Howdy all. Let's talk kitchen tricks and tips. There are so many things we can do to make life a little easier when cooking and baking. I like easy! Little tips can make a difference. So here we go - I hope you find something you can use and offer any ideas you may have!!!!!
- When baking with raisins or any dried fruit - take a moment and coat them with some of your dry batter or just a little flour - it will keep the raisins from all falling to the bottom of your baked good
- Add a teaspoon of instant coffee to your liquid/water called for in a chocolate cake or brownies. It sure does enhance the chocolate flavor. You can also sub a little brewed coffee for part of the liquid
- Toasting nuts gives them a little extra flavor. Spread out in a single layer on a pan and place in a preheated 325* oven for about 8 - 10 minutes. Let them cool before using
- After making brownies - I never use icing anymore. I remove brownies from the oven - and then sprinkle a nice amount of chips (any flavor you have) on top. They melt pretty darn quickly - then spread over the brownies and you have the best "icing" ever. It also slightly hardens as the brownies cool
- In case you are in need of a measuring cup and don't have one!!!!!!!! This would be a good idea when camping.
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- Before dusting a cake or muffins, brownies, etc. with powdered sugar - make sure the baked good is completely cooled! Otherwise the sugar just dissolves and disappears!
- Before measuring molasses, honey, syrup, or anything sticky - measure out oil for the recipe. It will help the sticky item flow out of the cup or spoon. No oil in your recipe? Just spray the utensil with a little cooking spray before measuring
- Soup recipe? Is there such a thing? LOL - not at my house. I just wing it, every single time. Here is a great chart to help you make a fun and tasty pot of soup. Nothing like a 'refrigerator/leftover' pot of soup. Never waste a thing - add it to a pot of soup and make it tasty yet again! Click on picture to enlarge image!
- To thicken pie fillings - many people add a bit of flour or cornstarch - I like using an equal amount of quick cooking tapioca. Works perfectly every time
- If your recipe calls for unsweetened chocolate and you have none - use 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder plus 1 Tbsp. butter, margarine or shortening IN PLACE of every ounce of unsweetened chocolate called for - no need for a grocery trip!
- When baking cookies - make sure that your cookies are all even and consistent in size - for even baking. Also if needing to re-use your pans - (I always use 2 for convenience) - let the pan cool before placing another batch of cookie dough on it. A hot pan starts the process of melting the dough and spreading - your cookies will be affected. Use 2 pans and switch off and let one cool while using the other
- When doubling a recipe - do not necessarily double the seasoning! It is best to start with maybe 1 1/2 the amount - then taste and adjust from there. Seasoning seems to stretch farther than other things!!!!
- Stale potato chips? Place them on paper towels in the microwave and heat briefly! The towels absorb the moisture making them have a stale texture. Crisps them up. I have done the same with crackers
- When grilling or roasting veggies - add a little zip next time. Instead of adding butter or a spritz of oil - try using a little Italian dressing - YUM!
- Frying chicken with a flour coating? The coating will stick much better if the chicken is cold!
- Don't store onions next to potatoes! Potatoes give off a gas that helps onions to decay quicker
- To heighten the flavor of cooked tomatoes - add a pinch of sugar. It also lessens the acidity taste.
- To slice tomatoes - slice from top to bottom (stem to butt) -instead of side to side - it retains much more of the juice from the tomato!!!! Call me a slow learner - but I just figured this out last year! Sure saves a mess of juice on your plate or sandwich!
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Just an idea or two that hopefully helps someone out. Do you have a 'life changer tip' or a 'money saver tip' for the kitchen? Tell us!
It is so much fun learning new things - even at this extended age!!!!!! LOL
Have a wonderful day! Enjoy each gift placed in front of you today - no matter how big or small.
Many of these are new to me, thanks! Hilogene in Az
ReplyDeleteCool - hope they helped in some way!
DeleteGood morning! I loved home ec and 4-H. I love to cook, bake and sew. I also love theses tips, things I forget to do.
ReplyDeleteI loved them too. I learned from mom, but got a lot from both home ec and 4-H.
DeleteCool - hope it helped!
All great tips. I would add when buying fresh ginger or turmeric to keep in a glass or freezer safe container in the freezer. Grate what you need and put the rest back. Stays fresh a LONG time.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip. I don't use much of either fresh - so a great reminder.
DeleteWhen baking a double batch of brownies, don't double the heat or the time. It took my husband a week to soak the brownies out of the pan when I was away.
ReplyDeleteOh no. What a pain. Thanks for that reminder.
DeleteSeriously, this time! If you use canned tomatoes to make spaghetti and the tomatoes make the spaghetti taste like tin, use just a sprinkle of cinnamon to take the tart taste away. You will never taste the cinnamon.
ReplyDeleteOK - I thought you were being serious on your hubs antics!!!!
DeleteI could see a non-cooking guy doing that! LOL
Great tip - never would have thought about cinnamon. I would try if it doesn't affect the taste.
Great list of hints Cheryl! I use the chips instead of icing on white or chocolate cakes, but not brownies - I figure they're sweet enough without any icing. Mom would pop the pan in the oven (while it is cooling) for one minute to soften the chips and it sure makes it easy to spread.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about the solo cup and it's one hint I plan to try to remember. Same thing with using the same measuring cup for oil and sticky items. I make an almond cake at Christmas time (includes corn syrup) for a friend and this would be a real helpful hint.
Heck, if I am having brownies - I am going all the way! LOL
DeleteLove the oven tip. Never thought about cupcakes, but that would be wonderful.
Glad you found something that may help you out!
Cheryl, I am so delighted for you. I’m sure it’s wonderful to be able to see more clearly.
ReplyDeleteNot a lot happening here. Got the grass cut today but it was so difficult as it was long and wet. We have had a lot of very, very heavy rain for the past two weeks.
Hope you continue to improve. Love Sylvia
Thanks Sylvia - each day is better than the last!
DeleteWe have been dry - and grass is crispy - needs cut - but too crispy. Getting rain later on today.
Always soak cooked cereal pans in COLD water and the stuck-on cereal will slide right off. Pour BOILING water through berry stains to instantly remove them. I learned both from my mother (1914-1995), and she learned both from my grandmother (1875-1941). My mother always left the oven door open after she used it. I always thought it was to cool the oven. Turns out she did it to add heat to the room!
ReplyDeleteWHAT? Why didn't I know those 2 tips? Those would definitely be time savers! Thanks.
DeleteI do the oven door as well, mainly in the winter. It adds a lot of extra heat to the house - may as well use it!
What on earth is 4H? I have never even heard of it, sorry!
ReplyDeleteOur home economics lessons were awful, I don't think I learned a thing from them.
I have always added grated carrot and red lentils to minced beef to bulk it out and no one has ever noticed.
Su, 4H is a program for children and youth in America involving the care of animals, usually farm animals. A child will raise one from a baby, show it at the local fair, and then the animal is auctioned off. Kids get ribbons based on how well they've done, including the "showing". Money from the sale of the animal often goes into a college fund. 4H is very popular in rural areas here. --Elise
Delete4-H also has cooking and sewing clubs. I learned basic cooking and sewing in home economics classes in the 7th and 8th grades.
Delete--Maxine
Yep, the gals answered the 4-H question pretty well!
Deletethe 4 H's stand for head, heart, hands and health. Young folks join and learn any number of kinds of skills - they then 'display' their 'creations' at fairs for judging. Ribbons and sometimes cash awards are given. I started in 3rd grade and went to 4H through junior high. Even became a junior leader. AND may I say I earned a Grand Champion on my angel food cake!!!!!!!
The carrot and lentils tips is a great one - good way to extend and still get good vitamins. We use grated mushrooms and even grated zucchini in beef often to extend. I sometimes use crushed cracker or oats to extend as well.
Thank you all for the info on 4H, I think I am rather glad we don't have it here! I never was competitive.
DeleteI wasn't either - it was more learning for me and being with friends. The ribbons were icing on the cake (so to speak) for me. It really was a neat experience.
DeleteGREAT tips, Cheryl (and everyone)! Some of them I do, but some are new-to-me ideas and I thank you. Like Su, and especially when my sons were growing up, I always bulked up ground beef with lentils for spaghetti, Sloppy Joes, tacos, etc.
ReplyDeleteHow timely this post is. On the phone with my mom and big sis this morning, they were talking about God given talents as part of our purpose in life. Sis asked what I feel my purpose it. I shocked them both when I said cooking. Feeding people. Yes, I have other talents and skills as most of us do, but I view preparing food as... well... a true blessing. And no, I'm no Julia Child or Martha Stewart, but I enjoy playing with my food and making the most out of what I have.
Update on the pup: Vet check yesterday went well. She's so well behaved. On Thursday, when she found/adopted us, she was 21.5 lbs. Yesterday she was 27.7 lbs.!! All tests were normal, the vet estimates her to be 2-3 yrs. old and said Blue is a Queensland Heeler. She had shots, and we've scheduled her spay for Nov. 3rd. She'll be microchipped at the same time. Blue is just the smartest dog. She's adjusted to us so well and now barks at the door when she needs to do her business outside. All GOOD things come from God and she's certainly a gift to us at this stage in our lives.
--Elise
Oh how I love your conversation with mom and sis. What a wonderful answer. I think that would have been my mom's answer as well. She just got so much joy feeding people.
DeleteHow wonderful on Blue. That is an expensive dog and it sounds like she has been trained - how could someone just forget about her? Poor baby - so happy you guys found each other. She sure has a wonderful home and will be your loyal friend from now on. God works in wonderful ways!!!!!
What a heartfelt answer you had for a part of your purpose! Happy to hear Blue is doing well and settling in nicely. She sounds like a sweet girl who is incredibly grateful to have parents who love and care for her. 💗 Congrats again!
DeleteCheryl, we have Apache Nation right next door-so to speak-and Navajo Nation to the north. There's a lot of wide open land around here. The vet said some people now are just unable to afford their pets, or are moving away, and rather than take the pet to an animal shelter, will drop them off out in the country. She expects that's what happened to Blue.
DeleteStaci, thank you. It took me awhile to learn to truly appreciate the simple things. I began cooking for my family at 13 years old and reminded my mom of that this morning. Now I see it as a gift. Especially during economic downturns. Blue IS a sweet girl. We're in love with her already and can't imagine being without her. :-)
--Elise
I love that chart! What a good idea. So many of these tips I use but there is always a couple I have never heard of. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Glad you found a couple maybe you can use.
DeleteExcellent and inspiring tips! They need to be compiled in a book!!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am sure they are in lots of books!!! LOL. I have learned much from reading as well as doing - so who knows where I came up with things!
DeleteI loved HomeEc class, but only had one year of it. It would have been wonderful to have a Shop class for girls too, but noooo, girls didn't need to know that stuff.. ha ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they have 4-H here - it would be so fine for my grandsons, although they'd have quite a time trying to raise an animal - their home is not set up for that, but changes could be made and they're young... :)
Thanks for these good tips, Cheryl. I think I'll print out the soup chart and tack it inside the cupboard door as a useful reference. Sometimes it's hard to think of everything.
MaryB
Girls could take shop when I was in school and guys could take home ec - although not many of either did.
Delete4H could be for anything. Animal husbandry, bug collecting, wood skills, cooking, sewing, just about anything. It was a neat way to learn new things for me. We all had such a good time at our meetings, and we got some kind of fun event at the end. My group always picked the amusement park with all the rides! That was during a time, when it wasn't scary for kids to do their thing with a just a few adults around!
I like the soup chart too - just a neat reminder we can use anything for a good pot of soup.
More excellent tips! I pinned the soup formula. Soups, stews and chowders are always a good idea for a meal.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. They are just so versatile and easy. And YUMMY!
DeleteI also use a little flour when using chocolate chips, or nuts when making loaves or cakes calling for them. Keeps them from falling to the bottom as well.
ReplyDeleteLots of lovely tips.
God bless.
It is amazing that such a simple little trick works so well. Thanks
DeleteI had no idea about the cup measurements or the potato chips! A few more:
ReplyDeletestore your natural peanut butter upside down. When you go to use it, it will be much easier to stir the oil in.
microwave your lemon or lime for a few seconds in the microwave and then roll under your palm on the counter for a few seconds before you try to juice it. You get more juice!
I never ever buy buttermilk - I just add vinegar to milk (dairy or dairy free) and let it sit a few minutes before using it.
Save your butter wrappers to use for greasing pans.
Have a wonderful evening!
Excellent tips!!!! Thank you! I have done most of yours except the peanut butter. That makes sense. I do the upside down thing with sour cream and used to do it with cottage cheese. Hubs loved it - so I would keep it fresh tasting. Not something I care for at all.
DeleteThanks for great reminders.
Great tips Cheryl! I'm using less butter than usual because of high prices so I make sure to use the butter wrappers for things like buttering toast.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I use them for buttering baking pans.
DeleteThank you!
Gosh, you all hit on everything I can think of. And things I hadn't, so I learned a few, as well! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteElise, I'm just thrilled that Blue found you! Again, bless you for saving her. Keep an eye on her until you get her fixed. Otherwise, a sharp boy with a good sniffer might find her....just saying! Gosh, where you're at, a coyote. I suspect that's how we ended up adopting a coyote mutt pup at the shelter.
YAY glad you found a couple things you can use!
DeleteThank you Debby. Yes, we're keeping her with us at all times until the spay is done and she heals. Blue shows WAY too much interest in our neighbors' male dogs. And yes, we have coyotes nearby. How did your pup do? --Elise
DeleteSuch good tips here and in the comments. Thanks for sharing! -- Elaine
ReplyDeleteThank you! Glad you liked them
DeleteYou say you ran out of tomato sauce?
ReplyDeleteTake a 6 oz can of tomato paste and scrape it into a bowl. Fill the can with water, add it to the paste, whisk it well, and VOILA--you now have 12 oz of tomato sauce!
Sue, yes, I keep tomato paste in my stash, it takes up less room and like you said you can do so much with it in soups or pasta gravies even. My Italian grandma always used tomato paste with tomatoes for her pasta gravy.
DeleteHow did I miss this post? This is GREAT! Thanks! : )
ReplyDeleteLate to the party, but wanted to add one more. If a recipe calls for shortening (Crisco) or peanut butter -- say 1/2 cup, fill your liquid measuring cup with 1/2 cup cold water, and drop PB or Crisco into the cup until the water reaches the 1 cup measure. If the recipe calls for 1/3 cup, use 2/3 cup of water; 1/4 cup, use 3/4 cup of water, etc. Then, simply pour off the water, and you'll have an appropriate amount of your ingredient to put into your recipe. Certainly beats using a knife to pack a dry measuring cup!
ReplyDelete