Tuna is an expensive investment for dinner, so it's important to pick a cut that's both fresh and delicious. If steaks have been pre-cut, look for flesh that is moist, translucent, and shiny. Though color can vary, most types of tuna will possess a deep red or pink. Avoid grey or brown meat at all costs and ask your fishmonger to cut directly from an entire filet, if possible.
If your tuna is cut into steaks or filets, they can be patted dry, wrapped, and stacked in plastic wrap. Tuna has one of the shortest shelf lives among fish, so it should typically be consumed within 24 hours of purchasing.
Tuna is effectively frozen as an ice block. Place an individual steak or filet into a zip-top plastic bag, fill with water, and squeeze out the remaining air. The tuna can remain frozen in the ice block for up to three months. Note: most grocery store tuna has been previously frozen. If this is the case, you do not want to refreeze it.
Cooked beans can easily be placed into pre-portioned freezer bags for easy storage. Be sure to date the plastic bags with a permanent marker and consume within six months.
Remove your frozen bags from the freezer and place directly in a saucepan with warm water. You can also run the bag under warm water in the sink. Toss some of the frozen beans into soups and stews, as they will immediately defrost due to the dish's high temperatures.
Dried beans come in all different colors, shapes, and sizes, though their storage methods stay consistent across the board. Beans should be transferred to a food-safe container with a sealing lid. If beans are left in their original packaging, they'll dry out faster. Place the container in a cool, dry place that is away from any sunlight. You'll want to cook them within a year for ultimate freshness, though some beans have known to last for years.
Tip
When Is New Year's Eve?
New Year's Eve is on Dec. 31. This year, New Year's Eve falls on a Sunday.
Tip
What Is New Year's Eve?
New Year's Eve is the last day of the year on the Gregorian calendar.
Tip
How to Celebrate New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is typically celebrated with a party that culminates in a countdown. Many people drink champagne, dance, enjoy music, and light fireworks. Various "good luck foods" like black-eyed peas and grapes are also served to ring in the new year. In the U.S., the old Scottish song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung as partygoers exchange hugs and kisses at midnight.
Tip
Who Celebrates New Year's Eve?
Anyone can celebrate New Year's Eve if they follow the Gregorian calendar.
Tip
Why Do We Celebrate New Year's Eve on Dec. 31?
Dec. 31 is the last day of the Gregorian calendar. It precedes Jan. 1, the first day of a new year (New Year's Day).
The best way to store fish is over ice. Remove the fish from its original packaging, rinse under cold water, and dry with paper towels. Set fish on a cooling rack and place inside a container filled with crushed ice. The ice should reach just beneath the fish, but shouldn’t touch it. Cover the container, rack, and fish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in the fridge. If the fish is stored longer than 24 hours, be sure to swap out the melted ice with a new batch. Ideally, any fresh fish should not be stored for more than two days.
Some fish can be frozen for up to year (with three months as the standard), but its freshness depends entirely on its exposure to air. To limit this from taking place, you should first clean the fish, wrap it in aluminum foil or freezer paper, and place it in a freezer bag. Press down on the bag before closing to eliminate any excess air.
Thawing frozen fish is quite an easy process. Simply leave it in the refrigerator overnight or place the wrapped fish in a bowl of cold water. Don’t microwave the fish, as some sections will cook while others are continuing to thaw.
Cinco de Mayo
