Pasta Gets Out the Last Bit of SauceIn my house, every little bit helps. When I make spaghetti, I always put a spoonful of cooked pasta in the jar to get all the sauce. It is so much better than putting water in the jar.
Using "Soft" PotatoesIf the potatoes are not rotten, but just "soft", simply peel and soak in a bowl of water overnight. Cut them for hash browns or french fries. Let them soak for another 10-15 minutes. Remove potatoes from water and cook. Use the water on your plants.
Use Brown Paper Bag to Drain Fried FoodWhen you are out of paper towels and need to drain fried food, like chicken or French fries, use one of those brown grocery bags. It absorbs the grease and you can just throw it away.
Search For Copycat Recipes For Your Favorite FoodsI moved to the UK from NY over 12 years ago and even now there are certain products that I can't get here, although it has improved a lot since 1997, or I can get them but they are ridiculously expensive because they are imported.
Reuse Pickling SolutionStore bought pickled baby corn is not cheap so I am doing well to replace the little corns with much less expensive canned version of unpickled corn and letting it cure for a couple days in the store bought solution.
Freeze Extra Taco MeatI always cook extra when making taco flavored meat and freeze the extra in meal sized portions.
Ask Guests to Bring Containers for LeftoversWhen we get together for a big dinner, holiday or such, I ask everyone who wants to take home leftovers to bring some containers from home. Either Tupperware or butter bowls. That way at the end of day I am not giving away my dishes.
Use a Fork for an Easy-Off Milk CapIf you're like me and have trouble opening milk and other items that have that perforated ring around the cap, here is a simple solution. Simply place one tong of a fork through the perforation, between the ring and the cap.
Warm Tortillas in the MicrowaveI found out if you microwave a tortilla shell with a paper dampened paper towel on it, the tortilla will be moist and not hard and brittle.
Tips For Vanilla ExtractWhen you open a bottle of vanilla, do not peel away the paper or plastic cover on the bottle after you remove the lid. Instead, poke a few holes or a small slit in it. You can measure more accurately and if the bottle turns over it will not spill out or leak in the cabinet.
Refreshing Unpopped Popcorn?How do I refresh older popcorn, before popping?
Transporting Soup for PotlucksWe have a lot of eat days at work for birthdays, etc. We usually have a theme. Occasionally, it will be a soup theme. The last time we had one of these parties I made the soup the evening before, and put it into a gallon sized zip lock bag.
Soak Raisins in Liquid Before Adding To RecipeWhenever a recipe calls for raisins, before adding them, I always soak them in a liquid that goes with the recipe. Praline liqueur or rum for bread pudding, apple or orange juice for cookies, breads, etc.
Steady Pizza Pan with Wet Dish ClothPut a wet dish cloth or towel on your counter under your pizza pan. This will keep your pan from "dancing around" while your trying to get the dough to the edges.
Refill Small Creamer ContainerI love to add creamer to my morning coffee. To save money and counter space, I bought the smallest container of creamer possible at the grocery store and refill it from a 50 oz. container that I buy at my local member's only warehouse store.
Add Parmesan Rind to SoupsTake a tip from the Italians and don't throw away the rind of your expensive slab of Parmesan cheese. Add it to soups and stocks (particularly for risotto) for delicious flavour.
Tenderize Meat with Lemon JuiceTo tenderize meat, add some lemon juice. Not too much because it will break the meat, just few drops.
Thaw Frozen Foods Instead of Preheating OvenAnytime I bake frozen foods, such as frozen dinner, pies, entrees and pizza, I take the frozen item out of the freezer 20 minutes before I would put it in the oven, I remove the carton and all wrapping.
Make Extra when Baking SnacksWhen you make snacks in your oven, like fish sticks, burritos, french fries, pies, pizza, or whatever, bake enough at one time for a couple meals. After you eat your snack or meal, just put the rest in the fridge, and then microwave it.
Use Lecithin for Non-Stick Cooking SprayIn search of ways to save money, I have run across liquid lecithin. This is good for making non-stick cooking spray by combining half liquid lecithin and half grape seed oil and flavoring with imitation butter, to taste.
Measure Oil Before HoneyWhenever a recipe calls for honey, first measure out the oil for the recipe (or if it doesn't call for oil, just spread a little oil all over the measuring cup), then measure out the honey, and it should come out of the cup like a charm!
Defrost Meats in Cooking PanRefrigerate or thaw your meat in the pan that you are going to cook it in. You create less dishes this way and it keeps your fridge free of drippings.
Using CheeseCheeses should be served at room temperature, approximately 70 degrees F. To prevent cheese from sticking to a grater, spray the grater with cooking spray before beginning.
Make Centerpiece from VegetablesDecorating for a party but you don't have any fresh flowers? Want your table to make a statement with an impressive presence? This idea is so awesome, I just had to share it with you as it's especially eye-catching on a buffet table.
Easy Lemon SqueezingIf you have cold lemons and you need to squeeze juice from them, soak your lemons in hot tap water for about ten minutes before you squeeze them and you'll be able to squeeze out much more juice.
Buy Loose Mushrooms Instead of Pre-PackagedI buy loose white mushrooms by the pound instead of the pre- packaged ones. They are bigger, plumper and fresher. They do cost a little more but I get a 1/2 lb. which is usually the cost of the packaged 10 oz. mushrooms.
Keeping Brisket Hot and Moist?My smoked brisket is ready way before my guests arrive. How do I keep it moist for 4 hours?
Use Baggie Instead of FunnelI needed to transfer some very small pet food to a better container and I couldn't find my funnel, because I live with a lot of people who don't put things back. I tried making a small hole into a sandwich bag and inserting the hole into the container.
Making Rigatoni in Advance for a Party?I am making rigatoni for a graduation party. How can you make the pasta ahead and then add the sauce?
Soften Dried Dates and Figs with a Slice of AppleIf dried dates or figs have hardened, place in a jar with a slice of apple. They'll soon be soft again.
Peanut Butter and Mayonnaise SandwichesI have been enjoying peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches lately. They are great! They taste good too. My hubby eats them all the time, so I finally tried one and I will probably do this from now on.
Uses for Jam or PreservesYou can add grape jelly or preserves (or whatever flavor you choose) to smoothies, yogurt, smoothies, pancakes, waffles, french toast, cottage cheese, oatmeal, ice cream, or muffins.
Use Lingerie Bag to Wash LettuceI have a salad spinner, but I want to be sure the greens were as clean as possible, So I purchased a lingerie bag with a drawstring. I put the greens inside, fasten it up, and slush them through several rounds of clean water, take it outside, spin it around, and shake it.
Keeping Fingerprints Off MicrowaveWhen placing something in your microwave, instead of using your finger on the key pad, use the knuckle of your index finger. It won't leave a finger print.
Add Ketchup Packets to SoupTo use those ketchup packets from fast food places, add them to homemade vegetable soup for a flavor boost.
Use Baby Food When CookingI had leftover baby food jars of pureed vegetables. I didn't know anyone to give it to, so I decided to do the thrifty thing and find a way to use it. I made a homemade beef vegetable pot pie and put 2 or 3 jars in the potpie.
Visual Clues For Serving Sizes1 teaspoon = quarter, tip of thumb. 1 tablespoon = silver dollar, whole thumb.
Use Plates In Oven For Heating FoodIf you need to heat something up in the oven, but can't find a flat pan, here's what you can do. Take an ovenproof plate or saucer and put a piece of aluminum foil on the plate.
Cut Lemon in Thirds Before SqueezingIf you like to use one of those lemon squeezers but find it difficult to get enough leverage on the handles, cut the lemon in thirds. You will have two "caps" and one round disk. Much easier on arthritic hands.
Getting Fruit Roll-Ups off the WrapperIn warm weather, Fruit Roll-ups stick stubbornly to their wrapper at LEAST 8 out of 10 times. But, if you pop them in the freezer for thirty seconds, they separate easily and are still pliable enough to be eaten and stretched!
Salt to Clean Up EggsTo easily clean up spilled eggs, pour salt on top of the eggs to cover them. Then wipe up with a paper towel.
Cut Triangle in Foil Seal on Coffee CansI have found that coffee cans now have a foil seal under the lid. If you cut a triangle in the foil from the middle to the outside, the coffee grounds don't spill all over when you pour them. Don't cut the triangle too wide.
Teapot as Alternative for Gravy BoatUse a teapot for a gravy boat if you don't have a gravy boat. It is easy for kids to pour.
Stretching Hamburger HelperMake your Hamburger Helper go further (store brand, on sale, of course). With a household of 4 big eaters, a box of Hamburger Helper is just barely enough. If the kids have a friend over, forget it.
Buy Extra Turkeys During Holiday SalesSave time and money with turkey. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, turkeys are on sale so buy an extra 20 lb. one at each holiday and freeze it. Big turkeys have a larger ratio of meat to bone than small ones.
Hold Tail End of Zucchini When GratingI had to bake zucchini bread today and it called for grating a zucchini. I didn't want to cut my fingers, so I turned the zucchini upside down and held onto the tail end, making it easier to grate and safer for my fingers at the same time. The bread tasted delicious!
Cover Hot Handle With Oven MittSome recipes we use call for browning meat in a pan and then putting the pan in the oven to let the meat finish cooking. Whenever I use a pan with a long handle, the same problem occurs.
Use Back Of Knife To Scrape Food Off Cutting BoardAfter dicing or chopping something, it's common to scrape the knife across the cutting board into a bowl using the blade of the knife. This is a good way to dull your knife. To keep it sharp, flip the knife upside down and use the spine to scrape off the board.
Lime Gelatin TreesUse pointed paper cups for making lime gelatin "trees." Cut away paper when mold is firm and decorate with cream cheese or Cool Whip.
Use Bundt Pan When Cutting Corn Off CobUse an angel food cake pan to cut corn off the cob. The end stands up nicely in the hole and the pan catches all the kernels.
Use Metal Faucet To Remove Onion OdorWhen you cut an onion and you can't get the smell off, put some dish detergent on your hands and rub your faucet up and down on it for about 1 or 2 minutes then rinse. The smell should be gone.
Microwave Portion Of Meat For Taste TestWhenever I want to test the seasoning for something that I don't want to eat raw, like meat loaf, or tuna patties, I pinch off a few tablespoons of the raw mixture and cook it in the microwave for a few minutes.
Peeling AlmondsSoak almonds in warm water for a minute if you need to peel them quickly.
Label Reusable Containers With Dry Erase MarkersUse dry erase board markers for labeling plastic food storage containers. They will easily wash off with soapy water.
Rescuing A Burned Pot of FoodWhen making a pot of food and you get distracted, it might start to burn on the bottom. To save the pot of food, quickly transfer it to another pot without stirring.
Toss Salad In a BagTo toss a salad quickly, with little mess and clean-up, use a gallon ziploc bag. Place vegetables in the bag and toss with salad dressing. Toss or wash the bag for later use.
Frugal and Healthy Food FindsI just came across an interesting site I would like to share with all. I haven't yet ordered will be doing so shortly. It's www.honeyvillegrain.com; they sell healthy products that I saw recommended several places.
Save Mixed Beans and Grains for SoupWhen you buy macaroni, dried beans, peas, rice, etc., take out about a quarter of a cup and put in a separate jar. When you are ready to make soups or stews, you can use this mixture.
Even Cake SlicesIf you are slicing cakes for sale and want to have even squares, logs, halves, etc., place a cake cooling rack over the top of your cake pan, before you turn cakes out.
Keep Sweet Potatoes From Staining PotIf your cooking pans become discolored inside when boiling sweet potatoes, try rubbing the inside of the kettle with cooking oil before adding the water and potatoes. Then the clean up won't be a problem.
Using Shower Caps for Bowl CoversAt beauty supply stores you can buy shower caps in numerous quantities, but reasonably priced. They usually come in boxes of varied sizes. These make great kitchen bowl covers when you have lost a lid, are too lazy to search for the lid.
Velveeta Mexican CheeseWhen making all the different chili dips with cheese put in, why not use Velveeta's new Mexican Cheese? Boy, that gives a real nice zip.
Shop Pet Aisle for Reusable Can LidsYou can find rubber lids that fit aluminum cans at many pet food stores, designed for resealing pet food cans. I use these to recover opened aluminum cans or juice concentrate containers for "human" food as well.
Snack Bucket from Coffee ContainerSince I hate to throw anything out in the garbage if it can be used a second time, I made a snack bucket from a Folgers Coffee Container. To cut down the cost, I covered all the labels with wallpaper instead of painting the canister.
Ice Pops For Hotel TreatsWhen you are vacationing and you know you will be staying in a hotel with a mini-fridge, throw some unfrozen ice pops in your suitcase when you go and pop them in the freezer when you arrive in your room.
Thrifty Larger FunnelI needed some way to put pickle relish into a squeeze container. I knew my standard size funnel was too small, and using a spoon was too messy. I thought of the lid to a Tupperware shaker container that I use a lot, took the cap off, and found my new funnel!
Melt Marshmallows For Rice Krispies OutsideTemperature at 4 this afternoon was 102 degrees F. It has been hot today. Too hot for our area. I wanted to make a batch of Rice Krispie treats, and just for curiosity I decided to see if the marshmallows would melt in the sun.
Ziploc as Lid AlternativeIf the lid for your bowl is broken or lost, put the bowl in gallon Ziploc. This keeps it airtight, just like a lid. Maybe better.
Add Frozen Peas To Cool SoupEveryone loves hot soup, but sometimes soup can be too hot to enjoy. To cool soup that is too hot, add a spoonful of frozen peas to each bowlful.
Sprinkling Cinnamon Sugar on FoodsFor sprinkling cinnamon sugar on food, I use an empty spice jar. I fill it with the mix and use it also on pancakes, cakes, and rice.
Shaping MeatballsWhat is your favorite method for shaping meatballs? There are a number of ways to shape meatballs once the ingredients have been mixed. This is a page about shaping meatballs.
Freeze and Reuse Fryer OilFreeze left over oil from the turkey fryer or other frying oils used. Place in a freezer-safe container and label. When you need oil later, let thaw and use. You can also freeze Crisco without any loss or change in quality.
Shower Cap Food CoverInstead of using cling wrap to cover food or leftovers in the frig, I use a clear shower cap that has elastic. This can be washed and reused many times and is much easier to remove from containers than the clingwrap.Hope this helps.
Check the Ounces on Canned FoodI don't know how long this has been going on, but I think it is pretty new. Today the sale adds for groceries came to the house. I saw that Starkist Tuna was on sale, 2 cans for $1.00. I know that this is a really good price now, so I planned on stocking up.
Pouring Large Cup of LiquidI often go to the local convenience store for a "no ice" fountain drink. When I come home, I transfer it to a smaller container with a lid that seals better. Once the lid is off the drink container, it can be clumsy to pour.
Stick Butter Slicer for Soft FoodsIf you need a food slicer, you can use a stick butter slicer, shown, to slice not only stick butter, but boiled eggs, bananas, small to medium cucumbers, cooked whole beets, anything soft enough to go througjh the wires without breaking them.
Uses for Juicer PulpThis page is about uses for juicer pulp. There are a variety of uses for the fibrous juicer pulp that might otherwise go to waste.
Shelling NutsThis is a page about shelling nuts. It's often less expensive to buy shelled nuts, but it can be difficult to remove the shells without damaging the meat. This page will help you get crackin'.
Saving Money on Salad DressingThis is a page about saving money on salad dressing. Prepared salad dressings can sometimes be pricey.
Making a Kitchen Knife HolderThis is a page about making a kitchen knife holder. Kitchen knives are more safely stored if kept in some type of holder.
Preventing Spills in the KitchenThis is a page about preventing spills in the kitchen. There are some creative ways to avert spills in the kitchen.
Frugal Kitchen Tips and TricksThis is a page containing frugal kitchen tips and tricks. Food and kitchen tools and supplies can be a major part of the family budget.
Salad Tips and TricksThis is a page about salad tips and tricks. Do you talk yourself out of having a salad because of the prep time?
Preventing Tears When Chopping OnionsThis is a page about preventing tears when chopping onions. Cutting onions releases an irritant that makes us tear up or cry.
Chopping Green OnionsThis is a page about chopping green onions. Chopped green onions are great on salads and in many recipes.
Ice Cream Serving TipsThis page contains ice cream serving tips. Sometimes ice cream is too hard, making serving it a challenge.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich TipsThis page contains peanut butter and jelly sandwich tips. A quick favorite sandwich in many American homes.
Eliminating Food Waste at HomeThis is a page about eliminating food waste at home.There are ways when shopping and dealing with leftovers that can help in eliminating food waste.
Making SmoothiesWith a good blender, smoothies can be made with all kinds of fruits, milk products, nutritional supplements, and even some vegetables. This page is about making smoothies.
Marinating Tips and TricksTo immerse your meat or vegetables in a sauce before grilling or baking can make for delicious meal. This page contains marinating tips and tricks.
Keeping Homemade Cookies FreshThis is a page about keeping homemade cookies fresh. Homemade cookies do not contain the preservatives used in commercial snacks.
Stopping the Burn from Spicy FoodSpicy food can often result in a burning sensation in your mouth or on your tongue. This is a page about stopping the burn from spicy food.
Using Tomato PasteThis is a page about using tomato paste. Many recipes call for tomato paste, often in small quantities, in addition to or rather than sauce.
Removing Food Odors from HandsThis page is about removing food odors from hands. Besides wearing food handling gloves, there are ways to remove the smells of food preparation from your hands.
Cleaning MushroomsThis is a page about cleaning mushrooms. Mushrooms often have some of the planting mix still clinging to them when you buy them at the market.
Using Cracker CrumbsCracker crumbs make a great breading or filler for ground meats. This is a page about using cracker crumbs.
Pitting CherriesIf you don't have a cherry pitter when the cherries are ripe, it helps to a easy way to pit them. This page is about pitting cherries.
Cooking With Zucchini?If the recipe calls for 2 small zucchini grated, what would the equivalent grated large zucchini be?
Grilled Cheese Tips and TricksThis page contains grilled cheese tips and tricks. A favorite toasted sandwich for many people.
Keeping Ice Cream Cones from DrippingThis is a page about keeping ice cream cones from dripping. Eating an ice cream cone does not have to end in melted ice cream dripping down your arm.
Warming TortillasThis is a page about warming tortillas. Warm tortillas can be served alone as a bread item or used to wrap up your favorite filling.
Store Meal Essentials TogetherWhen I pre-cook meal essentials like seasoned taco meat, I store it in a wire basket in the fridge with the tortillas, cheese, salsa, etc. so I can grab the basket and assemble the meal without having to track down 6 items in various parts of the fridge. Storing each ingredient in a Ziploc takes up less space, too, than plasticware.
Uses for Cupcake LinersThese food papers can come in handy for many things in the kitchen. This page has uses for cupcake liners.
Cake Frosting Tips and TricksThis page contains cake frosting tips and tricks. There are things you can do that can make icing cakes easier.
Gravy Making Tips and TricksThis page contains gravy making tips and tricks. Wonderful gravy can make any meal a big success.
Transporting a CakeThis page is about transporting a cake. Using the proper container and a little support can help to keep your cake perfect.
Uses for Stale CrackersThis page contains uses for stale crackers. When the package gets left open, you can end up with not so crisp crackers.
Casserole Tips and TricksThis page contains casserole tips and tricks. There are a number of ways to enhance these baked dishes.
