Kitchen tips

Peel potatoes with your microwave

It is no surprise that peeling potatoes is considered a punishment in the Army. But potatoes can easily be coaxed to remove their jackets without all that elbow grease. Here is a tip to peel potatoes with your microwave.

All you need to do is wash the potatoes, pierce with a fork in several places, microwave for 10 minutes, and let cool. The skins will become wrinkled, and you'll be able to pull them off easily under cold water.

Truss or tie up meat with dental floss

You probably brushed your meat with a sauce, but now you want to tie or truss it and cannot find clean string to use? Here is a tip to truss or tie up meat with dental floss

Dental floss is the best material to use for trussing up meat to be grilled or roasted. Its strong enough to do the job, and it won't burn during the cooking process.

Plus, it comes in a handy little dispenser. What more could you ask for? I think that some dental floss is flavored so make sure you buy a non flavored variety.

Steam vegetables in the microwave

Here is a tip to steam your vegetables in the microwave. You can save time cooking and cleaning pans by steaming vegetables in your microwave. Using a plastic bag made for use in the microwave, add fresh, cut vegetables and a few tea-spoons of water. Don't completely seal the bag so steam can escape.

Microwave for two or three minutes or until the veggies are tender.

Defrost meat safely with your microwave

A big problem with defrosting meat is not knowing if the center is thawed. Here is a tip to defrost meat safely with your microwave. If your meat is still frozen, it will not cook evenly, and even worse, the still cold center could harbor bacteria. That's where your microwave comes in.

Microwaves heat from the inside our, which is not good for cooking a roast, but it's great for defrosting one. Use the "defrost" setting, and microwave about 10 minutes for each pound of meat. Be sure to turn the meat regularly for even thawing. If you don't have a "defrost" setting, check your microwave's manual for recommendations.

Liquids heated in microwaves can superheat

Liquids heated in microwaves can "superheat" and erupt. Here is some advice about microwaves super-heating liquids. The reason that microwave ovens super heat liquids is that microwaves can heat inner layers of liquid to a boiling point while the surface remains calm.

When you move the container, the inner layer can explode and cause serious burns. To make sure this doesn't happen to you, use a conventional stove for heating liquids whenever possible.

When microwaving, always use a container at least one-third larger than the liquid being heated. Before heating a liquid in the microwave, stir it well, and place something in the container to spread out the heat energy, such as a stirring stick.
Break up heating time and stir the liquid at least twice while microwaving, and again when it's done. Never exceed the recommended heating time.

Open a tight jar lid with a rubber band

If it seems like jars are getting harder and harder to open, here is a tip to open tight jar lids with a rubber band.
All you need to do is wrap a rubber band around the lid. This will make it so much easier to keep the lid from slipping out of your grasp.

Open a tight lid with gloves

If you have a jar lid that you just cannot get to budge, try this tip before you start banging the jar on your counter top. Here is a tip to open a tight lid with gloves.

All you need to do is just slip on your latex dish washing gloves. They'll help you pop that top without the strain.

Looking for ways to cut down on fat?

Are you looking for ways to cut down on fat? Here is a tip to use alternatives to butter to reduce fat.

Use whipped butter or margarine instead of butter sticks. Although you can't use it for cooking or baking, the whipped vari­ety will spread better on bread and rolls, making it easier to use less. That should keep your waist from spreading, too.

Reduce fat with nonstick pans

If you are looking for ways to reduce fat in your diet then here is a tip to reduce the amount of fat you eat.

All you need to do is buy nonstick cookware. Regular pans require you to use oil to saute food, but with nonstick pans, you can use a nonfat cooking spray or just a bit of oil.

Think of all the fat calories you'll save by cutting down on vegetable oil, which has an average of 100 calories and 14 grams of fat per tablespoon.

Stop frying pan splatter with a colander

Do you worry about hot grease spattering you and your kitchen when you fry food in a frying pan? Here is a tip to stop frying pan splatter with a colander.

All you need to do to minimize splatter is place a metal colander over your frying pan. It allows steam to escape so your fried food won't be soggy. But best of all, it keeps bits of food and grease from flying out.

Freeze meat for a stir-fry

A stir-fry dinner means quick cooking and cleanup. You can speed up the process with this tip for preparing stir fry meat.

For a stir fry you invariably need to cube beef, pork, and boneless, skinless chicken breasts. To make this easier just pop the meat in the freezer for 10 minutes before slicing  ( you can get on with the vegetables while waiting ). The meat will cut neatly, making your job that much easier.

Cool cookies on a brown paper bag

Do you hate to throw away brown paper bags but can never think of a use for them. Brown paper bags are excellent at absorbing grease. So a very good use for them is when you are cooking cookies. Here is a quick tip for cooling cookies on a brown paper bag

Instead of using a wire cooling rack when you are cooling cookies you can use paper bags, they absorb excess grease and when you are finished they can be thrown in the trash. (Less mess).

Clear up grease in the kitchen with a brown paper bag

You just fried a pan of bacon and need to get rid of the excess grease before serving it. Reach for a brown paper bag. They're sturdy enough for hot, oily food, and the paper will soak up the drippings.

Do you love to make homemade french fries but hate the grease and extra calories? After frying, put the french fries in a brown paper bag and shake. The bag will absorb much of the extra oil. If you like your fries salted, add a bit to the bag before shaking.

Stop cast iron pans or skillets from rusting

What kitchen is complete without an old-fashioned cast-iron skillet? One of the main problems with these pots, pans and skillets is they tend to rust very easily. Here are a couple of tips to stop your cast iron pans and skillets from rusting

You can protect your cast-iron pots, pans and skillets from rust by storing them with a paper coffee filter inside. The coffee filter will absorb remaining moisture and help prevent the rust.

Or, if you stack smaller iron pots within larger ones, leave wax paper between them. The wax paper leaves a thin coat of wax on the pan and pre­vents air from interacting with the metal and any moisture.

Use olive oil and salt to prove a pan or skillet

If you have just bought a pan, or skillet you will find that it is very easy to prove it. It is also a good idea to prove a pan that constantly has food sticking to it. Once you have proved your pan or skillet you will find that food is less likely to stick to the pan.

All you need is some salt and 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Pour the oil into the pan or skillet and sprinkle salt liberally all over the inside. Heat the pan or skillet over a moderate heat until it starts to smoke, then carefully rub the salt and oil well into the pan with a paper towel. Then remove from the heat and wipe dry.

Repeat this process twice more. Once completed, finally wipe the frying pan dry with paper towel.

Season your cast-iron skillet

You've finally got your hands on a great cast-iron skillet like your grandmother used. But you'll have to learn to care for it like she did, or it could drip brown liquid into your foods - not an appetizing thought.

First, wash and scrub the pan with a fine cleanser and steel wool. Dry the skillet completely, then rub cooking oil all over the inside. place it in an oven set at 300 degrees for two hours. When you remove the skillet, wipe out any extra oil and wash with dish washing liquid.

Always dry your skillet completely after washing. Repeat this process, called sea­soning, from time to time if it starts looking dry or dull.

Running water stops tearful onion chopping

What is in the nasty fumes that waft up from an onion when cutting it is beyond me but here is a simple tip to use running water to stop onions causing tears when chopping.

All you need to do is try slicing the onion under running water into a colander in your sink. The running water will actually absorb the odor and make for a less tearful day.

Freeze onions before chopping for less tears

Chopping onions can be a real problem when your eyes start to water. The fumes from the onion are the problem. Here is a chilly tip to stop tears when you are chopping onions.

A quick solution to tearful onion chopping is to freeze the onions for about 15 minutes before you slice them. The cold will keep the eye-watering fumes at a minimum.

Bread stops tears when cutting onions

No doubt you are aware that it is the fumes from an onion whilst it is being chopped that causes your eyes to water. Here is a tip to use bread to stop tears flowing when chopping onions.

All you need to do to stop the tears is push a small piece of bread onto the point of your knife and carefully work it down toward the handle. Now when you cut your onion, the bread will absorb the fumes that bring tears to your eyes.

Use a candle when chopping onions

Does slicing onions make your eyes water and weep? Here is a tip that will stop tears when chopping onions using a candle.

All you need to do to stop the tears from flowing is light a candle next to your work area before you begin slicing your onions. The gasses that make your eyes water will burn off before they reach you.

The other bonus is your spouse might think it's romantic.

Add a bouillon cube to liven up pasta

If your family are getting fed up with pasta. Here is a tip to add a bouillon cube to liven up plain pasta.

All you need to do is add a bouillon cube to the boiling water then toss in the pasta. You'll get a new flavor and a new lease on serving spaghetti or other types of pasta.

Remove onion smell from your hands with salt

Do you love the taste of onion in your food, but you could do without that lingering scent on your hands. Here is a tip to remove onion smells from your hands with salt.

All you need to do is rub your hands with salt before you wash them, and the onion smell should vanish into thin air. '

Buy onions and green peppers in bulk

Onions and green peppers have their seasons and you will find that they are cheaper in the stores during these times. Here is a tip to buy onions and green peppers in bulk and save you money.

All you need to do is buy the onions and peppers in bulk and chop and prepare them as if you were doing so for a meal. Then place them in a zip bag and pop them in the freezer. Not only will you be saving money on the price of the vegetables but you will be saving time when it comes to making the stew or soup that needs the onions or peppers.

If you are using the onions or peppers for a cooked meal there is no need to defrost, just add the desired frozen amount.

Crush garlic to peel it easily

eeling garlic can be hard at the best of times so here is a tip to crush garlic to peel it easily.

All to lay the clove of garlic flat on your counter and press the clove hard with the flat side of large knife. This will split the garlic head and make removing the skin easy with your fingers. It is also said that crushed garlic gives off it's flavor better when it is cooked.

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