A to Z Kitchen Tips & Tricks

This reporter discovered most of the following tips on the back of a note pad that came with a request for money from one of the dozens of letters received during a year.  Haven’t tried them out but do remember reading some of these before.  Hope you enjoy the tips and tricks and will try some of them.

Apples:  Apply lemon juice on the cut surface of apples to avoid browning.  The apples will look fresh for a longer period of time, especially if you are using the slices for a dip.

Bananas:  Apply mashed bananas over a burn on your body to get a cooling effect.  I’ve never heard of this one but will try it on my next burn mishap!

Celery:  To keep celery fresh longer, wrap it in aluminum foil and place in refrigerator.  Ok, I do this tip.

Chopping:  Use a wooden board to chop.  It will not blunt the knife.  Don’t use a plastic board as small plastic pieces may get in with the vegetables.

Dry Fruits:  To chop dry fruits, place them in the refrigerator for half an hour before cutting.  Take the fruits out and cut them with a hot knife (dip knife in hot water before cutting).

Egg Fresh:  Immerse an egg in a pan of cold salted water.  If it sinks, it is fresh; if it rises to the surface, it is old.  Also, make a small hole in the egg by piercing with a pin before boiling.  You will be able to peel it easily.

Fruits:  To ripen fruit, wrap in newspaper and put in a warm place for 2 to 3 days.

Green Chilies:  To keep chilies fresh for a long time, remove the stems before storing.

Herb Cubes:  Put clean dry herbs into the bottom of an ice cube tray and fill compartments with water or stock.  After they freeze, pop out and keep in Ziploc freezer bags.  When needed, just add them into soups, stews or sauces.

Lemon/Lime:  If a lemon or lime is hard, put in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes to make it easier to squeeze.  One may also roll the lemon or lime on the counter; then microwave it for a few seconds to get out the most juice.

Milk:  Moisten the base of a pan with water to reduce the chances of milk sticking to the bottom.  Keep a spoon in the pan while boiling milk at medium heat.  It will avoid sticking to the bottom.

Noodles:  When noodles are boiled, drain all the hot water and add cold water.  This will separate the noodles.

Onions:  To avoid crying when preparing onions, cut the onion into two parts.  Place in water for 15 minutes before chopping.

Oven:  Watch through the oven window to conserve energy because the oven temperature drops by 25 degrees every time the door is opened.

Popcorn:  Keep corn kernels in the freezer and pop while still frozen to get better pops.

Potatoes:  To bake potatoes quickly, place them in salt water for 15 minutes before baking.  I’m really going to try this one!  Also, do not store potatoes and onions together.  This causes potatoes to rot quickly.

Rice:  Add a few drops of lemon juice in the water before boiling rice to make whiter rice.

Tomato:  Place overripe tomatoes in cold water and add salt.  They will become firm and fresh overnight!

Vegetables:  Don’t discard the water in which vegetables are cooked.  Use it in making soup.

SAFETY TIPS:  DO NOT use water on a grease fire!  Smother with a pan lid or use a fire extinguisher.  When boiling anything, always lift the lid far side first.  Leave a hot pad on a hot lid as a warning to others.  Never leave a handle hanging over a stove edge, especially if children are around.