Kitchen & Cooking Tips


  1. Using buttermilk as a meat marinade is an effective tenderizer. It also converts the proteins into B vitamins which helps the liver burn up to 38% more stored fat as energy.
  2. Adding sour cream to chili will curb the "hotness" of the fiery effect.
  3. Adding 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to each 1/4 cup of sour cream acts as a binder and prevents the sour cream from curdling in the heat of the chili.
  4. 2 parts instant coffee to 1 part water makes an effective paste for scratching nicks on dark furniture.
  5. Bake winter tomatoes for 30 minutes at 350 degrees to achieve that summer flavor. As the tomatoes cook, the sugars caramelize, giving them a sweeter and juicier flavor. Let them cool and then chop and toss with salads, salsas or fruits.
  6. For fluffier pancakes, separate the eggs and whip the whites into soft peaks before folding them into the remaining ingredients.
  7. Run your knife through a stick of butter before slicing marshmallows for that yam casserole. You won't end up with a sticky residue on your knife.
  8. Applying a teaspoon of butter to your cat's paws will help prevent hairballs.
  9. Adding a bit of butter to a watermark on your wood table before you go to bed will help replace the lost moisture from the wood. Just wipe away any residue the next morning.
  10. Rubbing butter on the edge of your snow shovel will help the snow slide right off as you toss it aside.
  11. Rubbing a bit of butter around dusty candles will make them look fresh again.
  12. Butter applied to the cut edges of blocks of cheese will prevent molding.
  13. Anchovies make a great seasoning for sauces, just a bit salty and spicy all at once. Remember to remove them before serving or mince them so fine that no one notices but you! Also remember a little goes a long way.
wildatheart

15 comments:

Tracie Nall said...

Great tips!! I never would have thought to rub butter on the knife before slicing marshmallows. Actually all of those butter ideas were new to me.

Happy TT!

Journeywoman said...

I did not know these. Great to know #1!

Happy TT!

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

No wonder I like butter so much. Great tips, thanks Tamy.

Anonymous said...

So buttermilk will actually help me lose weight? I'm there!

Anonymous said...

never knew butter could be so useful!

Deanna Dahlsad said...

I've never heard of putting butter on your shovel -- and I live in Fargo!

My TT is here.

jillconyers said...

Great tips. OK...the butter, cat and hairballs tip is weird :)

I'm going to try a few of the other "butter" tips. Thanks.

Hootin Anni said...

My mother always soaked her 'tough' pieces of beef in buttermilk.


My Thursday 13 is Halloween Themed jokes...come on over for some laughs. [You'll find it below my Thursday Thunks...scroll down a bit.]

Click HERE

Unknown said...

Too bad butter is so expensive. I'm sure Becel would work the same way. Great tips. Happy T3!

Calico Crazy said...

Cool list of cooking & food tips, I'll have to try some of them.

Calico Contemplations

Vi (pronounced Vy) said...

interesting tips that i never would have thought of. now, if i could only do more than use the microwave! lol

she
www.shebecameabutterfly.net

Kristen said...

I didn't realize butter was so useful. If only it were a bit cheaper, too! Hope the move is going well.

sandyland said...

i love lists like this especialy the tomato one which I will definitely try

Paige Prince said...

Oh wow, these are great tips!! I think my BF might be a little upset if I took the bite out of the chili, but I really want to try the sour cream trick! Sounds tasty! :)

I know I'm late... I got slammed at work yesterday. :( I have two TTs because I have two blogs - a personal blog (fear) and a book blog (my favorite books).
http://mamakittysbooks.blogspot.com/2009/10/thursday-thirteen-my-favorite-books.html
http://mamakitty729.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/087/

Forgetfulone said...

Rubbing a candle with nylon hose will make it shine like new again, too. These are great tips! Thinking about you on your move!