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Top tips

Try our top tips and ideas for making the most of the food we buy. Find out what types of food can be frozen and how to make your fridge a true food saving hero. Why not share your own tips to reduce food waste with fellow Love Food Hate Waste supporters.

Our tips for Apples

  • Bad apple!

    Submitted by Womens Institute,

    There's always one bad apple that spoils the barrel, so keep an eye on your fruit, seperate fruit which is ripening up more quickly than the others.

  • A glut of cooking apples?

    If you've got a glut of cooking apples, cut them into quarters, core and peel them. To prevent apples turning brown whilst you are peeling them, squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a bowl of water and drop the pieces of apple into it. Drain, quickly pack the apples in freezer bags or plastic containers and freeze them. To use, put the frozen fruit in a pan with some sugar, add a very small amount of water and cook as normal.

  • Make lollies

    Make lollies from leftover smoothies, apple juice or orange juice. You can buy plastic lolly making moulds to use in the freezer.

  • Buried treasure for little Pirates

    Submitted by Alice Squires, Warrington

    If you have a few odd pieces of fruit which need eating up, slice them into the correct number of bowls for your little pirates and smother in freshly made custard (instant, tin or carton will do, but work out more expensive and it's easier to get a specific amount if you make it up yourself). My children love hunting for the buried treasure so much that they told me I should sell the recipe! You can easily adapt this idea with a few sweets, chocolate buttons or whatever else you have to hand...

  • Leftover mincemeat, nuts and fruit

    Stir a handful of chopped nuts and dried fruits into leftover mincemeat, and then use to fill cored apples or halved, cored pears. Dot with butter; add a splash of fruit juice and bake until tender.

  • Storing Apples

    Submitted by Love Food Hate Waste,

    Store apples in the fridge for freshness and quality. Keeping them in the fridge in a loosely tied plastic bag will also help stop them shriveling up. Add to the fruit bowl to bring to room temperature prior to eating, although I bet we all know someone who loves the teeth chilling, ‘fresh from the fridge’ taste!

  • Succulent Apples

    Submitted by Love Food Hate Waste,

    Apples stay fresher and more succulent in the fridge if kept in a loosely tied plastic bag.

  • Why not make some apple sauce!

    Submitted by Womens Institute,

    Peel and chop the apples, and place in a saucepan with a little water, lemon juice and castor sugar (maybe some cinnamon too). Cook gently for about 15 mins, stirring regularly. Then whisk or blend smooth. It's lovely with pork but can also be a dessert with cream (fool) or ice-cream.

  • Cooked apple - great for children’s desserts

    Submitted by Womens Institute,

    Simmered apple slices in a little water with some brown sugar and honey and raisins. You could also use maple syrup. Can be eaten hot or cold.

  • Swiss muesli

    Submitted by Womens Institute,

    Use slightly soft apples and grate them down to the core. Add a small handful of porridge oat flakes, nuts and dried fruit. Pour milk over and leave in the fridge overnight. By morning the milk will have been soaked up, the grated apple gone brown, and just add yogurt and perhaps a spoonful of honey and enjoy a really healthy breakfast.

  • Spice up your porridge!

    Submitted by Womens Institute,

    Add grated or small bits of apple to your porridge with a little cinnamon while cooking to add extra flavour.

  • Baked apple dessert

    Submitted by Womens Institute,

    Core and stuff an apple with dried fruit, brown sugar and a little butter and cinnamon. Then bake in the oven for about an hour. A little water in the dish keeps them moist.

  • Daily Fruit

    Celebrity tip by Anthea Turner

    A great way of getting children to have their daily fruit portion and of using up leftover fruit is to invest in a smoothie maker. These make great breakfast and snack options

  • Soft apples or apple sauce?

    Celebrity tip by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, chef

    Approach your store cupboard and fridge with an open mind: might those softening apples be pureed for a sauce?

  • Be a good fridge manager

    Submitted by Maresa Bosano, Hastings

    Instead of planning meals in advance I base what I eat on what needs using up first in the fridge, e.g. any leftovers and fruit or veg that's looking a bit dodgy. I've made up some really tasty recipes by just combining random ingredients e.g. in soups try beetroot, pumpkin and apple.

  • Bruised apples

    Submitted by Caroline Marson, Cookery Advisor,

    If apples have bruised areas, simply cut off, and grate the remaining apple into salads or cut into wedges and give to kids as an apple snack.

  • Setting jam

    Submitted by Caroline Marson, Cookery Advisor,

    When making jam add one or two apples to the mixture, the pectin in apples helps the jam to set.

  • 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.

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