At a time when consumer prices are on the rise, all manner of money-saving tips are welcome to help reduce the cost of food shopping. TikTok users are sharing a host of ways to help make the most of their food, right down to the last scraps, to help them get more from less. Here's a look at three of TikTok's top trends for food frugality.
When cutting is key
From slicing and chopping to dicing, sometimes the way you cut can make all the difference in reducing fruit and vegetable waste. On this front, TikTok is on hand to teach you, for example, how to slice a bell pepper lengthwise -- i.e. from the little green stalk to the bottom, following the natural features of the different parts of the pepper. Some people tend to slice bell peppers in the other direction, by cutting off the cap, which leads to more waste. Another, even more effective technique is to push on the stem with both thumbs to break it off, leaving a gaping hole in the top of the pepper and pulling out whitish parts to be removed before eating.
When it comes to fruit, cutting mango can also generate a lot of waste if it's not done correctly. The trick for wasting less flesh (and the fastest solution when you don't feel like peeling) is to cut the mango in half, following the shape of the stone. Then, slice the flesh into squares with a knife without piercing the skin. Finally, turn the skin inside out and -- hey presto! -- as if by magic, small cubes of fruit appear!
Upcycle waste by making broth or stock
Perhaps the most common tip touted on the Chinese social network is upcycling vegetable, fruit and mushroom peelings into a broth or stock. The waste is simmered in a large volume of water, and then seasoned with salt and pepper. After two hours of simmering on a low heat, a flavorful liquid is obtained that can be consumed cold (depending on what you put in) or used as stock to make risotto or for making gravy with the juices of cooked meats.
Preserving foods through dehydration
One particularly popular technique on TikTok is dehydrating fruit, vegetables, herbs and more, although you have to invest in a domestic dehydrator (cheaper models can be picked up for around $50). TikTokers get busy turning the peelings of young garlic shoots into flakes to sprinkle on different dishes, for example. They also prepare snacks by drying banana, mango or apple slices. If you don't want to invest in such a device, you can also use your oven to dehydrate foods. This basically equates to making chips, but with strawberries, for example!
