2. If you have stale bread in the pantry, don't throw it away- slice them & rub ice cubes until the crusts are damp- then pop them in the oven for 12 minutes at 190 deg.C and voila- fresh as can be again. Neat huh?
3. A paste of baking soda + water can remove stains from crockery, just rub it over and see the difference :)
4. When cooking with mushrooms and any herbs, add them last and let the heat cook them otherwise they'll end up mushy and flavorless.
5. Always pre-heat! be it an oven, a pan or grill before cooking- pre-heat reasonably though not to smoking point.
6. Always pay attention to your cooking, don't leave the kitchen premises for too long. Think safety! and you really don't want a dried up soup or casserole or burnt meals :)
7. Always add a pinch of salt when using cocoa, it brings out the flavor even more.
8. Wash your hands often and don't put back licked spoons into the dish.
9. If you want your ice cubes to come out clear (especially great if you want to add berries or mint leaves in the ice...) use boiling water instead of tap.
10. When separating the yolk from the white of an egg, if you drop a portion of egg yolk into the whites, moisten a cloth with cold water, touch to the yolk and it will adhere to the cloth.
11. If you burned rice place a piece of bread on top and this absorbs the burnt smell.
12. When cooling cakes and you want to retain it's moistness- again use a slice of bread and place on top of cake, this will turn hard but will keep the cake soft and moist.
13. Before cooking anything- read the recipe!!! when it says simmer- do not boil, when it says soften do not melt etc...
14. Learn to 'rest' meat at room temperature before serving especially steak. This allows the natural juices of the meat to distribute evenly throughout the meat resulting to a juicier cut.
15. Caramelized onions are always slow-cooked. Don't rush it or put the heat too high.
