Category Archives: Food Tips

Keep Salads From Getting Soggy

Before putting a salad into a serving bowl, place a dish (depending on size of bowl) ie. sauce dish, cereal bowl, soup bowl, etc. upside down in the bottom of the salad bowl.  Place salad ingredients above the inverted dish.  At serving time, add dressing.

The inverted dish will allow excess water or dressing to go under the dish, saving the salad ingredients from getting wilted and soggy.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated shortly.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.
   
Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley, LLC
608-240-9773
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com
www.creativecookingbylydia.com

Mashing Bananas

A pastry blender is an excellent tool for mashing bananas for banana breads, bars, etc.

To keep bananas light colored in breads, etc. add lemon juice to them. Lemon juice is a natural whitener for fruits, etc.

Starting in early 2007, I will be teaching cooking and beginning sewing classes in my home. Watch my calendar for dates or call me at 608-240-9773 for details.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Freezer Cleaning Tip

After defrosting a chest-type freezer, use a cotton floor mop (a new, clean one) to swab the hard-to-reach bottom of the freezer. When all of the water has been mopped up, swab a final time with a solution of baking soda and water to keep the freezer smelling fresh.

Starting in early 2007, I will be teaching cooking and beginning sewing classes in my home. Watch my calendar for dates or call me at 608-240-9773 for details.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

HOMEMADE EGG SUBSTITUTE

3 Egg whites
2 Tablespoons instant nonfat dry milk powder
2 to 3 drops Yellow food coloring, optional

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Use as a substitute for eggs.

Yield: 1 serving (equivalent to 2 eggs)
Nutritional anlaysis:
One serving (1 each) equals 64 calories, 0.55g fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 156mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 10g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 very lean meat, 1/2 fat-free milk

Starting in early 2007, I will be teaching cooking and beginning sewing classes in my home. Watch my calendar for dates or call me at 608-240-9773 for details.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Fruit Flies

Rid your home of gnats and fruit flies by making a bait station out of a plastic bread bag containg a melon rind or banana peel. Leave the bag slightly open on the kitchen counter overnight. In the morning, quickly close it and dispose.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website

Bacteria in Water Bottles

Definitely toss – do not reuse:

Once saliva, sweat, and bacteria get inside the bottle, there's no way to completely clean or sanitize it. ALso, after extended use and rewashing, the plastic starts to break down. That's why commmercial bottled water is stamped with a two-year (or less) expiration date. Although the water doesn't really “expire”, it acquires an off taste.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Soda bottle re-use

Use a two liter soda bottle for funneling birdseed into the feeder or trasferring rice into a canister. Just use a scissors or a utility knife to cut a soda bottle in half, then use the top half as an instant funnel.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Moist Cake Tricks

Brush unfrosted cakes between layers and /or the outside with simple syrup or rum, Kirsch wasser, or any liquor of your choice before frosting or putting in the freezer for later use. This trick will keep them moist and add flavor (unless your are using simple syrup).

Simple syrup:
1part water to 2 parts (1 cup water to 2 cups sugar or quantities as needed) granulated sugar. Heat to a boil and simmer and stir until sugar is dissolved. Cool before applying to cake.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Hamburger tip

To keep hamburger patties from shrinking, just poke a hole in the center of the patty before grilling. The hole will fill in as the burger cooks and the patty will remain the same size.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com or call 608-240-9773.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Equipment for making sandwich fillings

Both a potato masher and pastry blender work great for smoothly and evenly mixing up the ingredients for a sandwich spread like chicken or ham salad. A potato masher will make a smoother filling and the pastry blender will leave foods in small pieces better.

There are many, many entries on this web site. Be sure to scroll back through to the beginning for all the recipes and tips.

I am available to teach cooking or food related subjects in your home or give presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

Cooking classes currently scheduled can be viewed by clicking on the “Calendar” icon. The schedules will be updated shortly.

Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.