Tuesday’s Tips- Helpful Cooking Tips and Hints

I love collecting good kitchen tips.  I don’t like to spend a lot of time preparing meals, so I like to find things  that help cut down time or makes things easier.  Here are ten of my favorite kitchen tips.

1. To cut even onion rings, cut before peeling.  Then slip the peels off the rings.
2. Chop garlic in a little salt to keep the pieces from sticking to the knife.
3. To prevent spattering, sprinkle a little salt into the frying pan.
4. If your muffins are sticking to the pan, place the hot pan on a wet towel.  They will slide right out.
5. To prevent muffins from burning around the edges, fill one section with water instead of batter.
6. Sour cream lasts longer if you turn it upside down.
7. Instead of cream of tarter, use 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar for every 1/2 tsp needed.
8. Apples should be stored in a ventilated plastic bag in the fridge, because they release gases that speed up ripening in some vegetables.
9. Red spices such as paprika and red pepper should be stored in the fridge to help retain their color and flavor.
10. Make stews, chili, and soups a day ahead of time to intensify flavor. 

Picture provided by flickr from pretty in print