Category: Preparation
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Microwave Citrus Fruits for More Juice
If you microwave lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits for 15-20 seconds before squeezing, you can expect to extract more juice.
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Freeze Fresh Herbs in Oil
Chop fresh herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray for easy portioning.
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Use a Spoon to Peel Ginger
Instead of a knife, use the edge of a spoon to easily scrape off ginger skin.
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Keeping Brown Sugar Soft
To keep brown sugar soft, place a few marshmallows in the container with the sugar. The moisture in the marshmallows prevents hardening and can keep the sugar soft for several weeks. Replace the marshmallows if they dry out.
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Quickly Peel Garlic
To peel garlic quickly, separate the cloves and place them in a jar with a lid. Shake the jar vigorously for 15-30 seconds. The motion loosens the skins, making them easy to remove. Check the cloves and repeat if needed, then discard the skins and use the peeled garlic.
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Cut Corn in a Bundt Pan
Cut your corn in the cob using a Bundt pan for minimal clean up and quick work. Place one end of the corn cob in the middle hole as you cut the kernels, which will drop into the Bundt pan.
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Grate Butter
Grating butter allows it to soften quickly and evenly, making it ideal for recipes requiring softened butter without waiting for it to come to room temperature. Grated butter easily incorporates into dry ingredients, ensuring a more consistent texture in baked goods.
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Substitute Rolling Pin
You can use a wine bottle as a rolling pin.
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Boil Water Quickly
Covering the pot while bringing water to a boil helps trap heat, allowing the water to boil faster. This is useful for tasks like making pasta, steaming vegetables, or heating soup. Avoid covering the pot if a recipe specifies against it, as this can alter cooking times.
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Dice Through a Cooling Rack
Place the cooling rack over a bowl or cutting board. Cut the food into manageable pieces, then press through the grid of the cooling rack using a firm object or your hand. The food will be diced uniformly, falling into the bowl or board below.