stainless steel sink |

Yes, yes, I know….it’s Wednesday and I’m a day late. Better late than never, they always say!

Without further adieu….

Φ To stop a pan boiling over, insert a wooden toothpick between the pan and the lid.

TT: Personally, I think this is a waste of a toothpick and also, there’s the possibility of the toothpick falling into the pan if you happen to forget that it’s there. Or worse, if you have a gas stove as we do, it falls out and under the pan and starts a fire! I usually just cock the lid up a bit when putting it on to allow some of the steam to escape.

Φ It’s simple to stop cabbage smells while cooking ~ don’t overcook it and don’t cover the pot with a lid.

TT: We cook a good bit of cabbage but never seem to have a problem with smells. Perhaps because we usually add other flavorings to the pan so we smell the flavorings instead. I always have the lid on too.

Φ Cut any green parts of a potato away before cooking ~ the green part contains an unpleasant-tasting poison called solanine. It won’t kill you, but you’re better off without it.

TT: I ALWAYS do this! Who wants to eat green potato anyway? Unless you’re Dr. Seuss! Oh wait, that was green eggs…. 🙂

Φ When heating cream, use a heavy-based saucepan and a low gentle heat, allowing the cream to come to a simmer slowly. Avoid boiling rapidly.

TT: I don’t cook with cream very much except if I’m making a dessert. However, I do follow this mantra and heat it up gently.

Φ Clean a stainless steel sink by wiping with a bit of pasty toothpaste (gel won’t work). Rub in then rinse well (for a sparkling sink with fresh breath!)

TT: You can also use baking soda and get the same results.

Φ Defrost your freezer when the layer of ice inside has reached a thickness of 1cm (1/3 inch). Switch off the freezer, remove the food and thaw the freezer. Run the freezer for 1/2 an hour before refilling.

TT: I think it’s time for me to defrost the freezer….

Φ When cooking pasta, use as big a pan as possible to prevent sticking as it needs room to move around freely. Don’t add the pasta until the water is boiling rapidly.

TT: I do this all the time. Make sure you stir the pasta occasionally while cooking and add salt to the water before you add the pasta.

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So there you go, your kitchen tips for the week!