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Miscellaneous: Test Kitchen Secrets

Source of Recipe

Southern Living magazine


Recipe Introduction

The Southern Living Test Kitchens staff agrees that organization is the key to efficiency and safety while working in the kitchen. Here are some of their favorite tips: * * *

• Read recipes thoroughly before cooking to make sure you have all ingredients. It never hurts to buy extra ones in case of unexpected mistakes.

• For easier pouring, coat measuring cups and utensils with vegetable cooking spray before measuring corn syrup or honey.

• Spoon flour into a measuring cup, and level with a knife for an accurate measurement.

• When making a chocolate cake, dust cakepans with cocoa powder instead of all-purpose flour.

• To open Champagne or sparkling wine safely, fit the pocket of a pot holder over the bottle, give the bottle a firm twist, hold the cork tightly through the pot holder, and capture the cork in the pocket.

• Freeze bar cookies 10 minutes so they cut cleanly.

• Before whipping heavy cream, chill the bowl and beaters in the freezer.

• Ice cakes with an angled spatula (available at kitchen stores or from cake-decorating suppliers).

• Prevent cake layers from tearing by chilling them before slicing or icing.

• Substitute jarred mango for fresh; look for it in the produce section of your grocery store.

• Shred cheese easily by chilling the grater in the freezer.

• Soften corn tortillas quickly by coating them with vegetable cooking spray and sprinkling with a few drops of water. Place in a zip-top plastic bag, seal, and microwave for 10 seconds or until pliable.

• Add fresh herbs to coals when grilling for flavorful meats and vegetables (dampen with water first, so they don't burn).

• After grilling, wrap meat in aluminum foil, and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. The internal temperature may climb another 5 to 10 degrees, cooking the meat further.

• Place a damp paper towel or dish towel under your cutting board to keep it from sliding.

• Sharpen knives frequently. More kitchen accidents occur with dull ones.

• Keep salt from clumping by adding a few grains of rice.

• Cool cookies completely before storing. Put different types in separate containers so they'll keep their original flavors and textures.