Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Helpful Kitchen Tips


  • Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato- based sauces. No more stains!
  • Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator--it will keep for weeks!
  • Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips!
  • Zap garlic cloves in the microwave for 15 seconds and the skins slip right off!
  • Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle perfectly shaped pancakes every time.
  • Always spray your grill with nonstick cooking spray before grilling to avoid sticking!
  • To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes!
  • To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling!
  • Sweeten whipped cream with confectioners' sugar instead of granulated sugar. It will stay fluffy & hold its shape better!
  • For easy "meatloaf mixing", combine the ingredients with a potato masher!
  • If you don't have enough batter to fill all cupcake tins, pour 1 tablespoon of water into the unfilled spots. This helps preserve the life of your pans!
  • To easily remove honey from a measuring spoon, first coat the spoon with nonstick cooking spray!
  • Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan. The marshmallow won't stick to your fingers!
  • Mash and freeze ripe bananas, in one-cup portions, for use in later baking. No wasted bananas (or you can freeze them whole, peeled, in plastic baggies).
  • To quickly use that frozen juice concentrate, simply mash it with a potato masher. No need to wait for it to thaw! A wire whip works also.
  • To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature & roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing!
  • To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap & enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove-top--skillet will be much easier to clean now!
  • Transfer your jelly to a small plastic squeeze bottle--no more messy, sticky jars or knives! This also works well for homemade salad dressing!
  • To aid in washing dishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your soapy water--it softens hands while cutting through grease!
  • Save your store-bought-bread bags and ties--they make perfect storage bags for homemade bread!
  • When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead. No white mess on the outside of the cake!
  • If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato. It absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up"!
  • Next time you need a quick ice pack, grab a bag of frozen vegetables out of your freezer -- no watery leaks from a plastic baggie!
  • Slicing meat when partially frozen makes it easier to get thin slices.
  • Brush beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful, glossy finish!
  • Place a slice of bread in hardened brown sugar to soften it back up!
  • When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corns natural sweetness!
  • To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh; if it rises to the surface, throw it away.