Tips in the Kitchen

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

21 Apr 2009 10:57 AM

Whether you are Betty Crocker or Mrs Take Out, kitchen tips can make your life easier. From cooking shortcuts to cleaning dilemmas solved, isn't it nice to know that help is on its way?

If you are cooking anything that contains milk, eggs and flour (such as pancakes or a sauce), rice or pasta, and things get sticky, here is a tip to clean those pans up easily. First soak the pan in cold water. Hot water can set the starch in these foods, making cleanup tougher.

The easiest way to make pie dough for a pie crust is by using a food processor. It is so quick that it keeps the doug cold, which is important for an easy pie crust.

When using cooking spray, hold your baking pans and cookie sheets over the sink when applying the spray. This way, there will be no slippery spray on the floor.

For large but even cookies, use an ice cream scoop to parcel out the dough on the cookie sheet. Remember Chipwiches? Make your own cookies for ice cream sandwiches this way.

I love to take healthy snacks to the park or on other outing for the kids. Cut up apples are a favorite, but since they tend to brown, try this trick. Dip the cut sides into a little lemon juice to prevent browning. The lemon also adds a little tang that goes well with a sweet apple. It also adds a bit of vitamin C!

To keep your knives from becoming dull, avoid leaving them in the sink or running them through the dishwasher.

If your spices are starting to dull, you can perk them up by toasting or heating them. Do it carefully so you don't burn the spices.

I always wonder about measuring certain ingredients. Honey or ketchup should be measured in a liquid measuring cup, not a dry measuring cup.

What is your favorite kitchen tip?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Tashi (1013) 21 Apr 2009 11:29 AM

My favorite kitchen tip? This may not exactly qualify as such, but it's something that works for *me*: USE your cookbooks! :-) Don't just buy them or collect recipes -- USE whatcha got. Otherwise, donate, give away, or sell the cookbooks, as they're certainly not being put to good use in your home. I treasure all of mine and use them frequently, even modifying or adapting the recipes on my own, or using the authors' tips.

thequeenofthecastle (413) 22 Apr 2009 07:51 AM

What is a liquid measuring cup? I'm not in the know on that one.

Cat-Mom-of-3 (180) 22 Apr 2009 11:44 PM

To perk up my dull spices, I simply give them a quick grind with my mortar and pestle. My family loves fresh homemade bread, so I use a bread maker to make the dough and then pop it into the oven, you can of course cook in the bread maker if you like.