What else you can do with an ice cube tray
Anyone who thought an ice cube tray was only useful for making ice cubes is mistaken. You can actually freeze all kinds of ingredients in it, which you can then easily conjure back up from the freezer later.
Stock or gravy
Have you spent half a day laboring over homemade stock or gravy? Pour whatever is left into an ice cube tray and freeze it. When you need it, use a few cubes to make gravy, soup or a stew.
Wine or beer
This tip comes from none other than TV chef Nigella Lawson. Is there wine or beer left over after an evening of entertaining and are you worried that the open bottle will end up sitting in the fridge for far too long? Freeze the leftovers as ice cubes and use them in dishes that could use a splash of cheerfulness.
Coffee or tea
Are you a fan of iced coffee? Freezing coffee lets you make iced coffee without the drink becoming watery. It works with all types of coffee: from a strong espresso to a large pot of filter coffee. With or without milk and sugar. You can also do this with tea when you want to make iced tea yourself.
Coconut milk and condensed milk
Coconut milk is an essential ingredient for making many curries and soups. Do you need less than the whole can or carton and think it would be a shame to throw away what’s left? Freezing it keeps it good for months. The same trick also works well for condensed milk, which is often used in sweet tarts and tropical desserts.
Fresh fruit and edible flowers
Would you like to easily steal the show with a special drink on the table? Put fresh fruit (such as strawberries, blackberries, berries and cherries), and optionally some soft herbs and flowers, into an ice cube tray. Pour water, syrup or alcohol over them and freeze. For a quick smoothie or coulis, you can also use puréed fruit.
Olive oil and herb butter
Are you crazy about fresh herbs, but do they quickly wilt on the counter or in the fridge? Hardy herbs such as thyme, rosemary, sage and oregano freeze perfectly well with a layer of oil or melted butter. Use them for frying, braising or stewing.
Tip 1: Worried that your condensed milk will end up tasting like stock, or vice versa? Preferably use two (or three) ice cube trays in contrasting colors: one for sweet ingredients and one for savory ingredients.
Tip 2: Are the ingredients frozen and would you like to freeze other ingredients? Remove the cubes from the tray and store them in a freezer bag with a label stating what’s inside. That way, you can use the tray for something else.
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