Clever uses for ice cube trays
We all have one or two ice cube trays lurking in our freezers, but if you’re only using them to make ice, you’re missing a trick.
These clever, inexpensive trays have endless uses for the home and kitchen.
Here’s a few of our favourites – will you give any a try?
Make your own flavoured water
You can add some new flavours to your water jug by freezing fruit with your ice cubes. Line the tray with your favourite berries, lemon, mint or lime then fill with water and freeze. Or, for an even more flavourful drink, freeze fresh fruit juice in the trays. Add one or two cubes to flat or soda water for your own light refreshing juice drink.
Freeze perfect-portion pesto
Having a few frozen ingredients on hand can make cooking easier throughout the week. Pesto is the perfect example – make a batch then freeze it in individual portions using ice cube trays. Then you can add the cubes to sauces or pastas when you need them for the fresh taste of pesto without the effort.
Make your own stock cubes
Chicken and vegetable stock also works a treat when you freeze them into an ice cube tray. You’ll have fresh stock on hand and can use only what you need when you’re cooking.
Try iced coffee
Now that the summer is here, iced coffee can sometimes be more refreshing than a piping hot coffee in the morning. Make your own by freezing coffee in ice cube trays. In the morning, add three or four cubes to a cup and pour over with milk for an iced latte, or simply leave a few cubes out to melt overnight for cold, fresh coffee first thing. It also makes cooking with coffee easy – they melt beautifully into chilli and even chocolate cake batter, too.
Freeze leftover wine
Instead of pouring out the last of an unfinished bottle of wine, try freezing it in ice cubes. You can quickly add them to cooking or use the wine cubes to make your own light and refreshing summer sangria.
Preserve fresh herbs
Avoid wasting leftover fresh herbs by freezing them for later. For heartier herbs, like rosemary, sage, thyme, and oregano, considering freezing and preserving them in olive oil.
Save excess egg whites
So, you just made a recipe that uses a lot of egg yolks. Whatever you do, don’t be quick to throw away the whites. Egg whites freeze really well and keep for a good few months.
Do you know any clever uses for ice cube trays? Share your wisdom in the comments below!
Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor
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