What to do with those left-over pieces of fruit
Apples
Stewing apples in a little water is a great way of prolonging their life. Stewed apples can be used as a base for many meals and desserts, or frozen for future use:
- Add them as a topping for your favourite breakfast cereal
- Serve stewed apples with a dollop of yoghurt or custard for a healthy dessert
- Add them to cakes or muffins for a delicious warm treat
- Bake them with a crumble topping for a warming winter dessert
Apricots
Once apricots have lost their firmness they should be used immediately as they perish at a rapid rate. Some ideas for using apricots are:
- Poach them to use as a dessert or on your favourite breakfast cereal
- Stewed apricots will also add extra sweetness to stews and casseroles
- You can use them in salads for colour and sweetness
- Puree poached apricots to make a compote
- Apricots can also be frozen for use later
Berries
- Add to porridge, muesli or yoghurt
- Blend in a smoothie
- Make your own compote by simmering cut up fruits with the juice from oranges, and then mix through yoghurt or serve on top of porridge
- Add to wholemeal muffins
Bananas
If they’re just ripe:
- Snack on as they are
- Grill on the BBQ
- Slice and add to yoghurt as a dessert
- Freeze on a stick as a healthy treat on a hot day
- Chop up and add to fruit salad just before serving
If they’re over-ripe:
- Mash and add to homemade wholemeal muffins or pancakes
- Use in scones, muffins or a healthy banana loaf
- Freeze for a day or two and then blend with cinnamon and possible nuts, to make a healthier “ice cream”
