Store lettuce with £1. 20 kitchen item to keep it fresh longer

With the sun shining, many of us are craving lighter meals such as salads or sandwiches. However, there's nothing more disappointing than preparing a meal only to find your lettuce has

wilted. Lettuce tends to go off quicker than many other vegetables due to its high water content, which can leak and attract bacteria. A common error people make when storing food,

especially lettuce, is keeping it in plastic bags or containers, creating a humid environment. This can cause it to spoil and even become mouldy. Fortunately, Susanne, a cook and founder of

New South Charm, has shared a tip on how to "keep lettuce crisp and fresher longer" and even save time prepping salads by storing it with kitchen roll. Susanne said: "Gather

the lettuce together and lay it on clean, dry paper towels [kitchen roll]. Then roll the lettuce in a bundle. Next, place the bundle of lettuce in a zip-top bag and keep crisper drawer of

your refrigerator." Kitchen roll will soak up any excess moisture that leaks from the lettuce or is in the environment, helping to keep the lettuce dry. Kitchen roll is just £1.19 in

Asda, making this an inexpensive option. If lettuce becomes damp, it will spoil at a faster rate and also ruin the texture. So, kitchen roll will also prevent salad leaves from becoming limp

and soggy, making them much more enjoyable to eat. However, before you store lettuce, it's crucial to give it a wash beforehand to remove any dirt lurking on the leaves. Washing

lettuce significantly reduces the risk of bacteria and germs, thus extending its freshness for up to a week rather than just a couple of days. Simply fill a bowl with cold water and let the

lettuce soak for five minutes. Some individuals prefer to add a dash of vinegar during the washing process due to its antibacterial properties, but this is entirely optional. Afterwards,

drain the lettuce and allow the leaves to rest on kitchen roll or a clean tea towel for a few minutes. It's crucial that the lettuce is thoroughly dry before you store it. Allow it to

air dry and then pat it down with some kitchen roll. Alternatively, a salad spinner can be used to speed up the drying process. Then, all that's left to do is wrap the lettuce in fresh

kitchen roll and store it in a container or sandwich bag. Storing lettuce in a glass container tends to create a humid environment which is beneficial, but plastic will also suffice as long

as it's stored with kitchen roll. Place it in the crisper drawer of your fridge, and you'll find your sandwiches or salads tasting much better as the lettuce will remain fresh for

a considerably longer period.