevent the tuber from exploding in the microwave.
Then, wrap each potato with transparent paper, turning it about three times. Finally, put them in the microwave. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the potato, as well as whether you add just one or several. In general, it will range between 4 minutes for small potatoes and 8 for larger ones.