Instead of a recipe this week here are some handy tips:

1. Use pillow cases to store various food types in a chest freezer e.g. red for beef, blue for lamb. Stops things getting lost down the bottom and makes it easier to find what you need. Use old ones or buy some cheap brightly coloured ones.
2. Freeze whole fresh chillies in a ziplock bag so you always have them on hand. Chopped lemon grass also freezes well.
3. Peel half a kilo or so of fresh ginger then chop finely in food processor. Freeze in ice cube trays, tip into a ziplock bag or container and freeze. Perfect for stir-fries and marinades.
4. Make a batch of Pesto during summer when fresh basil is available. Freeze in ice cube trays, then store in a ziplock bag to use over the winter months.
5. Passionfruit pulp also freezes well in ice cube trays.
6. So does tomato paste. Avoids throwing out half a jar because it’s grown fur in the fridge!
7. Save hotel shower caps and use to cover large bowls and platters in the fridge. Easier than plastic wrap which doesn’t always stick to things. Toss in the washing machine then dry on the line and use again.
8. Don’t throw away leftover or stale cornflakes, savoury crackers, corn chips, rice crackers, potato chips or other savoury snacks. Blitz them all together in the food processor and keep the crumbs in a jar. Use to make Healthy Oven-Baked KFC.
9. Wash salad greens, spin dry, then store in the salad spinner in the fridge where they will stay crisp and fresh for several days. My favourite salad spinner is made by Zyliss and I have two of them.
10. Freeze whole bananas in their skin to use (peeled) for banana cake or smoothies.
11. Freeze whole green grapes and use to chill a glass of white wine when the weather is very hot, without making it watery.
12. People often ask how I calculate food quantities for large crowds. For a two hour drinks and nibbles party I allow 10 pieces of finger food per person. Some will eat less but others will make up for it! If guests are likely to stay longer than two hours or you have a lot of young guests – especially men with hollow legs – allow extra!