Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts

Below are a few of my favorite "Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts" for in the kitchen.
By no means is this a complete list, and I would LOVE for you all to share your favorite tips, tricks and shortcuts in the comments section. Who can't use a new idea?

In a hurry? Kids demanding spaghetti, and all you have is the can variety in the pantry? Great!! Use it! AND ADD to it: 1 can diced tomatoes, fresh minced garlic to taste, and fresh herbs. Other options: fennel seed (use sparingly), shredded carrot, shredded zucchini, chopped onion, can of mushrooms, etc. You would be amazed at what you can do with a simple run of the mill can of store bought spaghetti sauce.

Looking for way to cut back on a few calories and fat grams? But LOVE the pasta and rice mixes that are so popular? NO problem. Instead of using the suggested amount of water AND Butter, substitute Low Sodium Chicken Broth for the water. Presto! Still has great flavor and less of the stuff you don't want! While you are at it, make that side dish a meal by stirring in leftover grilled chicken, or baked ham. Also try stirring in peas, carrots, broccoli, asparagus, etc. Dinner is served and you can feel good about it.

Craving Chocolate cake but don't want to drag out every baking item in the pantry? No worries, grab that box of cake mix in the back of your pantry! Prepare as suggested, but stir in 1 tsp vanilla, or zest of an orange, or a flavoring extract!
Depending on the "flavor" of mix you are using other great stir ins are chopped candy bar, coconut, or nuts. Want to take it to another level? Take that plain yellow cake mix and pour it over halved stone fruits arranged in bottom of the pan (cut side down) with a quick caramel poured over them. Turn the cake out and be amazed at the beautiful creation you have made! And with a Mix!!

Your favorite cutting board looking a little dingy? Slice a lemon in half, sprinkle coarse salt on the cutting board and scrub the board with the lemon (cut side down). Presto! Fresh board ready to go!

"Cubing" and Avocado: Cut avocado in half, remove pit. With a paring knife cut a grid, on a diagonal, into the meat of the avocado. Use fingers to gently push on skin of the avocado turning it "inside out" and run knife down back, OR use a spoon to scoop the inside out. It will come out in pretty chunks, ready to use on your salad with little fuss! (this changed my life)

Microwave have a few stubborn spots in it that just won't scrub out? Try this, it works Every Time for me. Place a small bowl or mug of water in the microwave with a half a lemon in the bowl (juice squeezed in water) and nuke it for a couple minutes. Remove bowl and wipe out microwave with damp towel. This will also help freshen the smell of your microwave. Ever burnt popcorn? ;-)

To bring your stainless steel sink back to life use the lemon and salt rub from above. When finished, polish with Turtle wax. Yes, I said Turtle Wax. And Yes, I mean the same kind you would use on your car. Try it! You will love your sink again.

When cooking bacon, steaks or other medium to high fat content meats in the oven on a nonstick cooling rack inside a sheet pan, put a layer of salt under the nonstick cooling rack to absorb the grease drippings! It makes clean up a breeze, just wipe out and wash, and will help prevent smoking/fires in the oven from all that grease.

Add a pinch of nutmeg (fresh grated is always best) and a clove of minced garlic to any jarred Alfredo sauce to add a ton of flavor.

Almost ANYTIME I am using chocolate to bake with, I add a Tbsp or so of instant coffee grounds. It is hard to explain, but trust me- Coffee makes Chocolate taste much more Chocolaty! It is amazing what it does! Also great in a chocolate cake mix!

When having a bunch of really picky eaters over, or maybe you just don't know their dislikes and likes, make a Baked potato bar, or taco bar. Offer a good variety of "toppings", make sure and include some vegetarian items such as pinto/black beans for tacos. Try throwing something unusual that "most people" would not think of on the baked potato bar such as: leftover chili, salsa, sauteed peppers and onions, left over pot roast-shredded, etc. You will have a no stress dinner prep and your guests will love it.

Sick of the same old Iced tea? Try adding a few slices of cantaloupe to the pitcher, and/or blueberries. Yum!


Okay, those are a few of my favorites. I will post more at a later date in another blog. Let's hear yours. Post your fave tips, tricks and shortcuts in the comments section.

Happy Cooking everyone!