O zip bag, also known as ziplock, is a great ally in any kitchen, isn't it? It is made of polyethylene, which is a type of non-toxic, flexible, transparent, waterproof and lightweight plastic. It is also airtight (zippered closure), very durable and resistant. Therefore, it is the ideal product to preserve food in the refrigerator.
But the zip bag it is a much more versatile product than it looks and can be a wild card on several occasions in your daily life, both in the kitchen and outside. For example, when you hurt and you don't have an ice pack at home. With ziplock, it is possible to solve this and other situations in a quick and practical way, as you will learn in this article!
# 1 - Marinating meats
Spicing food is another use of zip bag, mainly for marinade - which consists of soaking them in a mixture of condiments. This technique was used to preserve food and today it serves to change the texture and, mainly, to accentuate the flavor. But for the result to be satisfactory, it is necessary to pay attention to some tips.
Generally, marinade is best for seasoning meats. So first choose a quality piece and ensure a good cut. This is because marinade is a slow process, in which the season gradually enters the meat. And if the pieces are too thick, it may not "catch" anywhere.
Then mix it with some acidic food (like vinegar, wine or lemon juice), herbs or spices and fresh vegetables (like thyme, garlic, onion and celery). Then, cover the meat with this sauce and place in the zip bag. So you save on the amount of seasoning and still allow it to easily cover all the meat.
Finally, just put the zip bag in the fridge. The marinade time will change according to the type and size of the meat, but it lasts, on average, from 12 to 24 hours. For the most sensitive meats, this period can be reduced.
Golden tip: the ingredients of the sauce will depend on the meat and your preference. Fish, for example, look great with white wine or sake. Just be careful not to overdo the acidic seasonings and “cook” the meat before cooking.
# 2 - Transporting food and products
The practicality provided by the zip bag it is perfect for transporting food. It guarantees more protection and can even optimize the shelf life of food if you use it as a vacuum bag. But the kitchen is not the only environment in the house that benefits from the versatility of this product.
You can also use the airtight bag to transport hygiene products that tend to leak, such as oils and moisturizers, as well as any object that needs to be found faster. This way, you keep the bag always clean and organized.
Another option is to leave a zip bag in the emergency bag. Some examples are using the bag to store the phone in case of an unexpected rain, preventing it from getting wet, or as a container for some garbage that cannot be disposed of immediately.
# 3 - Prepare travel bags
The task of organize a suitcase it is not always very peaceful, even for those who do it frequently. After all, you need to think about all the clothes, shoes and accessories, as well as hygiene and beauty products, such as creams and makeup.
In order to streamline this process and ensure more practicality throughout the trip, the zip bag it is an excellent ally. You can use it, for example, to gain space in the suitcase: just put the combinations of clothes in large ziplocks, taking care to remove the air before closing.
In air travel, the zip bag can be used to follow ANAC's guidance: take medicines and liquids in a transparent and sealed plastic package. In addition to facilitating inspection, this avoids unpleasant surprises in case the container breaks during transport - something that is very common when the suitcase is dispatched.
# 4 - Use zip bag as ice pack
When you go to the doctor with any muscle pain, he usually recommends applying an ice pack on the spot to relieve symptoms. But if you don't have one at home, you can improvise with a zip bag and a kitchen sponge.
To do this, you just need to leave the sponge moist and then store it in the ziplock. Then, put the bag in the freezer and wait for a few minutes. That way, the sponge will be frozen and you can use it without making a mess.
# 5 - Save documents and souvenirs
As much as the world is already very digital, with most of the services being offered via the internet, in some situations we still need to keep paper documents. And we know that, over time, this becomes a problem, because this type of material can get dirty, stained or erased.
To solve this problem, you can store them in a zip bag. This will improve the conservation of your documents and avoid further concerns. You can also use the ziplock to store important memories, such as letters from friends, or to decorate the room with a clothesline of children's paintings and drawings.
As we have seen, the zip bag it can be used in various everyday situations, making your life a lot easier. So it is very important to purchase a quality product. And, especially, that it has the antibacterial protection shield - that you only find in the products of alpfilm - because this mechanism enhances the functionality of the ziplock.