Keeping cut fruit fresh

[warpig3]

As per my question below about finger food, I am going to give her grated/sliced pear and apple.

Obviously she wont eat a whole lot so is there any way to keep the cut fruit fresh (and not going brown) in the fridge until the next day?

Piglet is 7 and a half months if that is any help.

Again, many thanks
warpig & piglet

[mccfluff]

if you rub cut side with a little lemon juice this will stop it going brown

[Jugglering]

The only way I know of stopping an apple from going brown is to dip it in some lemon juice, but that probably won't appeal to piglet's taste buds just yet.... why don't you share the apple or pear between you ? Or you could give her a quarter of the fruit and you could lightly cook the rest of it (plus possibly another piece) to mix with some yoghurt or mashed banana for dessert after a different meal.

[puddicat]

u could chop and put in apple juice in a well sealed container!!!

[Jugglering]

Hey, brilliant idea puddicat ! I never even thought of that... I wonder if it would work if one put it in a bowl of simple plain water ?????

[puddicat]

I know that u can make a sugar syrup, but that would be to sweet for a baby,i think its something to do with the acids in the fruit juice thak keeps it a bit fresher!!!

[natalie_1982]

You could chop the whole lot and freeze it in seperate tubs or bags so you only need defrost what you need?

[warpig3]

Wow, thank you all for the quick responses they are all brilliant. I can dip the cut bit in lemon juice then just cut it off to get to the rest.

Of course I could eat the rest of the fruit, but that just hadn't crossed my mind - brain is mush at the moment.

Now, heres the really embarrassing question, juggerling, you mentioned cooking it and adding it to other things - how do you cook apple, seriously (dont laugh, well ok then, laugh) I have never done it, how embarrassing is that???

Warpig hangs head in shame :-)

[Jugglering]

Ahhh ok.... well, apple juice certainly sounds a good idea then! Piglet can, I am sure, drink a little apple juice at her age..... wonder when she can start learning about curries ? (only joking warpig lol)

[warpig3]

You see Nat, I never even thought of freezing it, d'oh! If anyone sees a spare brain lying around could you let me know as I seem to be missing one!

[natalie_1982]

I batch cook and freeze all of Emilia's food and pear and apple freeze well.

To cook apple I chop it all up and add a few tablespoons of water to a saucepan then cover and simmer for about 4-5mins and the fruit should be soft enough for her to eat - obviously check how soft it is though and let it cool LMAO (you were the one who said you had baby brains, I'm just covering all eventualities).

If you make it into a puree though the apple can be a bit sharp so I mix with banana or mango.

[Jugglering]

Hey, don't be embarrassed warpig... if you've never cooked a particular thing before, you're not likely to know how to do it, are you ?

Apples - since you are buying them for you and piglet, then they will probably NOT be the cooking (shart, tart) apples like Bramleys but more likely to be the sweeter type like red delicious or gala or russets. The skin on these dessert apples is usually fine for eating (not too tough) so there's no need to peel them but if you think that piglet won't be able to handle the skin, then peel the apples. Cut the flesh off in large chunks, avoiding the central core and pop these chunks into a saucepan. Add a tiny amount of water (or butter) and simply heat the apple, stirring well but not letting it burn or brown. After about 5 minutes, the chunks should be nice and soft. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon if you don't want the extra juices and allow to cool before serving.

[Jugglering]

*sharp* not shart.... lol

[warpig3]

Awwww thanks nat and juggerling, that is so simple!!!!

Will get to it straight away.

Many thanks everyone, gotta to for now, someone is stirring.

[Clanad]

Or...take maybe 4 or 5 Vitamin C tablets (500 mg) and dissolve them in just a little (1/2 cup) of natural, unsweetend apple juice and sprinkle the mixture over the apples. (you can use water, if you'd like) The citric acid in the Vitamin C works well for your project. This amount will work for about 3 to 5 apples, depending on size. (What have you done with warpig 1 and 2 ?)...

[warpig3]

Good morning my darling Clanad, dont know if it is am or pm with you but lovely to see you! thank you for your suggestion, will look at them all. - warpig 1 & 2 = SAUSAGES!!!!!! DON'T EAT WILD BOAR!!!!!


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