I’m sure you’d agree that mixing flour or the dry ingredients for a recipe and handling the mixer all at the same time can be awkward and messy! I use a large plastic measuring pitcher. I mix all my dry ingredients in the pitcher and whisk it all together, then I use a large bowl […]
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‘Easy as Pie’ Pie Shielding Method
Pie shielding your crust from over browning can be hard once the oven and the pie is hot. It can be quite a struggle or maybe you’ve had to purchase one of those special hard to store shields in a cooking supply store. I’ve got an easy solution for you, and all you need is […]
Chasing Sausage Links
I hate chasing sausage links around the pan and trying to get them to brown evenly. The darned things never seem to cooperate with me! Now I use toothpicks and skewer to links together with 2 toothpicks. I cook them on one side, and then they’re easy to flip over. I also use this technique […]
Mushrooms… To Rinse or Not to Rinse
Remember that old rule not to rinse the dirt off your mushrooms because they will absorb the water and be mushy? Well, the powers that be have figured out that’s not really true. The only real rule of thumb about rinsing them is if the mushrooms are really dirty, rinse and dry them thoroughly right […]
Using Measuring Spoons
Have you ever found yourself frustrated because your round measuring spoons just won’t fit into those narrow spice jars and you always end up wasting a lot of the expensive spice when you’re forced to pour it out into the measuring spoon? I have 2 sets of measuring spoons … one of them is the […]
Cleaning and Coring a Fresh Pineapple
There’s nothing better than a fresh ripe pineapple, but they can be a little hard to clean without feeling like you’re wasting a lot of the actual fruit! I use a long serrated bread knife because it’s a bit more flexible and allows you to follow the contours of the pineapple as you are peeling […]
Keeping on the Lid
Whether you’re storing a large pot or taking it to a friend’s house for a pot luck dinner, it’s hard to keep the lid on and not have it tip or make a huge mess. Try inverting the lid and using double-sided Velcro wrapped over the top and over both handles. If you’re traveling with […]
Tasty Skewers
Everyone knows that you have to soak your wooden skewers before loading them up with yummy food and putting them on the grill, but it can be a bit of a pain to keep them submerged. Try putting them in an empty large wine bottle and filling with warm water and cork the top for […]
Vinegar – To Throw or Not to Throw… That’s the Question!
Most of today’s vinegars are pasteurized and actually have very little acetic acid. They can last almost indefinitely on your shelf. If you find that the vinegar has sediment floating around or building on the bottom, just place your strainer over a bowl with a pouring spout, line it with a coffee filter or some […]
A Cube Full of Ginger
A cube full of ginger makes the dollars stretch further… and can save you time later on. I’m sure you’ve found yourself purchasing a nice sized thumb of fresh ginger for a specific recipe, and then you wrap and store the rest in the refrigerator only to take it out a week later for another […]
Precious Zest
Citrus zest is one of my favorite flavorings for a whole variety of recipes. However, if you just need the just need the juice for a recipe, it’s a shame to waste the zest. Zest the citrus before you juice it and store the zest in a sealed storage container in the refrigerator and save […]
The Shelf Life of Chocolate
The shelf lives of different chocolates vary. If stored properly, unsweetened and dark chocolate can last for about 2 years. However, you should count on milk and white chocolate only having a shelf life of about 6 months because of the higher sugar and fat content. Be sure to put a date on any chocolate […]