Sweet Kitchen Tips 7

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Need to measure a solid fat like lard or shortening for that pie?  But, you hate cleaning the measuring cup afterwards?  Here is something that may help you with that.  Line the measuring cup with plastic wrap before adding the fat.  Push the fat into the cup with a spatula or wooden spoon to be sure the cup is completely full. Then when you are ready, all you have to do is simply pull the hanging wrapping and the cup stays clean.  You can even go one step further and chill the fat in the plastic wrap before cutting it into the flour for the pie dough.

And if you are using butter…

… you know that using your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour can heat it and melt it pretty quick. The food processor is the best method to avoid this, but if you don’t have one, or you don’t want to use it, try this: Rub a frozen stick of butter against the large holes of a regular box grater over the flour.  Then use a pastry blender to work the butter into the flour.  You want to make it even easier? Press the cold butter through a potato ricer.

Sweet Kitchen Tips 6

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How many of us has their way of seperating our eggs yolks from the whites? Show of hands? yep. You could doit the old fashion way, crack, cup your hand and gently let the whites run thru your fingers.  Done it, broken more yolks that I can count.  Then there is the using the shell - done, and broken more yolks than I can count.  When I finally thought of buying one of those egg dividers I realized that I can make my own with the a slotted spoon

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Sweet Kitchen Tips 5

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When using your blender to make dressings and you need to add oil or melted butter, the whirring blender can splatter back up through the opening in the lid and make a mess. To eliminate this problem, place a small funnel in the opening and pour the liquid through it slowly and steadily - No MESS.  This also works if using the food processor.

And speaking of grease…

Those basting brushes can be difficult to clean, and usually no matter what you do they tend to remain sticky and then get smelly.  But, here comes a little helper to the rescued. Wash the dirty brush thoroughly with liquid dish soap and very hot water, then rinse well and shake dry.  Place the brush, bristles pointing down, into a cup and fill the cup with coarse salt until the bristles are covered.  The salt draws moisture out of the bristles and keeps it dry and fresh between uses.

and speaking of salt…

Did you know that using salt can prevent flare-ups in the oven when using the broiler? Yep.  Cover the bottom of the broiler pan with aluminum foil and 2 cups of kosher salt. Place the perforated rack on top with the food you are cooking.  The salt catches any grease and prevents flare ups.