Kitchen tips

Storing spices.

Although spices can keep almost infinitely, they tend to loose aroma and flavour after 4-6 months.  To make keeping track of the freshness of spices easier use a post-it note (a small paper and scotch tape would do just as well).  Record the date of purchase on the paper and glue it inside the spice jar.

Next time you will be using this spice, you will know how old it is.

Tip: Anya Sokolovskaya
Photography: Eric Gloutnay

Best way to clean Portobello mushrooms.

The gills of portobellos are edible, however they tend to colour the food by giving it an unpleasing dark hue.  To clean the mushroom use a spoon.  Simply scrape the gills out and wipe the cap clean.  Be careful not to press too hard on the spoon - mushroom caps are fragile.

Tip: Anya Sokolovskaya
Photography: Eric Gloutnay