Connoisseur Tips and Tricks
I occasionally run across neat little tips and tricks that trip my cleverness meter. I thought I would take a moment and share some of these with you. Today’s tips are all kitchen / cooking related…
The first tip is actually a gadget. One of the Connoisseur’s pet peeves is how the brown sugar gets hard as a rock when in storage. The “tip” is to use this little gadget from Sur La Table called the Brown Sugar Saver. A ceramic disk, you simply soak it in water for 10 to 15 minutes, pat it dry and then place in the brown sugar container. No more rock hard sugar.
Next tip - time for the sweet-tooth...
Of course we much prefer homemade frosting on our cakes. Unfortunately sometimes you may be in a hurry and need the convenience. If that’s the case, here’s how you can double your money and improve the product. Simply whip the store-bought frosting with your mixer for a few minutes. You will find that it can double in size. You can frost more cake and it will be a smidge lighter in taste and texture.
…and now for the last tip of the day. (drum roll please…)
I LOVE PIZZA..!
No, that’s not a tip, just a statement of fact. But it does get me to this… Leftover pizza. If you want it heated, you figure you have two choices: turn on the oven and heat the kitchen up just for a few slices of pie, or use the microwave and enjoy that soggy crust. Which shall it be..?
Neither, I say…
Simply grab the right-sized non-stick pan from your cupboard and plop it on the stove over medium-low heat. Add the slice or so of pie that you are craving, and heat. The pizza will warm through, the crust will retain its crunch and the entire kitchen won’t heat up 10 degrees as a hot oven tends to do.
Voilà ..!
Now go forth with your newfound wisdom and live well…
The first tip is actually a gadget. One of the Connoisseur’s pet peeves is how the brown sugar gets hard as a rock when in storage. The “tip” is to use this little gadget from Sur La Table called the Brown Sugar Saver. A ceramic disk, you simply soak it in water for 10 to 15 minutes, pat it dry and then place in the brown sugar container. No more rock hard sugar.
Next tip - time for the sweet-tooth...
Of course we much prefer homemade frosting on our cakes. Unfortunately sometimes you may be in a hurry and need the convenience. If that’s the case, here’s how you can double your money and improve the product. Simply whip the store-bought frosting with your mixer for a few minutes. You will find that it can double in size. You can frost more cake and it will be a smidge lighter in taste and texture.
…and now for the last tip of the day. (drum roll please…)
I LOVE PIZZA..!
No, that’s not a tip, just a statement of fact. But it does get me to this… Leftover pizza. If you want it heated, you figure you have two choices: turn on the oven and heat the kitchen up just for a few slices of pie, or use the microwave and enjoy that soggy crust. Which shall it be..?
Neither, I say…
Simply grab the right-sized non-stick pan from your cupboard and plop it on the stove over medium-low heat. Add the slice or so of pie that you are craving, and heat. The pizza will warm through, the crust will retain its crunch and the entire kitchen won’t heat up 10 degrees as a hot oven tends to do.
Voilà ..!
Now go forth with your newfound wisdom and live well…