Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Household Hints - Cooking - How to Make Perfect Hard Cooked Eggs (for Sandwiches and Egg Salad)

From: Joe Nouhan, chef, Bay Wolf, Oakland:

For perfect hard-cooked eggs with no green ring, start the eggs in cold water, bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes.

Household Hints - Cleaning - Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Clean Countertops & Cutting Boards

Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a
fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishcloth when you wipe, or spray it
on the counters.

Submitted by Carolyn

Christina's Note:
I also love using hydrogen peroxide to clean cutting boards - it works to kill germs, but isn't as hard on you as bleach is.

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Free Household Hints - How to Keep a Mixing Bowl from Slipping

Slippy mixing bowls can be a bother in the kitchen - so try these tips to keep your mixing bowls in place on your countertop:

  • Moisten a kitchen towel with water, and place on the countertop. Put the bowl on top - the bowl will stick to the moistened towel, leaving both of your hands free to make dressings, sauces, etc.
  • Or...create a rope snake with a kitchen towel, and make a donut-shape of it on the kitchen counter. Place the bowl inside the towel and it will hold your bowl in place.

Have great kitchen or household tips to share? Please send them to christina@happyslob.com and I'll include them on the blog!

Household Hints - Cooking - Make a More Flavorful Roast Chicken

To up the flavor of your roast chickens, try stuffing the cavity of the bird with whole heads of peeled garlic, large chunks of peeled onion, whole bunches of fresh herbs or even wedges of lemon. The flavors will make your roasted chicken taste delicious - plus the veggies or wedges of lemon will create a moister chicken as well. :) Enjoy!

Household Hints - Making Sauces/Cooking - Cooling a Sauce Quickly

If you need to cool a sauce or pudding quickly, try this trick: Just put the pan into a shallow baking pan that has been partially filled with cool water. You may need to change the water with cooler water again, as the hot pan will warm the water.

This will cool your sauces/puddings or custards quickly and easily, so they'll be ready to serve faster!