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Area cooks learn tips to repair holiday kitchen blunders
When things go wrong this holiday season never fear, there are a few things you can do to redeem your holiday meal. After a little research and many opportunities to try it out, I have learned an easy way to fix burned rice. Turn off the burner, place the heel of a loaf of bread on top of the rice, cover the pot and wait for five minutes or so. The bread will absorb most of the rice's burned aroma. Then carefully remove the rice, leaving the burnt rice on the bottom of the pot. Real whipped cream won't whip? Do not despair, it can be repaired. First, chill the cream, bowl and beaters well. Set the bowl of cream into a bowl of ice while you are whipping. Add the white of an egg. Chill and then whip. If the cream still does not stiffen, gradually whip in three or four drops of lemon juice. If you need to whip your cream ahead of time, add a touch of unflavored gelatin (1/4 teaspoon per cup) to keep it from separating. Overcooked Mashed Potatoes? Overcooked potatoes can become quite soggy when the milk is added. If your potatoes are a little overcooked don't add the milk, instead use dry powdered milk for the fluffiest mashed potatoes. Too much salt? For salty soups or stews add cut raw potatoes, and then remove once they are cooked. You could also add a teaspoon of cider vinegar and sugar or simply add sugar- Gradually add in these proportions: ½ teaspoon sugar and ½ teaspoon vinegar. Taste before adding the ingredients then add until the dish is just right. Burned your gravy? Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter to smooth out the flavor. Or if you have greasy gravy you can add a small pinch of baking soda. Salt Shakers clogging? To prevent, put five to 10 raw grains of rice into your salt shaker. Overbaked brownies? Place them in the microwave on "LOW" for a few seconds right before eating and they will be nice and soft. Did you know? Dabbing talcum powder over grease stains helps remove stained clothes. Do not serve or store wine or whiskey in lead crystal glassesthe lead crystal can break down and leak into your beverage. If red wine is spilled on the tablecloth, immediately pour white wine on top of stain and wash with warm soapy water. You can use ice buckets for insulators for serving foods hot or cold. Fresh bagels make unusual napkin holders. The best kind of pastry bag is plastic liner for easy clean up. Open asparagus from the bottom to prevent breaking the tips. To eliminate the strong odor of sauerkraut, add a stalk of celery to absorb odor. Granulated honey can become smooth if container is placed in boiling water.
Hope these tips help keep your kitchen disaster free!
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