Thursday, 30 April 2009

Kitchen Wisdom & Tips

I haven't tried any of the following kitchen tips... if you have, or if you have any other good ones to share... let me know!

The following
tips are presumably from Martha Stewart herself...
  • Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of an ice cream cone to prevent ice cream drips.
  • To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
  • If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it'll absorb the excess salt for an instant 'fix-me-up'.
  • If you have a problem opening a jar, try using latex dish washing gloves- they provide a non-slip grip.
  • Freeze leftover wine into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

Here are some other good ones. Click here for the entire list:
  • To soften hardened brown sugar, place a slice of bread or a few apple slices with the sugar in an airtight container. The sugar will soften overnight.(I actually tried this... it works!)
  • Grate orange and lemon peel before peeling. Dry and add to spice cake or any cookies or puddings. The dried grated peel will keep well in a covered jar.
  • If you scorch milk by accident, put the pan in cold water and add a pinch of salt to the milk. Takes away the burned taste.
  • When measuring sticky ingredients (molasses, honey, peanut butter), try spraying the measuring cups with non-stick spray first (just lightly). The ingredients will come out easier.
  • Stir natural peanut butter well and store in the fridge. It won't separate.
  • Place stuffed peppers and tomatoes in a muffin tin before sticking them in the oven. They’ll stay upright and keep their shape perfectly!
  • Toast oatmeal in the oven before adding to other ingredients when making oatmeal cookies-–delicious!
  • To pare pineapple easily cut into rings and peel each slice separately.
  • Canned fruit is much better if opened and removed from the can an hour or two before using to restore the oxygen.
  • Fill a large salt shaker with flour and use that when needing to dust surfaces with flour- this is handy way to keep a bit of flour on hand instead of digging in the flour bin.