How To Brown Butter For The Most Flavorful Recipes Ever

The white worms we occasionally spot in salmon fillets are parasites called roundworms. Though these worms are more noticeable in salmon due to the contrast in color, they can be found in many white fish too — they’re just camouflaged.

But we shouldn’t be freaking out.

Despite the fact that our knee-jerk reaction is to panic and consider things contaminated, roundworms are as natural to fish as insects are to fruits and veggies. A teeny white worm in your salmon is the equivalent to an aphid, thrip, or mite in your recently harvested greens. Yes, it’s still yucky AF, but totally natural.

The good news is that roundworms don’t pose health risks when fish is thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the FDA’s recommendation. When it comes to lightly preserved or raw fish — like sushi, sashimi, ceviche, or gravlax — as long as the product was commercially frozen to an internal temperature of -4 degrees Fahrenheit for at least seven days prior to preparation, parasites are terminated. (High five, fellow sushi lovers!)

Just be sure to avoid sketchy sushi joints; when you hear about people getting sick from eating at low-profile all-you-can-eat sushi spot, it’s because they aren’t handling their fish properly.

It is believed by some that wild-caught fish are more susceptible to roundworms due to the fact that they interact with an external ecosystem, while farmed fish are segregated from the wild and are fed pellets treated for parasites. This isn’t something *we* can confirm, but it’s food for thought nonetheless.

If you really want to feast on fish but paranoia has now gotten the best of you, there is an at-home method you can try: fish candling. This method has you place a bright light beneath a fillet of fish so you can see the shadows of any worms present. You can then grab some tweezers and remove, then discard of the worms yourself. (This method obviously isn’t for the faint of heart.)

We say, thoroughly cook your fish and pretend worms never happened!

1. Never keep your loaf in the fridge

Turns out, storing your bread in the fridge – where the temperatures are significantly cooler – can turn it stale quicker than if you kept it at room temp. Making use of a bread box or a cool, dry cupboard is much better for keeping it in tip-top shape, according to Hardin.

Additionally, she has a good tip for the slow bread-eaters out there: "Is sliced bread getting stale before you can finish the loaf? Pop it in the freezer! Take out a slice or two as needed, toast straight from frozen, and enjoy fresh-tasting bread every time."

2. Keep certain fruits and veggies separated

Certain fruits and veggies (like apples, avocados, and melons) naturally release ethylene gas, which can speed up the ripening process for other pieces of produce.

Hardin says the best practice to avoid expedited (and often unwanted) ripening is to store apples, avocados, and melons away from leafy greens, broccoli, and berries (which are especially ethylene-sensitive).

3. Wrap fresh herbs in damp paper towels

Herbs seem to be especially prone to wilting, no matter how you store them. To keep them crisp and flavorful for longer, Hardin wraps the bunches in damp paper towels before placing them in a resealable plastic bag or container in the refrigerator. So smart!

"If you try this and still don’t use them quickly enough, then try storing fresh-cut herbs in an ice cube tray with oil and freezing them into portions," she offers. "This works for fresh garlic, chili, and ginger, too."

4. Vinegar-bathe your fruits and veggies

"Washing your fruits and vegetables in a mix of water and vinegar will remove bacteria and disinfect the produce, keeping it fresher for longer," Hardin says.

To do a vinegar bath, you'll mix a 1:3 ratio of vinegar to water in a large bowl and let the produce sit for about 15 minutes. Then, rinse them off and let them dry completely before storing them away in their respective places around the kitchen.

5. Keep potatoes, onions, and garlic out of the fridge

Contrary to what you might be doing already, potatoes, onions, and garlic don't belong in the fridge. They thrive (and keep fresh) better in "cool, dark places," says Hardin.

Be mindful that storing potatoes and onions next to each other isn't optimal for freshness either, since onions release ethylene gas, like the apples, avocados, and melons mentioned before. Separate them, and enjoy fresh taters for a lot longer than you may be used to!

6. Add salt to your milk

Another trick Hardin offers is adding salt to your milk to keep bacteria from growing. The salt acts as a preservative!

"When you first open your milk, add a pinch of salt, give it a good shake, and place it in your refrigerator as soon as possible," she says. "Ensure you're also using the coolest areas of your fridge to keep your milk fresh."

7. Follow the first in, first out (FIFO) rule

Most of us who've worked in food service know about the FIFO rule: first in, first out. This means trying to use the oldest products first to avoid unnecessary food waste.

"When restocking your pantry or refrigerator, move older items to the front and place newer items in the back," Hardin says. "This encourages you to use up older ingredients first, reducing the likelihood of them expiring before they're used."

8. Remove groceries from their packaging

Unpacking certain groceries can help extend their shelf live by a lot.

"Removing foods from their original packaging into specialized storage solutions like produce savers can lengthen the shelf life such as strawberries, other fruits, and even cheese," Hardin says. "Additionally, try adding a paper towel to absorb the moisture from berries and salads."

Tips For Finding Thrifted Gift Ideas

I’d say keeping an open mind about your potential finds before venturing off to your local secondhand store is super important for executing these thrifted gift ideas.

If you’re shopping for a candle holder to gift with something too specific in mind, you may find yourself in an endless and unsuccessful search for the “perfect” piece. Instead, be open to combing through the knick-knack shelves and clothing racks – you never know what you may find!

Use the 10 thrifted gift ideas ahead to directly guide your gift-making journey, or let each one inspire you to find your own gift!

1. Use thrifted jars to put homemade jam, spice mixes, or snacks in.

Mason jars and other kitchen-y vessels are some of the most common items at the thrift. Pick up several this season, clean them off, then use them for holding homemade food goods to gift! You could even use some to put plant cuttings in.

2. Fill up thrifted vessels like mugs, vases, and bowls to pour candles in.

Making your own candles is actually super easy once you have the materials. Just melt some candle wax with some (or no) fragrance over a fixed wick that you've placed in a thrifted container. Everyone loves a cozy lil' candle!

3. Thrift and gift a pre-loved jewelry box alongside a new or handcrafted jewelry piece.

This thrifted gift idea will really impress, especially if you're able to find a unique jewelry box, or one in your giftee's personal style. As far as jewelry goes, you could make your own beaded necklace or earring set, or check out our favorite statement earringsfor inspiration.

4. Add matches and a striker to a small vessel for a unique match holder.

A box of 300 matches goes for about $10 online, and a dozen striker stickers are about $6. Get the most out of your dollar by thrifting a ton of small vessels (like a shot glass or shallow teacup dish), adding the matches and strikers to them, then gifting out multiple to friends and coworkers.

5. Thrift a velvet garment to cut into strips for handmade bows.

You can transform a $2 shirt into countless bows )for making hair clips and/or gift toppers) by following a simple bow-making tutorial. Sometimes you can even find unused gift bags and boxes in between the aisles to save on wrapping.

6. Thrift cookie tins for all the holiday treats you’ll make (and gift) this season.

Cookie tins and food storage containers are always hiding out at the thrift store. Snag a few and wash them thoroughly before stuffing them full of sweet treats (I always go with puppy chow/muddy buddies) to share! You can also use cookie tins and plastic containers as complete gift wrapping for anything small.

7. Find some candlestick holders or candelabras, clean them off, then gift them with a few candlesticks.

'Tis the era of candlesticks. Candelabras are hot right now, and you're bound to find some on the thrift store shelves. Add them to cart, clean them off, then gift them with a pair of candlesticks tied with a ribbon bow for a cute touch.

8. Thrift a picture frame and use it to hold a collage, a painting, or a photo that’s special to the recipient.

It's not hard to find old picture frames or prints that are still intact. Framing a photo you have of a favorite memory with your gift recipient or a place they love could really hit home and win their heart over! This example with pressed leaves and flowers is adorable, too.

9. If your giftee is a fashionista, scour the thrift store racks for some cool and unique pre-loved garments.

You could even package a few as a ‘style bundle.’ Bonus points if they’re winter-friendly! Just make sure you give everything a good wash before gifting them.

10. Use thrifted bottles to put homemade infused liquors in.

Just add any flavor combination you’d like (lemon + vodka, jalapeño + tequila, candy cane + vodka, coffee grounds + vodka) to some clean, thrifted, and airtight glass bottles – the more elegant the better – and let it steep for up to a month for a single-batch spirit.