Did you know... Fat Free Stock or Soup

To make fat free soups or stocks, chill the soup or stocks.  The fat rises to the top, so you can remove it.

Did you know... Keeping track of oil use

Do Not just pour your oil into the pan.  Measure it first so you can keep track of your oil/fat useage.

Did you know... Toast whole spices

Toasting whole spices in a dry skillet over  medium heat will bring out more flavor before grinding.  Be careful not to burn.

Did you know... Shelf life of Herbs

Typically herbs and ground spices holds their flavor for a year, but whole spices can last up to 3 years.

Did you know... Parchment Paper

Use parchment paper to line baking pans.  So you don't have to use butter or spray oil on pans.  It makes it super easy to remove cookies.

Did you know... Dried Herbs

When using dried herbs for a recipe that calls for fresh, typically 1/3 of the amount is used.

Did you know ... Storing Cheese

When storing cheese in your refrigerator keep it wrapped tightly in plastic.   Air is the enemy of cheese, it promotes mold growth. If your cheese does grow some mold just cut it off.

Did you know ... Avoid Refrgerating Berries

Avoid Refrigerating Berries…  Yes, it might help to keep them longer, but refrigerators also tend to suck the moisture out of foods, especially if not well covered. Like tomatoes, they should be kept outside and eaten as soon as possible.

Did you know... Bath Booster

Bath booster- add 1/2 cup vinegar to bath water to soothe dry skin and get a cleaner tub.  Add an essential oil to counteract the smell.

Did you know... Storing Summer Squash

Store summer squash (which includes Zucchini)… Refrigerate summer squash in plastic bag for up to 4 days.  DO NOT wash until ready to use.

Did you know...Let air out of the bag

I found a way to remove most of the air from plastic bags when storing leftovers or ingredients.  Place the food in a freezer bag and seal it almost closed, leaving on corner open.  Submerge the entire bag in a bowl of water, except for the open corner.  The water pressure pushes the air in the bag out through the opening.  Quickly seal it the rest of the way.

Did you know...

If you accidentally oversalt the food, add some type of citrus or acid to balance it out.

Did you know...

You can Freeze Herbs (I was really surprised by this)

If your naturally green thumb has left you with bushels of herbs, sometimes drying them leaves them tasteless. Freezing them at their freshest is a great way to store moist herbs to retain flavor. Start by washing and pat-drying your leafy herbs. You may want to chop them into desired portions before freezing. On a small tray or cookie sheet, spread the herbs out individually on top of parchment paper and place them covered in the freezer. Once frozen solid, remove the herbs, place them in an airtight plastic bag and pop back into freezer until you are ready to use. You could even spoon herbs into an ice tray and fill it halfway with water. When they're ready, simply plop the herbs in a stew or your next dish. Flavorful herbs such as mint are best with iced tea or even your next chilled cocktail.  

Did you know....

Steep a cup of vanilla tea in hot water and sip slowly. Or sniff a bottle of vanilla extract or essential oil slowly and deeply three times whenever you need to de-stress or calm down.

Did you know...

Nourish bones as well as skin by choosing orange juice fortified with calcium and vitamin D.

Did you know...

Did you know...  Clean copper pot bottoms with dill pickle juice.  Pour juice into large bowl, set the pan in the juice for 15 min.  It will look like new.

Did you know...

Did you know... Stubborn stains on Non stick cookware can be removed by boiling 2 tbsp baking soda, 1/2 cup vinegar, & 1 cup water for 10 min.  Before using the pan again, season with canola oil.

Did you know...

Did you know... Try an use Canola oil for frying.  It is low in saturated fat and has a high burning point.

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Did you know... To make fluffier pancakes substitute club soda for milk in the batter.

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Did you know...  Left over heels from loaf of bread can be ground up and frozen for bread crumbs at a later date.