Prevent clogs from forming. To prevent clogs from forming in your kitchen sink, make sure to periodically pour boiling water down the drain. Doing so ensures that the oils in food products run down the drain as opposed to building up on the interior surface of pipes which is what leads to clogged drains. If […]
Archive for category: DYB Tips
Did the cookies burn in the oven? Use a cheese grater to salvage burnt cookies! You can still salvage your cookies that burn on the bottom, just use a cheese grater to get the burnt part off!
Fight pet stink. Deodorize the soft, cushy places around your house — including the dog bed — by sprinkling surfaces with baking soda, letting it sit for 15 minutes, and then vacuuming it up.
It’s dish liquid to the rescue. Dissolve one tablespoon of dish liquid into two cups of warm water, and blot the stains with a clean white cloth dipped into the solution. Repeat until the stain absorbs into the cloth and disappears from the carpet. Then sponge with cold water, and blot dry with a clean […]
It’s Mojito’s time! but remember, don’t over-muddle mint or it could become bitter. When you do it, mint leaves release their bitter chlorophyll.
Remove towel mildew. Is that wet towel you left in your gym bag speckled? First, take it outside, brush off the spores, and sun-dry the item for about three hours. Then, pre-soak with a bleach and water solution (check the care tag to be sure it’s safe), and machine wash.
To revive your day-old muffins, sprinkle them with water, place in a paper bag, and pop in a hot oven for five to 10 seconds. The steam created by the water will restore moisture.
Never throw away the rinds of cheese. Drop it into a pot of soup—any kind!—for added flavor. Remove it with a spoon and discard before serving.
Give leftovers new life! Save the rice, pizza toppings, and grilled chicken. Instead of tossing leftovers in the trash, repurpose them into other meals like casseroles and frittatas.
Get a “right away” laundry bin. Don’t get stuck with a dirty soccer uniform or ballet costume the day your kid needs it. Add an extra “priority” basket to your routine and never be empty-handed again.
Keep flavored vinegars near the stove so you won’t always reach for the salt. Acid enhances flavor.
Replace the bread crumbs in pasta dishes with finely chopped nuts for extra flavor and a shot of protein. Try almonds on top of bechamel-based mac ‘n’ cheese.
Planning a Holiday meal? Cook in advance! To save time and kitchen space on the day of the event, cook what you can ahead of time. Cookies, pies and cakes can be made a week in advance, frozen and thawed out the night before the big meal. Cranberry sauce, casseroles, side dishes and vegetables can […]
Fill your dishwasher with everything but dishes. Plastic toys, toothbrush holders, and pet dishes are just a few of the items you can toss in this handy machine.
Make sure your work area is well lit when cooking! Look, the 40-watt light bulb in your oven hood isn’t going to cut it. Get a cheap lamp light from a hardware store so you can see what you’re doing.
Peel ginger skin with the side of a spoon instead of a knife for less waste. Hold a piece of ginger root firmly in one hand and the bowl of a metal spoon firmly in the other hand. (Note that you can also just break a lobe off of the ginger and peel only that.) […]
Clean cast-iron without causing rust! Scrubbing cast-iron with soapy water is a no-no (it’ll strip away the seasoning on the pan built up from all those dishes). Instead, clean cast-iron with a salt scrub to remove stuck-on bits of food.
Give the coffee grinder a clean new look. Coffee grinders don’t exactly get dirty, but grinds often clump inside the grinding well. To remove stuck-on grinds, toss a few chunks of stale bread into the small appliance, pulse, then dump the crumbs. The coffee will stick to the bread!
Find the biggest mixing bowl you can and buy it! You cannot toss a salad or mix cookies or make meatballs in a tiny cereal bowl. All you can do is make a bigger mess.
Do you burn your hands any time you going to peel hard boiled eggs? We have the answer to this dilemma! To peel it with ease, rinse hot eggs under cold water and peel immediately!
When juices from raw meats or germs from unclean objects accidentally touch cooked or ready-to-eat foods (such as fruits or salads), cross-contamination occurs. If not cleaned correctly, the board harbors harmful bacteria .Buy separate cutting boards for meat-only, gluten-free only, veggies-only, etc to avoid cross contamination.
Season fish simply and cook it with respect. The flavor of the fish is what you want. When it comes off the grill or out of the oven or pan, finish it with a little squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Always. There is just something about lemon and fish that is heavenly.
Use a coarse microplane to shave vegetables into salads or vinaigrettes. You can create an orange-fennel dressing by adding grated fennel and orange zest to a simple vinaigrette.
Make an easy, all-purpose cleaner! Here’s the cleaner recipe that will make nearly every surface gleam (especially kitchen counters, appliances, and inside the refrigerator). Combine 4 tablespoons baking soda and 1-quart warm water, and use it with a sponge to wipe messes away.