Reviving tips

Some foods, that you might have earmarked for the bin, can be revived and given a new lease of life. Read on and please tell us your ideas too.

• Potato Peel Crisps

  Submitted by Faye, Essex

  keep hold of potato peelings, sprinkle with salt, pepper, chilli or whatever flavour takes your fancy and pop them in the oven. Free crisps the kids will love!

• Leftover yoghurt

  Submitted by Caroline Marson, Cookery Advisor,

  Add leftover yoghurt to fruit smoothies and juices.

• Refresh stale bread

  Submitted by Caroline Marson, Cookery Advisor,

  To refresh stale bread rolls or loaves, soak the bread under running water. When really sodden reheat in a moderate oven until crisp and golden on the outside and light in the middle.

• Sandwich crusts

  Submitted by Caroline Marson, Cookery Advisor,

  Save sandwich crusts in a plastic bag in the freezer until you have accumulated enough to make breadcrumbs. They can be used for toppings on casseroles, stuffing’s, or pie crusts combined with melted butter or for sweet crusts, add a little sugar and cinnamon.

• Uses for apples

  Submitted by Caroline Marson, Cookery Advisor,

  Apples are good added to pickles and chutneys and eaten with cheese and cold meats.

• Using up apples

  Submitted by Caroline Marson, Cookery Advisor,

  Apples can be frozen in slices after they have been quickly cooked in boiling water. Freeze in a single layer then pack into bags once frozen. Use the frozen apples to make into apple cake or apple sauce.

• Yoghurt for cakes and scones

  Submitted by Caroline Marson, Cookery Advisor,

  Add any leftover yoghurt to a cake or scone mixture instead of milk.

• 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)!

• 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.

• Garlic bread fingers - use up those crusts!

  Submitted by Andrea, North east

  Use the crusts from a loaf toast one side, spread other with garlic butter and toast under the grill. cut into 4 fingers and serve.