Bet you didn’t know your kitchen colander could do this!

Sick of cleaning grease splatters off the stovetop after frying up your favourite dish? Prevent them altogether by inverting a large metal colander over the frying pan. The holes will let heat escape, but the colander will trap the splatters. Exercise caution, as the metal colander will be hot – use an oven mitt or tea towel to remove it.

Does your pasta get cold too fast after it’s been served up? To keep it warmer longer, heat the serving bowl first. Place a colander in the bowl, pour the pasta and water into the colander and let the hot water stand in the bowl for a few seconds to heat it. Pour out the water, add the pasta and sauce, and you’re ready to serve.

Don’t let the bathtub look like another messy toy box. After each bath, collect your child’s small bath toys in a large colander and store it on the edge of the tub. The water will drain from the toys, and they’ll be neatly stowed away for next time.

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Do your berries and grapes get mouldy before you’ve had the chance to enjoy them? To keep them fresh for longer, store them in a colander – not a closed plastic container – in the refrigerator. The cold air will circulate through the holes in the colander, keeping them fresh for days.

Here’s how to store fresh food so it lasts longer.

Removing the leaves of fresh parsley, thyme, oregano or coriander can be a tedious task. To make the job easier, thread the stems of the herbs through the colander’s holes and pull. Done! The leaves will stay inside the colander, and the stem will neatly tear away.

Going on a picnic or eating on the patio? Bring a colander or two. Invert a colander and place it over each dish to keep flies and other bugs away.

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Source: readersdigest.ca