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It’s Nothing to Wine About

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT No corkscrew? No problem! You can use a key, wire hanger, a pair of scissors or even a serrated knife as a stand-in for a corkscrew — just be careful not to cut yourself. Insert the key or other household item into the cork at a 45-degree angle and twist it like you would a corkscrew. After a couple of rotations, the cork should pop out. If you have a toolbox on hand, you can use a screwdriver to twist a long screw into the cork using the same motion as you would with a corkscrew, until there is only about an inch or so left showing. Then grip under the screw with the backside of a hammer and yank the cork out. Or put your foot into it. Insert the bottom of the wine bottle into the bottom of a flat-soled shoe — the corked end should be facing out. Smack the shoe’s sole against the wall until the cork comes out. When all else fails, you can use the handle of a wooden spoon to push the cork into the bottle instead of pulling it out. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT You can chill any bottle of wine or beer in under ten minutes. Wet a dishcloth or few sheets of paper towels. Shake off the excess water (but don’t wring it out) and wrap the cloth or paper towels around the bottle. Stick the bottle in the freezer for about ten minutes, and your bottle is perfectly chilled. This works on bottled beer in even less time.

Dry Buys: How to Store Flour & Other Dry Goods

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Once opened, rice should be stored in the pantry or cupboard in a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants. If stored properly, milled rice — for example, white rice — will keep almost indefinitely this way. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT If you don’t go through flour quickly, store it in the freezer or fridge, preferably in an airtight container. Flour will keep this way for at least one year . ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Granulated sugar stored in a covered container can last up to two years in the pantry after opening. Brown sugar can be stored in its original bag, or any type of re-sealable, moisture-proof plastic bag; it should be used within six months of purchase and opening. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Many of us store our coffee in the freezer, but you want to keep your grounds dry, so skip any storage spots exposed to moisture — that includes the refrigerator, freezer or a shelf above your stove. We recommend storing grounds in the pantry or cupboard instead, and using ground coffee within a week or two of opening and whole beans within a month .

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Refrigerated spaghetti sauce will keep for about seven to 10 days . For best quality, do not store spaghetti sauce in an opened metal can — refrigerate in a covered glass or plastic container after opening. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT In the pantry, commercial peanut butter may last six to 24 months unopened, or two to three months once opened . Natural peanut butter may last several months unopened, or up to a month once opened. Placing peanut butter in the fridge can extend its shelf life. Jam or jelly that has been continuously refrigerated will generally stay at its best quality for about one year. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Olives that have been continuously refrigerated will generally stay at their best quality for about 12 to 18 months . Open pickles taste best for one to two months if you refrigerate them, but should stay good for another month or two. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT The shelf life of apple cider vinegar is two years unopened , and one year once you’ve broken the seal on the bottle. You don’t have to refrigerate apple cider vinegar once it’s opened. Instead, store it in a pantry or cabinet, away from direct sunlight.

44 ROUSES J ANUARY | F EBRUARY 2022