tips in the kitchen

just remembered another one - to stop your stirrers sliding into the bowl put a rubber band at the end of the spoon. works like a charm every time.

Also i tend to make my own cleaning product by mixing the following in water:
1/4 part bleach
1/3 part vinegar
1/5 part dishwashing liquid

i find that it works wonders in keeping the bench tops clean and the baked on grease on the stove tops come off so much easier if i spray and let it sit for five mins.

It also works wonders with the shower screens in the bathrooms. I can't seem to get the grime off with any other commercial product.

Hmm...

1. Sharpen your knives often - nothing sucks more than a dull knife (this will also help with the onions, the sharper the knife - i find anyway - the less I cry).

2. Sea-Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper (ground yourself) are staples when it comes to cooking anything. I have 2 ramekins in my kitchen, One with Sea salt and one with fresh ground black pepepr. (Even Pink, or Green pepper works wonders in soups and such)

3. You can never have enough Garlic.

4. Cooking with Wine is a Must. Whether its in the food your preparing, or in your glass. Either way, Wine must be involved.

Here's a Really Great Salad Dressing Recipe
- 1/2 Cup Grapeseed Oil
- Splash of Vinnegar (2TBS roughly)
- Splash of Lemon Juice (about the same)
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- Tonnes of Garlic
- Greek Seasoning, Oregano, and/or Red Pepper Seasoning
- Shake well, let stand for about an hour for the flavors to meddle
= Awesome Dressing

My aunt, also sautees EVERYTHING in this. When I used to eat meat, I used to sautee Shrimp and Scallops in this... Excellent.

OH And dont forget - Good music. I usually listen to Led Zeppelin, when I'm cooking. Anything with great guitars is awesome. Last week at my parents house, I cooked with The Allman Brothers.

- Carrot




[edit on 11/16/2008 by CA_Orot]

[edit on 11/16/2008 by CA_Orot]

reply to post by parrhesia

never, ever wash your hands in warm water after cutting onions or garlic. that's when your pores open up or something and the smell soaks in and lingers.
rinse in cold water only and usually there is no smell left

This is worth repeating several times, because some people like me never learn their lesson.

Always wear gloves when working with hot peppers.

other general tips:

when cooking rice, don't stir or remove the cover until the 20 minutes up if you want fluffy rice.

Put the onion in the freezer for about 10 minutes before cutting for no tears.

Use leftover, clean but used aluminum foil paper to scrub your pots (not the treated type of pans of course)

Originally posted by maynardsthirdeye

Originally posted by JustAnotherHologram
Does anyone have a sercret to lessen onion fumes? Onions make me cry like a baby!

NFL draft


My secret tip for kitchen: drink wine


-JAH

It sounds a little weird but if you wear sunglasses when you chop onions, you shouldn't cry.

If you're cooking for people or a party, learn progressive cooking (timing) so you can have all your dishes come out around the same time

Let a turkey or roast stand 15 minutes before cutting

To test if an egg is hard boiled, put it on its side and spin in very fast. It should stand straight up with no wobble..this really works

Don't wrap your potatoes in tinfoil, can drag out the nutrients

Cayenne Cayenne Cayenne!

Spice it up with Cayenne...it has superpowers for healing the stomach, arteries and of course your tastebuds :-p

Plus I heard it can perform magic too...good at parties

-Kyo

[edit on 9-3-2010 by KyoZero]

Originally posted by Oldtimer2
Being a batchelor the last 9 yrs my tips for keeping kitchen clean,go out to dinner buy buy ready made food,not only does it keep kitchen clean,save on water soap,electricity,plus makes more room in the refridgerator for beer!

I bet you're one healthy fella!

Clean up as you go along, my mam always told me to do this, it's much easier and less messy! I never leave everything for later.

[edit on 9-3-2010 by valiant]

The best thing anyone whom loves to cook can do is install a ceiling fan! Best thing for keeping the onion chopping woes at bay.

Don't add salt to water till its already boiling or you'll get a weird bitter taste.

When making pasta, the boiling water should be as "salty as the sea."

Use kosher or sea salt- they taste better and are not iodized. You can get the iodine you need from foods, naturally.

When making soups and chilis, add a little good chocolate- white or dark depending on the type of soup. Sounds weird but it will give it an amazing body and texture. It must be good chocolate though- not crap nestle or other stuff.

Egg yolks make a great soup thickener for those that want to avoid things made with corn- but you must temper the eggs first (add a little hot liquid to the yolks before adding to the rest of the soup) or you'll end up with poached egg!

When adding liquids to a hot roux, your liquid must be cold or room temperature. When adding them to a cooled roux, they must be hot. Otherwise you'll get lumps.

Never add acidic ingredients to your bean dishes till the beans are already cooked through and tender. If you do, your beans won't become tender.

Don't salt your steaks till you're ready to eat them.

Don't trim ALL the fat people...fat = flavour. Also- meat with bones in it tastes better than de-boned meat.

Originally posted by JustAnotherHologram
Does anyone have a sercret to lessen onion fumes? Onions make me cry like a baby!

My secret tip for kitchen: drink wine


-JAH

Peel them and then hold them under cold running water, works a treat!

reply to post by Banshee


Never heard of this one. Now this is one I have to try for sure.
Thanks for the tip!

reply to post by JustAnotherHologram


Put the onions in the freezer one hour before cutting. I've heard that helps.

Hello ATS!
This is my first post here, I hope this helps you in the kitchen.
I'll come back later and write some more tips when I have some extra time.

1. If you place a metal spoon in a pasta pot of boiling water the water won't boil over.

2. Add a teaspoon of vinegar to boiling water to keep your poached eggs solidified.

3. For a nice light brown store bought look for home baked cookies always use parchment paper and bake on the middle rack of your oven.

reply to post by picklewalsh


I agree with this method for keeping your oven cleaner longer and also do the same...

One thing to remember though is you place shiny side down so the reflection does not increase your oven tempertures....

Tip for perfect rice.

Follow the RULE OF THUMB

Add enough water to rinsed, dry rice so that if you stick your inverted thumb into the middle of the pot, once the tip of your thumb touches the top of the rice, your fingernail will be covered by the water. No more. No less

Once you get that amount right - 20 minutes covered and viola! Perfect rice

PASTA

There is a brand of pasta, "Dreamfields" that comes in a black box.
This pasta contains 5g of carbs per 2oz. serving, for those who are diabetic and weight managing.
The best part is there is no taste difference from regular pasta.
I am diabetic and can not stand wheat pasta.
I eat two servings with no spike in my sugar level.

Cooking any pasta starts with the right size pot.
When cooking a pound of pasta, do not use the common 5 or 6 qt. pot ( this is why it boils over).
Use a 10 or 12 qt pot.
Adding salt to water is always good, but that is the cooks choice.
Adding olive oil is also a choice, but when adding olive oil your sauce will not cling to the pasta.
And yes rinse in cold water.

Another thing is Dreamfields pasta does not stick together.
The only drawback with Dreamfields is it costs about $2.50 for a 12oz box..

Originally posted by dreamlandmafia
Instead of washing the dishes off and then putting them in the dishwasher we put them on the floor and the dog licks the stuff off. Then we dont have to feed him. Its faster and hes not hungry.

I do that too, but mine is so good at it I don't even have to bother with the dishwasher.

Originally posted by JustAnotherHologram
Does anyone have a sercret to lessen onion fumes? Onions make me cry like a baby!

My secret tip for kitchen: drink wine


-JAH

Light a candle next to where you are cutting the onions

mine is truffle salt.

Hi i am new at here

Nice Sharing Friend