Seven ways to turn your ice-cube tray into your kitchen's secret weapon this summer
Mel Hunter
Published: Invalid Date,
AS temperatures rise, an ice-cube tray is about to become your kitchen's secret weapon.
Clever tricks will help you beat food waste, save money and keep cool all summer long with no fancy equipment required.
Here are some to try . . .
LATTE LOVE: Freeze leftover filter coffee in trays for instant iced coffees. Drop into milk with a drizzle of caramel sauce, if you have it, for a barista-style treat that costs pennies.
QUICK DINNER: If you have a little curry paste or pesto left over from a mealtime, put the rest into your ice-cube tray and freeze.
For fast future tea-times, you have instant curry paste — just add coconut milk and meat — or for pesto, add to hot pasta with a drizzle of olive oil.
If you have chimichurri or salsa verde left over after a steak dinner, freeze the remaining mixture in your ice tray and drop into soups as a topper.
TOP TOMS: We all have a few leftover cherry tomatoes and instead of letting them go off and in the bin, pop them into your ice-cube tray.
You can grate the frozen cherry tomatoes over a fresh salad or burrata in future.
STOCK UP: Reduce homemade stock by half and freeze concentrated cubes. Two cubes plus hot water equals instant flavour boost for risottos or gravy.
GRAPE IDEA: If you had a boozy bank holiday, don't bin those wine bottles just yet. Pour the dregs into your ice-cube tray and freeze, ready to add flavour to your next bolognese.
HEALTHY HIT: Lemons and ginger going off in the fridge? Blend the juice and ginger together and freeze the mixture in your tray.
Busy mum unveils milk ice cube hack for tea - but people can't decide whether it's genius or odd
Pop the cubes into hot water when you next feel ill, for an immune-boost healthy drink.
TRAY TRICK: To avoid freezer burn, get yourself an ice-cube tray with a lid. Ikea is selling a pack of two for just £3 at the moment.
All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability
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