Fridge Tips

Keep the fridge at a cool 1 - 5 degrees and chilled food will stay fresh for longer. Our most perishable (and often most expensive) food is kept in the fridge, so keep tabs on their use-by dates - the freezer may be the option for food we won't get round to eating in time.

• Pasta portions

  Submitted by Jenny, Stanstead

  If you don't have any kitchen scales, measure shaped pasta in handfuls. Two handfuls per adult is just right.

• Leftover fish

  wrap well any leftover fish and chill in the fridge. It's best eaten within a day of cooking.

• 14 day fresh lettuce

  Submitted by GARY FOX, LONDON U.K.

  When you get your lettuce home, remove from plastic wrapping, wash and drain. Take a clean T-towel and soak it under a cold tap, then ring it out. Discard any leaves from the lettuce, that are slightly brown and wrap it in the T-towel. Place in the fridge. You will find that this will keep fresh for an amazing time! (A life saver for those living alone)!

• Freezing milk

  Submitted by Ilaria, Paris

  I regularly freeze semi-skimmed milk - fresh or long life - e.g. when we have half finished bottles or bought too much and we are off for a few days. It also means that we can have our much needed cup of tea when we get back to an otherwise empty fridge, whatever the time of day or night!

• Prepare once for meals twice

  Submitted by Chris Clarke, Cardiff

  Cooked too much? Don't eat it all tonight you greedy thing! Dish up two plates, cling film one of them and place in the fridge for tomorrow. Sounds simple because it is, and it saves you time too.

• Keeping radishes fresh

  Submitted by Zoë , Leeds

  Home grown and organic radishes can have a shorter shelf life than the usual supermarket varieties so I take the leaves off mine and put them in a jar of cold water in the fridge. This keeps them fresh for weeks.

• Stayfresh Longer Bags

  Submitted by Liz Battram, Birmingham

  Stayfresh longer bags come in 3 sizes and are available from Lakeland Ltd. They are impregnated with a stone powder that absorbs ageing factors in fruit and veg, thereby increasing their storage life. They aren't cheap (about 25p per bag depending on the size) but can be used for most fruits, veg and salad stuff. And they really do work - a lettuce will keep for 3 weeks stored in one of these bags in the fridge, especially useful for single people who wouldn't eat a whole lettuce before it goes off. So, because less food is wasted they do save you money. I have recommended them to friends and colleagues.

• Crisp celery

  Submitted by Megan, Minnesota

  Wrap celery in foil and store in the fridge to keep it fresher for longer.

• Keep shopping cool in the car

  Submitted by Louise, Banbury

  If your car boot is usually empty, keep a large cool bag or box in there (with some spare resuable shopping bags!). When packing your groceries in the shop, put all the chilled items together in the same bag, then pop the bag into the cool box. Having all the cold things together will still keep them cool without an ice pack for a while. The shopping stays cool until you get home - which on a warm day could make quite a difference.

• Incorporate surplus food into your next week's menu

  Submitted by C. Lawrance, Chalfont St Giles

  In planning my 2-week menus, I incorporate any ingredients that are already in my fridge/freezer/cupboards to ensure they are used and not just sitting there.