There’s nothing better than a good selection of cheeses and sausages. But what do you do with the leftovers? The problem is not so much the time, but the cold of the refrigerator, which dries them out, takes away their flavor and ends up sending them to the trash.
If this has happened to you more times than you would like, there is a very easy trick that you can start using today to prevent them from drying out again. Read on to find out how to keep your cheese and cold meats in perfect condition.
The trick to keeping cheese and cold meats from drying out
Storing cold meats and cheese properly is an art form, especially once they’ve been cut. This is where many of us fail, as we tend to resort to quick fixes such as cling film or aluminium foil, but these are not the best options. If you really want these foods to stay fresh and delicious, you need an airtight container.
Why a container? It’s simple: as it is a closed container, it minimizes contact with the air, which is the main cause of sausages and cheeses drying out or developing mold. With this method, you not only extend their shelf life, but also preserve their flavor and texture almost intact.
Other tricks to preserve cheese like an expert
Cheese, being a “living” food, requires care to preserve its flavor and freshness. In addition to airtight containers, there are other effective methods you can apply depending on the type of cheese you have.
- Use waxed or baking paper: This type of paper is ideal for soft and semi-hard cheeses. Wrap the cheese tightly, but leave some space for it to breathe.
- Wet cloth method: If you have aged cheeses or cheeses with surface mold, wrapping them in a slightly damp cotton cloth is an excellent way to preserve their freshness.
- Preserve it in olive oil: Cut the cheese into pieces and immerse it in extra virgin olive oil. This method preserves and enhances its flavor, especially if you add aromatic herbs such as rosemary or thyme.
- Control moisture with chickpeas or rice: If you prefer to use glass cheese dishes, add some dried chickpeas or a little rice to the base. This will absorb excess moisture and help delay the appearance of mold.
Whichever method you choose, remember that the cheese should always be refrigerated to slow down the curing process.
And one last tip: before eating it, let it stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. That way you can enjoy all its flavor and texture as if you had just bought it.
Practical tips for storing sausages
Cold meats require special care to maintain their flavor and texture, and there are several ways to achieve this depending on your needs.
- Transparent plastic and a protective cloth: Wrap the cold meat in plastic wrap and cover it with a clean cotton cloth. This helps prevent it from drying out prematurely and protects it from air and light.
- Cover the cut of the ham with its own fat: If you have a leg of ham, use the fat that you remove when cutting to cover the exposed part. Then wrap it in plastic wrap to prevent it from losing moisture and retain all its flavor.
- Coat the cut with olive oil: Before storing a cut, apply a little olive oil to the cut to prevent it from drying out or going rancid. If possible, hang it with the cut side down to minimize contact with the air.
To fully enjoy the flavor and texture of the sausage, let it stand at room temperature for an hour before eating. This allows it to regain its juiciness and natural aroma.
