tip

If you are using insulated cookie sheets (two sheets of aluminum with air pocket in-between), allow 1 to 2 minutes longer to bake. [more]

Add more dimension and flavor to chili stews by adding a pinch of instant coffee powder or unsweetened cocoa powder. [more]

Not sure of the size of a casserole dish? It isn’t marked? These dishes are measured by volume. To find the size add water to dish then measure the liquid. [more]

Are you finding that ingredients (nuts, raisins, chopped dried fruit, etc.) sink to the bottom in your batters? If the batter is not thick enough to suspend the ingredients, finely chop ingredients. … [more]

When flouring greased pans for baking chocolate cakes, substitute cocoa flour for regular flour. [more]

If a recipe calls for eggs at room temperature and you are running short on time, simply place eggs in very warm (but not hot) water for 5 to 10 minutes. Room temperature is ideal for eggs used in … [more]

If you do not have clarified butter when a recipe calls for high-heat saute cooking, substitute olive oil for ¼ of the whole butter. The higher smoke point of the olive oil will help prevent the … [more]

When baking bread and it begins browning to fast, tent the bread. [more]

Don’t have a loaf pan? A round 1 ½ quart souffle or quart dish can be substituted for an 8x4 inch pan. Also, a 2 quart dish can substituted for 9x5 inch pan. [more]

You should never substitute whipped butter for regular butter in baking. The reason why is that whipped butter contains 30 to 45 percent air. [more]

To test Combine ¼ tsp baking soda with 2 tsp vinegar. If mixture bubbles, it is good to use. [more]

To test: add 1 tsp baking powder to 1 cup hot water. If it bubbles rapidly, it’s good to use. [more]

Glass is a great conductor of heat. Glass retains heat better than even metal. When using glass bakeware, reduce oven temperature by 15 - 20 degrees(F), depending on oven. [more]

Artichokes can’t handle reactive cookware such as iron or aluminum. Unless your iron pot is enameled you should avoid using these types of pans as they will turn the artichokes an ugly … [more]

You should only use stainless-steel knives and not carbon blades because the latter will darken and discolor flesh. [more]

Perforate brown paper bag. Place ripe apple into bag with banana and close. Let sit at room temperature for a day or two. [more]

Sometimes even the best cooks manage to burn food onto they’re nicest pans. So for pans with baked-on food, sprinkle some baking soda over the tough spots, add a little hot water and allow to soak … [more]

There are two types of dry yeast: Regular Active Dry Rapid-Rise The two types of dry yeast can be used interchangeably. The advantage of the rapid-rise is the rising time is half that of the active … [more]

Most fruits are delicate creatures and need to be handled with care. Always wash them individually and with a low flow of water to prevent bruising. To ripen fruit, be it avocados berries, melons, … [more]

When roasting, grilling or barbequing or otherwise cooking meat, you want to let the meat sit for at least five minutes after you remove it from the heat, because it is going to keep cooking. Once … [more]