12 CLEVER IDEAS WORTH KNOWING

I'm always looking for and making lists of the kitchen hints I discover.  Here's 12 clever ideas to save you time, to make your food last longer, quick and easy leftover reheats and some ways to make your meals healthier.   Enjoy!
 

Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store.
If you leave them  connected at the stem, they ripen faster..

 

Store your opened  chunks of cheese in aluminum foil.
It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

Peppers with 3 bumps on  the bottom are sweeter and better for eating.
Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are  firmer and better for cooking.

 

Add  a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef.
It  will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

 

To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of
Spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up. (Caution: Be sure that you like this consistency in your scrambled eggs.)

 

For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed.  Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies.  Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

 

Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic, and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of  garlic.

 

 Snickers bars  make a delicious dessert.  Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core  and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish  and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples.  Bake at  350 for 15 minutes!!!  Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream.  Yummm!
                                                 
 

 Reheat Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet  on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy—no soggy micro pizza.  I saw this on a cooking channel and it really works.

 

Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up.
Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up  mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done, easy clean  up.

 

 Expanding  Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size.
You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same  amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.
                                        
 

Reheating Refrigerated Bread
To warm biscuits,  pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them  in
A microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food
Moist and help it reheat faster.

Four Minutes to Perfection

Had to pass this on.  This gentleman has perfected the art of easy, silkless corn on the cob.  Four minutes from unhusked to clean and ready to eat.  Watch Ken's short video for the tip. 

Roasting Some Hotties (Chilies That Is)

How To Roast Fresh Chile Peppers 

Chiles roasted over an open flame, or in the oven, impart a delicious smoky, chipotle flavor to salsas or any dish that uses chiles. This preparation is used for peppers used in chile rellenos and countless other Mexican food favorites.  

Here's an important warning when handling chiles: Wear gloves when working with hot chile peppers. This is no time to be macho. Never touch your eyes when working with chiles, fresh or dried. If you are not a glove person, make sure that you wash your hands very well with soap when you're done.  Alternately you may want to coat your hands with a small amount of cooking oil before you handle chiles. This prevents some of the oils from adhering to your skin.  Once your chile chores are completed wash your hands well with warm soapy water.

Gas Stove

How to char your fingernails

This method works well, especially in the RV kitchen, for roasting a small quantity of chile peppers. You may want to use a long handled cooking fork with a handle made with a non heat-conducting material. Pierce the pepper with the fork and hold the pepper over a gas flame (or grill flame), about 4" from the heat source. Keep turning the pepper until it is evenly charred on all sides. 

(Or if you like charred fingernails try the method in the photo, that's the way I do it.)

 The pepper skins should turn black when properly roasted. Place the roasted peppers in a plastic bag and seal the bag. (You can also use a small wire grilling basket and char a few peppers at a time.)

Stove Top Chile Grill

For larger quantity of chiles you can use a stove-top grill such as the one shown here. This fits over a gas or electric burner. Sit the chiles on top and turn occasionally to allow even charring.

Use tongs to keep the vegetables turned for even charring. This can also be done on a BBQ grill if you can get the chiles very close to the coals.

Oven Method

This is the secret!

This is my method of choice since I like to do a slew of peppers at once then freeze any extra in a baggie for later.  Freeze them in small

Preheat your oven to 450°F or broil  (232°C.) Spread the peppers evenly on a cookie sheet, in a single layer. Roast the peppers for about 4-5 minutes until the skins blister. Watch carefully so they do not burn but the skins will turn black. 

The secret to easily peeling regardless of the method you use?  Place the roasted peppers in a plastic bag and seal the bag.

Allow the chile peppers to 'sweat' in the plastic bag* for about 10 to 15 minutes. When you remove them from the bag they will be easy to peel. Rinse the peppers under cool running water (wear gloves!). Peel the chile, remove and discard the skin, seeds, and the veins. 

It's a messy job but somebody has to do it.  Preferably get hubby to help then claim you only have one pair of gloves and you'll be glad to let him do the honors. Hey, sometimes it works.

It may be desirable to have a small amount of the charred skin remain, depending on the dish. This can be a flavorful addition to fresh salsa.

*You may also use a paper bag but I find the peppers sweat more in plastic.  You can even put your hand right in the bag and peel the chiles leaving the skins inside the bag.  

Another possibility:  You can also use this method for roasting bell peppers (use various colors) and marinating them in a vinagrette.  This makes a great Italian style salad or condiment.

Kosher Salt, 7 Benefits

Table Salt or Kosher Salt?

Kosher salt got its name because it is used to cure meat in order to make the meat kosher. A misconception is that it is consumed by only those who follow the Jewish food laws, which allow only kosher foods to be eaten. In fact, kosher salt is not named after those guidelines and practices and does not conform to those standards. Another misconception of salt, in general, is that it will certainly lead to hypertension and other health problems. But, salt consumed in moderation is actually good for the body and its proper functioning. But is there any difference between table salt and the often mentioned in recipes, kosher salt?  Below is a list of several benefits that kosher salt provides:

1. Health Benefits

Every cell in the human body is dependent on sodium for survival. It serves many functions in the body, including helping to carry nutrients into the cells. It also helps to keep minerals and calcium soluble in our blood, regulate muscle contractions, and plays a role in nerve stimulation. It is also required to produce hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which is an important component of digestion. All salts, kosher salt included, helps the body regulate the electrolyte balance in and surrounding the body’s cells. It also serves to preserve the body’s blood cells and blood vessels. Low salt intake can lead to muscle spasms, irregular heart beat, increase risk of heart attack, and even sudden death.

2. No Additives

Kosher salt, as opposed to table salt, has no additives. Table salt, or iodized salt, often contains additives. Some common additives in common table salt include potassium iodide, sodium iodide, and sodium iodate. Also, sodium silicoaluminate or sodium ferrocyanide is commonly added to table salt as an anti-caking agent and occasionally added to kosher salt.

3. Flavor

Kosher salt, which does not contain the iodine additives that common table salt contains, tastes lighter, milder and cleaner than table salt. Kosher salt tends to be less salty overall than table salt.

4. Large, Coarse Grains

Kosher salt is comprised of larger and coarser grains compared to table salt. Due to the larger grain size, kosher salt is easier to pinch and measure with your fingers, which is why it is a favorite of many chefs. However, because different brands of kosher salt come in many different sizes of grains, it is often hard to pinpoint the exact amount, such as a teaspoon, for a recipe. But with practice and trial and error, you will begin to get a feel for the correct amount if you use one brand consistently.

5. Curing Meat

Pre-salting Meats

Kosher salt is ideal for curing meat due to its large surface area, which allows it to absorb more moisture than other salts. Curing meats gives them a longer “shelf life.”  Using a kosher salt layer before cooking meat breaks down the proteins improving the texture of the meat.

6. Bringing Out Flavor

Kosher salt is wonderful for bringing out the natural flavor in many foods and dishes. Without salt, the overall taste of many foods would be quite bland.

7. Decrease Cooking Time

Kosher salt will actually increase the temperature of the water when boiling foods, such as potatoes, pasta or vegetables. This, in turn, will shorten the amount of time that the food needs to cook. This can come in handy when you are in a hurry to put dinner on the table in the evening.

Eat Your Veggies

In Texas we're all meat and potato folks but the benefits of fruits, veggies and grains are endless and making one day a week meatless can avail us of many of the benefits in the chart below.  I printed a copy and keep it on the refrigerator for reference and I'm planning to make Monday's meatless.  What about you? This chart is awesome!  Everyone can use it.  Please pass it on to others.  Share this Chart with everyone   Apples Protects your heart Prevents constipation Blocks diarrhea Improves lung capacity Cushions joints Apricots Combats cancer Controls blood pressure Saves your eyesight Shields against Alzheimer's Slows aging process Artichokes Aids digestion Lowers cholesterol Protects your heart Stabilizes blood sugar Guards against liver disease Avocados Battles diabetes Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes Controls blood pressure Smooths skin Bananas Protects your heart Quiets a cough Strengthens bones Controls blood pressure Blocks diarrhea Beans Prevents constipation Helps hemorrhoids Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Stabilizes blood sugar Beets Controls blood pressure Combats cancer Strengthens bones Protects your heart Aids weight loss Blueberries Combats cancer Protects your heart Stabilizes blood sugar Boosts memory Prevents constipation Broccoli Strengthens bones Saves eyesight Combats cancer Protects your heart Controls blood pressure Cabbage Combats cancer Prevents constipation Promotes weight loss Protects your heart Helps hemorrhoids Cantaloupe Saves eyesight Controls blood pressure Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Supports immune system Carrots Saves eyesight Protects your heart Prevents constipation Combats cancer Promotes weight loss Cauliflower Protects against Prostate Cancer Combats Breast Cancer Strengthens bones Banishes bruises Guards against heart disease Cherries Protects your heart Combats Cancer Ends insomnia Slows aging process Shields against Alzheimer's Chestnuts Promotes weight loss Protects your heart Lowers cholesterol Combats Cancer Controls blood pressure Chili peppers Aids digestion Soothes sore throat Clears sinuses Combats Cancer Boosts immune system Figs Promotes weight loss Helps stops strokes Lowers cholesterol Combats Cancer Controls blood pressure Fish Protects your heart Boosts memory Protects your heart Combats Cancer Supports immune system Flax Aids digestion Battles diabetes Protects your heart Improves mental health Boosts immune system Garlic Lowers cholesterol Controls blood pressure Combats cancer Kills bacteria Fights fungus Grapefruit Protects against heart attacks Promotes Weight loss Helps stops strokes Combats Prostate Cancer Lowers cholesterol Grapes Saves eyesight Conquers kidney stones Combats cancer Enhances blood flow Protects your heart Green tea Combats cancer Protects your heart Helps stops strokes Promotes Weight loss Kills bacteria Honey Heals wounds Aids digestion Guards against ulcers Increases energy Fights allergies Lemons Combats cancer Protects your heart Controls blood pressure Smooths skin Stops scurvy Limes Combats cancer Protects your heart Controls blood pressure Smooths skin Stops scurvy Mangoes Combats cancer Boosts memory Regulates thyroid Aids digestion Shields against Alzheimer's Mushrooms Controls blood pressure Lowers cholesterol Kills bacteria Combats cancer Strengthens bones Oats Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Battles diabetes Prevents constipation Smooths skin Olive oil Protects your heart Promotes Weight loss Combats cancer Battles diabetes Smooths skin Onions Reduce risk of heart attack Combats cancer Kills bacteria Lowers cholesterol Fights fungus Oranges Supports immune systems Combats cancer Protects your heart Straightens respiration   Peaches Prevents constipation Combats cancer Helps stops strokes Aids digestion Helps hemorrhoids Peanuts Protects against heart disease Promotes Weight loss Combats Prostate Cancer Lowers cholesterol Aggravates  Diverticulitis Pineapple Strengthens bones Relieves colds Aids digestion Dissolves warts Blocks diarrhea Prunes Slows aging process Prevents constipation Boosts memory Lowers cholesterol Protects against heart disease Rice Protects your heart Battles diabetes Conquers kidney stones Combats cancer Helps stops strokes Strawberries Combats cancer Protects your heart Boosts memory Calms stress   Sweet potatoes Saves your eyesight Lifts mood Combats cancer Strengthens bones   Tomatoes Protects prostate Combats cancer Lowers cholesterol Protects your heart   Walnuts Lowers cholesterol Combats cancer Boosts memory Lifts mood Protects against heart disease Water Promotes Weight loss Combats cancer Conquers kidney stones Smooths skin   Watermelon Protects prostate Promotes Weight loss Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes Controls blood pressure Wheat germ Combats Colon Cancer Prevents constipation Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes Improves digestion Wheat bran Combats Colon Cancer Prevents constipation Lowers cholesterol Helps stops strokes Improves digestion Yogurt Guards against ulcers Strengthens bones Lowers cholesterol Supports immune systems Aids digestion