WITH the cost of living crisis continuing to squeeze household budgets, many Brits are searching for ways to stretch their money further.
From cooking from scratch to batch cooking, quick and simple tips are becoming essential to ensure families don’t go without.
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One such money-saving hack has gone viral on TikTok, with a mum known as ‘currywithatwist’ sharing her clever trick to make homemade chips or fries that can last for months – all for just 8p.
In her video, she wrote: “You will never buy store-bought chips or fries once you do this.”
She then demonstrated how to turn an “8p 2kg bag of potatoes” into a freezer stash of homemade chips.
The 2kg bags of potatoes are currently available for 8p at Aldi, Asda, and Morrisons.
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The mum began by peeling the potatoes and slicing them into chip shapes.
To prevent the potatoes from browning while cutting, she placed them straight into water to soak.
Next, she boiled them in a pot of water with vinegar and salt.
Once the potatoes were cooked, she drained the water and fried them in oil until they were “80 per cent cooked” or, as she noted, “once you see the potatoes floating.”
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She then removed them from the oil, placed them on a tray, and flash-froze them.
Flash freezing is a method of rapidly freezing food to preserve it.
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The mum explained that this involves placing the chips unwrapped on a tray in the freezer for about 20 minutes, or until the surface hardens.
After that, she transferred them into separate plastic bags, ready to store in the freezer for “up to several months.”
The video quickly gained traction, racking up 914,700 views in just two days.
More than 575 people took to the comments to share their thoughts and experiences.
One person wrote: “Been doing this for years but I don't fry them, just freeze them.”
The mum responded: “Part-frying them is better as they will be crispier once you re-fry or air fry them again before serving.”
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Another shared their own tip: “I did the same with broccoli and carrots and potatoes, and parsnips all at 8p a packet.
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"Blanch them in boiling water for 5 mins, then into an ice bath, bag up, then freeze. Sunday roast sorted till Xmas.”
When someone asked, “What is flash freeze?” the mum clarified: “You put them in a tray, then freeze them till hardened before putting them in a Ziplock by bulk and keeping them in the freezer.”
Fridge or cupboard? The essential food storage guide
Foods must be stored correctly to keep them fresh and prevent the spread of bacteria.
Nutrition expert Birgit Brendel said bread will last longer when stored in the fridge or freezer.
However, this can compromise the flavour.
Storing in ceramic or pottery containers is an alternative that allows for air to flow easily and slow the growth of mould.
Robert Morris, managing director of food safety consultants, Complete Food Safety, revealed the best place to store fresh fruit and vegetables.
He said salad foods should be stored in the fridge drawer, but away from anything grown in the soil such as carrots, parsnips and beetroot.
Tomatoes are an exception to the rule as fridges can alter the natural ripening process and diminish their taste.
He also advised against putting avocados and bananas in the fridge as this will cause them to blacken quicker.
