Saturday, April 13, 2013

Tip of the Day #295: PANCAKES--use Club Soda

Substitute club soda for milk when making pancake batter. Your pancakes will be lighter and fluffier!

Recipe:

2 cups biscuit mix (I use Bisquick)
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups club soda

Directions:
1Mix ingredients until smooth and blended but don't overbeat.
2.Ladle mix onto hot griddle or pan.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Tip of the Day #294: Crumpled Aluminum Foil

When heating or re-heating items in the oven, line the sheet tray with loosely crumpled aluminum foil for a crispier bottom. The crumpled foil allows for better air circulation and drains off excess oil or juices.

Tip of the Day #293: Out of Cooking Oil or Spray?

If you are out of pan spray or oil, put a thin layer of mayo on your fish or chicken to help prevent it from sticking to your grill. This also prevents flare-ups so you get very nice grill marks without excess burning.

Tip of the Day #292: Cooking Pasta

Don't shock pasta in water after cooking! Take the pasta out a minute or 2 early, drain the water, coat with oil and let cool on a tray. It keeps the starch inside the pasta and helps the sauce stick to the pasta.

Tip of the Day #291: Easy Eating with Pomegranates!

Do you love pomegranates but hate getting the seeds out? Cut the pomegranate in half and use the back of a wooden spoon to knock out the pomegranate seeds.

Tip of the day #290: The Perfect Pork Chops

Pork chops get a bad rap for being too dry most of the time. A simple solution to this problem is to lightly brown them on both sides and finish them off in the oven for 7-10 minutes at 350 degrees. The browning will lock the juices in, creating a succulent piece of meat.

Tip of the Day #289: Cornstarch & Water

When using cornstarch as a thickening agent, always mix it with cold water, NEVER hot water. This prevents clumping.