Tips and Tricks

To make your own buttermilk just take a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and add it to 1 cup of milk. Let stand for about 5 minutes.

To make dried cubed bread (croutons) that are used in most poultry stuffings, trim crust and cut into cubes, toast in 300 degree oven until dried.

Peeling tomatoes – place the tomato in boiling water for 1 minutes then plunge in very cold water. Skin will slip off – use a sharp knife.

To clean lime that has hardened in a glass put vinegar in it overnight.

Put a small glass full of vinegar out in the open when having a party. It takes away cigarette smoke and other party smells. Place it in a pretty vase and set it out.

When heating milk rinse the saucepan with cold water first, it makes the cleanup much easier.

Here is an easy way to fill plastic bags. Put the food in a jar then slip the mouth of the bag over the top of the jar and invert – it slips right in and the top of the bag doesn't get messy.

When cooking Sauerkraut put a 10 inch long piece of celery in the pot. The celery will absorb the odor. You can also use this for cauliflower and cabbage.

When cooking pasta add a little margarine, vegetable or olive oil. It will keep it from boiling over and sticking together.

Rinse the measuring cup with cold water before measuring shortening. It will come out cleaner and easier.

Measure the dry ingredients before liquids and shortening so you don't have to take time to clean it out.

Put a stick of spearmint gum in dry products, such as cereal and flour and it will keep the weevils away. (Those little moths that come flying out of your cabinets and canisters).


Soak bacon in cold water for a few minutes before frying. This will lessen the tendency to curl up and shrink.

Warm lemons in the oven or under hot water for a few minutes before squeezing. You will get more juice out of them.

A teaspoon of cold water added to the white of an egg will nearly double the amount of meringue being made.

Potatoes soaked in salt water for 20 minutes before baking will bake more rapidly.

To prevent the bottom pie crust from becoming soggy, grease the pie pan with butter or margarine. The crust will then be soft and flakey.

To cut meringue, wet the knife with cold water. It will not then stick or peel off.

Do not grease the sides of cake or brownie pans. It's like trying to climb a greased pole when you grease the sides.

To keep raisins from sticking when you chop them in the food processor soak them in cold water for a short time.

Cut fresh bread with a hot knife – if you heat it under hot water dry it first.

To get the fishy or onion smell from frying pans sprinkle salt generously after frying. Wash well in soapy water – it cleans and deodorizes.

Add a little vinegar to homemade pancake syrup it will keep it from sugaring.

Keep a small toothbrush handy for cleaning the inside cavity of fish. It does the job quickly and cleanly.

After you pour the cake batter in the pan level it out – push the batter to the sides of the pan – you will get a cake without the hump in the middle.

To add a little pizzaz to your meatloaf bake it in a ring pan. When baked take it out of the pan and fill the middle with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash or peas.

Use nonfat dry milk for cooking and baking. Add to dry ingredients then use water for liquid. Saves $$!

When measuring brown sugar put the measuring cup in a bag, plastic works best, fill with the sugar and press into cup from the outside. Easy and no mess.

When freezing steaks, chops or burger place a piece of freezer paper or waxed paper between each. When thawing they come apart easily.

Use your blender to make bread crumbs – can use soft or dry bread.

When cooking cranberries add one teaspoon butter for each pound. This will eliminate the foam and keep them from boiling over.

When storing lemons in the refrigerator put them in a tightly sealed jar. They will keep for several weeks without drying out.

Use instant potato flakes to thicken gravies, soups or stews. No further cooking is necessary.

For instant frosting on your cupcakes put a thin mint on each right after you take them out of the oven.

When making a powdered sugar frosting add one tablespoon of flour to the mixture.

A little cream of tartar on a damp cloth will take coffee stains from plastic dishes or formica-type counter tops.

When coating chicken put coating in a plastic or paper bag and shake a few pieces at a time.

To tenderize and add flavor to chicken put in a plastic bag. Add juice of 1/2 large lemon and just a dash or two of vegetable or olive oil. Olive oil works best. Place in refrigerator for 1 hour before cooking, can be done early in day or overnight. To evenly marinate chicken take bag and squeeze juice/oil mixture so all pieces are covered; do this several times while in the refrigerator.

To cut cilantro, chives or parsley put in a glass measuring cup and snip with a kitchen shears. Less messy and less cleanup.

Garlic and onion smell on your hands – tomato juice, sauce or catsup takes it out – just rub it in and wash off with hand soap.