EXTENSION REPORT

“I NEVER THOUGHT OF DOING THAT”

COOKING TIPS 

Have you ever cooked pasta and the pot boiled over causing the flame to go out or heating element to smoke?  Ever wondered what you could do to moisten your cake?  Well here are some cooking tips you may not have known to try.

-To prevent your pasta from boiling over, place a wooden spoon across the top of the boiler.  This will separate the steam and keep your water from boiling over.  Also you can rub butter around the rim of the boiler.

-Want to add a little moisture to your cake batter, add ½ cup of sour cream.  You will not taste it and it adds excellent moisture to your cakes.

-For an easier way to get brownies out of the pan, line pan with foil so that it laps loosely over sides.  Try cutting two pieces and place one piece vertical and one piece horizontal.  Press down and crease bottom corners.  Pour batter and bake.  Let cool and use foil handles to lift brownies out of pan.  Cut and store.

-Instead of using a bowl to mix dry ingredients, use a parchment paper and sift ingredients together.  Use as desired.

-To get pan cooked steaks and pork chops golden brown without overcooking, pat meat dry before seasoning, then cook with desired amount of oil.

-Boiled eggs can peel easily if you add a lot of salt to the water before cooking.

-When sautéing vegetables, make sure the oil is hot before adding vegetables or meat.  This holds in all flavors.

-Instead of peeling and chopping small pearl onions, use frozen and add directly to dish.

-Preheat your crock pot before putting in cold foods to prevent it from cracking.

-Pre bake your pie crusts for 10 minutes, add filling, and continue to cook until done.  This will prevent your crust from becoming soggy and give crispier crust.

-To grease a cake pan, use a paper towel.  It makes the clean up easier.

-To remove skin from chicken, use a paper towel and pull it off.  It instantly clings and adds for easy removal of the skin.

-Refrigerate cookie dough before cooking to prevent from spreading and thinning.

-To get rid of the fishy smell and taste, add about 1 cap full of vinegar mixed in a gallon of water.  Place fish in water and soak for 15 minutes. 

-If preparing a dish that needs boiled eggs, place egg(s) in a plastic zipper locked bag, and using a knife, chop in bag until eggs are desired size.

-Clean your grill by spraying it with vinegar, letting set for 5 minutes, and wiping with a clean, wet towel, or paper towel.  No scrubbing and no chemicals.

-Precook ground beef in large batches and freeze in portion sizes in zipper locked bags.  It’s ready when you need it for spaghetti, tacos, chili, etc.  Just take it out, season as desired, and stir in sauces.

-Use a plastic knife when cutting lettuce.  A metal knife will turn lettuce brown.

-If you have onion breath, eat a piece of chocolate.

-Stand taco shells up on oven racks with open face down to heat.  This will keep them from closing up and allows for more stuffing.  Also it heats faster and more even.

-Instead of using water in a cake mix recipe, add buttermilk.  It will allow for the lightest fluffiest cakes.

Some of these ideas were gathered from the community web exchange from WSFA.  Others are personal tips.  If you have questions on these tips or any others please contact Amelia McGrew, Regional Extension Agent in Food Safety, Preparation, and Preservation at the Mobile County Office (251) 574-8445 or email at mcgreaj@auburn.edu

Email address: mcgreaj@aces.edu
Phone number: (251) 574-8445

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.