Tips

[KellBell]

WINE CUBES:

I take left over wine and pour it into ice cube trays and freeze, then when a recipie calls for wine I just pop in a few cubes. It works great!!

[KellBell]

RIPE BANANAS:

I peel over ripe bananas and put them in a zip lock bag and freeze them. I pull them out and use them whenever a recipie calls for bananas.

It is also great to throw frozen bananas in the blender with milk and a teaspoon of vanilla, it makes a perfect shake!!!

[KellBell]

For potato salad or mac salad etc, use a little sour cream with your mayo and you will be amazed at how wonderful this tastes!! You can mix it 1/2 mayo 1/2 sour cream.

[theal2]

When I need buttermilk, I take regular milk and add lemon juice, Tab. or two and let set. Works great.

[sunbunny]

if you want to peel a banana and don't like those "thread" things, peel it from the bottom, instead of the top! that's how monkeys do it!!

[look4u]

For potato salad or mac salad etc, use a little sour cream with your mayo and you will be amazed at how wonderful this tastes!! You can mix it 1/2 mayo 1/2 sour cream.


Or buttermilk , and heavy cream works well .

[emmeblu]

For potato salad or mac salad etc, use a little sour cream with your mayo and you will be amazed at how wonderful this tastes!! You can mix it 1/2 mayo 1/2 sour cream.

Wow, I am trying this Sunday with my potato salad.
Thanks. We love sour cream on baked potatoes so I bet this will be good.
:zm10:

[emmeblu]

When I have to dice parsley, onion, etc., up real small and I am in a hurry, I use my pizza cutter.

Just put ingredients on the cutting board and start running the pizza wheel over & over. It is fast and works great for me.

About cut my finger off trying to chop real fast with a sharp knife like on the food channel. :thud2:

[PatC]

WINE CUBES:

I take left over wine and pour it into ice cube trays and freeze, then when a recipie calls for wine I just pop in a few cubes. It works great!!

"... left over wine..." ???? What's that???? :blondblush113268230

[lost indie]

"... left over wine..." ???? What's that???? :blondblush113268230

:zm10:

:67302:

:smiley_aasg:

[packy]

"... left over wine..." ???? What's that???? :blondblush113268230

I was wonderin' about that too. Hahaa.

When ice cubes were mentioned I thought of something I used to do. Made homemade soup and poured the left over into ice trays, and that way if just one person wanted to have some they could take out a cube or two or three.

[janicelee]

WINE CUBES:

I take left over wine and pour it into ice cube trays and freeze, then when a recipie calls for wine I just pop in a few cubes. It works great!!

Answer:

Bigfoot, the Lochness Monster, and leftover wine.

Question:

Name three things Janicelee has never seen. :smile:

[Bayou Lass]

Answer:

Bigfoot, the Lochness Monster, and leftover wine.

Question:

Name three things Janicelee has never seen. :smile:

Well I never!!!! Left over wine? Amazing.:67302:

[Bayou Lass]

Okay cooks.....here's some tips for the BL:

Potato Salad - Mix half Mayo and half ranch dressing - yummy.

Bananas - I do not like over ripe bananas. When they start turning I simply throw them into the freezer - peel and all. When I am ready to make my banana nut bread or muffins - voila. Bring 'em out, let them thaw and they are already smashed.

Buttermilk - You can also add about 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda and let that set.

I have some more tips but can't remember them off the top of my head. I'll have to look at my recipe file and let you know what I find tomorrow. See ya later gaters.:0012:

[Pandabear]

My family loves deviled eggs, but I don't like the mess of making the 'stuffing'.

So I put the cooked yolks in a ziplock bag, add the other ingredients like salt, pepper, mustard and mayo, zip the bag shut and squish it til it's mixed.

Then I snip off one corner of the bag and squeeze this into the egg halves. When done, just throw the bag away....no mess, plus the eggs look great!

We also love stuffed grilled jalapeno peppers. I cut off the stem end, take a knife and cut loose the seeds and membranes and pour them out. Then I put room temp cream cheese in a ziplock bag, snip the corner and squeeze the cc into the peppers. Punch a hole in the pointed end of the pepper with a toothpick, wrap the peppers in a small piece of bacon, jab a toothpick through them and pop on the grill until the bacon is done. Yummy! I cook these in the oven also.

[Bayou Lass]

My family loves deviled eggs, but I don't like the mess of making the 'stuffing'.

So I put the cooked yolks in a ziplock bag, add the other ingredients like salt, pepper, mustard and mayo, zip the bag shut and squish it til it's mixed.

Then I snip off one corner of the bag and squeeze this into the egg halves. When done, just throw the bag away....no mess, plus the eggs look great!

We also love stuffed grilled jalapeno peppers. I cut off the stem end, take a knife and cut loose the seeds and membranes and pour them out. Then I put room temp cream cheese in a ziplock bag, snip the corner and squeeze the cc into the peppers. Punch a hole in the pointed end of the pepper with a toothpick, wrap the peppers in a small piece of bacon, jab a toothpick through them and pop on the grill until the bacon is done. Yummy! I cook these in the oven also.

PB, gonna try these tips for sure. Can't wait to try the jalapeno peppers. I have loads of them still in my garden and am tired of pickling them. Thanks for the recipe. Gonna try these real soon for sure.:friends3:

[Pandabear]

Bayou Lass, my son grilled steaks for us this evening and I stuffed some peppers and he grilled those too. I'm so full I feel like a tick! LOL :girl_haha:

[Bayou Lass]

Bayou Lass, my son grilled steaks for us this evening and I stuffed some peppers and he grilled those too. I'm so full I feel like a tick! LOL :girl_haha:

Good mornin' Panda. We have had these a couple of times now and I can tell you they are simply delicious! We grilled yesterday too and of course we had the peppers. We also grilled some eggplant and we will definitely keep doing these that way too. This morning I was looking for some leftovers to bring for my lunch.....there was grilled chicken left....into my lunch bag it went.....there was some eggplant left.....into the bag.....a twice baked stuffed potato.....yep, into the bag.....peppers, peppers, where are the peppers. All gone. DS ate them all! Dang, I wanted those peppers so baaaad. Next time I am gonna hide 'em!:groan:

[PatC]

Ever reach for some of those dry package mixes but were out? Here are some do-it-yourself ones:

Taco Seasoning:

1 cup dried minced onion
1/3 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons cumin (I actually add an extra tablespoon-we love cumin) 4 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon oregano
4 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder

Combine all ingredients and store in a cool, dry place.

When you're using for Mexican dishes, use about 1 tablespoon or so
per 1 pound ground beef, or chicken or beans. More if you like the
extra flavor.

Noodle Mix

1 cup instant nonfat dry milk
2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Combine ingredients and store in a sealable container or zipper
topped plastic bag. This will keep for 2 months in the pantry,
however, I personally store in the fridge because of the
cheese; plus it will last longer. Mark the date on the zipper topped
bag with your Sharpie pen. This recipe doubles and triples well.

To Use:

Combine 1/4 cup mix with 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1/4
cup milk. Toss with 8 ounces pasta (cooked).


Homemade Shake and Bake

1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Combine ingredients and store in a sealable container or zipper
topped plastic bag. This will keep up to 4 months in the pantry,
depending on the humidity (you may just want to keep it in the
freezer). This recipe will also double or triple well.

To Use:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place one cup mix in a plastic bag.

In a bowl, mix an egg and 1/2 cup of milk. Dip chicken pieces one at
a time in the milk mixture, then shake one at a time in the plastic
bag.

Place on a baking pan and bake for appropriate time (depending on the
chicken you're using-as a little as 20 minutes or up to an hour for
bigger, bone-in pieces).

Homemade Flavored Rice Mixes

4 cups uncooked rice (I always use brown rice)
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine all ingredients together and store in a zipper topped plastic
bag or sealable container. This will keep up to 4 months if stored in
a cool, dark and dry place. With brown rice, you may want to keep it
in the freezer.

To Use:

Mix 1 cup mix with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, lower heat,
place lid on rice and simmer till liquid is completely absorbed,
about 20 minutes or more. Check if you need to. (I would add an
extra half cup liquid for the brown rice)

Variations: to make Vegetable Rice Mix, substitute an envelope of
vegetable soup mix. To make Spanish Rice Mix, substitute 1/2 cup Taco Seasoning (see recipe above) for envelope of onion soup.

[SavannahStar]

WINE CUBES:

I take left over wine and pour it into ice cube trays and freeze, then when a recipie calls for wine I just pop in a few cubes. It works great!!

I like this tip better for use in a glass of wine. Meaning if you normally use ice cubes in white wine, for example, use wine cubes instead. So as to not dilute the wine. :67302:

[PatC]

I like this tip better for use in a glass of wine. Meaning if you normally use ice cubes in white wine, for example, use wine cubes instead. So as to not dilute the wine. :67302:

I'm still waiting to have some left over wine to try any of these tips. :girl_haha:

[DRJAN]

I have this recipe for taco salad. And it is super simple to make.

brown 1 pound of ground beef drain fat
add one packet of taco season cook as directed

Now in a large salad bowl tear up lettuce add the ground beef to this along with cheddar cheese, and broken up nacho cheese Doritos's. Mix well

When you serve this you can add salsa, sour cream, and it it to die for.
I made this a lot in my dorm room never had any left overs

[Trailblazer]

I have picked up some packages of Banana Nut Muffin Mix...Now I thought it was actually Banana Nut Bread Mix....

So my question is: What's the difference???? Can I make it in a loaf pan and not in muffin tins???

TIA

[nanabillie]

I have picked up some packages of Banana Nut Muffin Mix...Now I thought it was actually Banana Nut Bread Mix....

So my question is: What's the difference???? Can I make it in a loaf pan and not in muffin tins???

TIA

I have baked tons of the muffins, they are my family's favorite! I have wondered about using a small muffin pan, or two. Just never tried. Let me know if you try it. We like the blackberry, too. Not as much as banana nut.

[chefann]

There's no difference between muffin and bread mix, when it's a quick bread like that. Just increase the bake time, and check it to make sure it's done. You can also bake them in a mini muffin pan, but cut the time in half and then check for doneness.

[Trailblazer]

There's no difference between muffin and bread mix, when it's a quick bread like that. Just increase the bake time, and check it to make sure it's done. You can also bake them in a mini muffin pan, but cut the time in half and then check for doneness.

Thanks ...I didn't think there was a difference..but wasn't sure..

[emmeblu]

Thanks ...I didn't think there was a difference..but wasn't sure..

I've done same when buying bread mix. Be sure to increase that bake time tho. Yum, I'll have to make some myself.

[PatC]

I haven't read the whole thread so this may have been mentioned.... but since I made some guacamole yesterday I thought I'd add this tip.

I know I'd read a tip about putting the avocado pit in the guacamole to keep it from turning brown and also some tip with lime juice that I'd tried... they didn't seem to work for me.

One day, a few years back I finished up a batch of guacamole and had a brain storm. http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g258/PatC_pics/smilies/lightbulb.gif

If oxygen turns it brown, cut off the oxygen, right? Right... so I got out the clear plastic wrap, tore off a piece and placed it on top of the guacamole. Not on top of the container, right down on the dip. I pressed it smooth, leaving as few (or no) air bubbles as possible. Sure enough... it works!

Now I can go ahead and make up my guacamole a couple of days ahead when having a party. I don't have to leave it till the last minute.

http://users.telenet.be/honeybee1/spaanse_dans.gif

[PatC]

I just got out some black-eyed peas from the freezer for tonight's dinner and automatically poured the portion I wanted into a colander. It occurred to me I should add this tip for any who don't already know about it.

When you use frozen veggies, if you'll quickly rinse off any ice crystals that might have formed you'll find they taste better. You don't have to rinse till the veggie is thawed, just rinse off the ice.

[lost indie]

I just got out some black-eyed peas from the freezer for tonight's dinner and automatically poured the portion I wanted into a colander. It occurred to me I should add this tip for any who don't already know about it.

When you use frozen veggies, if you'll quickly rinse off any ice crystals that might have formed you'll find they taste better. You don't have to rinse till the veggie is thawed, just rinse off the ice.

That is brilliant! I've never heard that....can't wait to try it...

Thanks!

:girl_haha:

[Pandabear]

We also love stuffed grilled jalapeno peppers. I cut off the stem end, take a knife and cut loose the seeds and membranes and pour them out. Then I put room temp cream cheese in a ziplock bag, snip the corner and squeeze the cc into the peppers. Punch a hole in the pointed end of the pepper with a toothpick, wrap the peppers in a small piece of bacon, jab a toothpick through them and pop on the grill until the bacon is done. Yummy! I cook these in the oven also.

The hardest part of getting the peppers ready for the grill is the coring. I found this handy dandy tool at Cabelas and it is the best $5 I've ever spent! Just whack off the end of the pepper, slide this tool down in the pepper and twist. It takes out all the seeds and the membranes and slides them right out of the pepper in just seconds. I just love gadgets...especially ones that save me time! :happy0158:

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0029210517372a.shtml

http://i27.tinypic.com/21l72x0.jpg

[PatC]

Pandabear, you may have cost me some $$$$ with that link. 'cause I never met a kitchen gadget I didn't like. LOL

[texanne]

I have one of those. I don't remember buying it, or what I use it for. LOL....(Texanne, put down the wallet, and step away from the gadget rack)

[Bayou Lass]

Pandabear, you may have cost me some $$$$ with that link. 'cause I never met a kitchen gadget I didn't like. LOL

Ditto for me too!! Well, Cabelas here I come.........

[SavannahStar]

The hardest part of getting the peppers ready for the grill is the coring. I found this handy dandy tool at Cabelas and it is the best $5 I've ever spent! Just whack off the end of the pepper, slide this tool down in the pepper and twist. It takes out all the seeds and the membranes and slides them right out of the pepper in just seconds. I just love gadgets...especially ones that save me time! :happy0158:

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0029210517372a.shtml

http://i27.tinypic.com/21l72x0.jpg


Now isn't that something.....I'm very familiar with Cabelas because that is where DS has bought a lot of hunting/fishing clothing and "stuff" from. I had no idea they also sold stuff like kitchen gadgets. Whaddya know!

That corer reminds me so much of an old fashioned potato peeler, Pat.

[PatC]

It's so good to know I have gadget lover sisters. :kissyface4:

[Pandabear]

Oh I'm a gadget fanatic!

Not only does Cabelas have the pepper corer, they have the rack that you use to grill or bake the peppers. I have two of these and I love them! It keeps all the good stuff from cooking out of the peppers.

http://i27.tinypic.com/23k7kfc.jpg

[SavannahStar]

Oh I'm a gadget fanatic!

Not only does Cabelas have the pepper corer, they have the rack that you use to grill or bake the peppers. I have two of these and I love them! It keeps all the good stuff from cooking out of the peppers.

http://i27.tinypic.com/23k7kfc.jpg

Holy moly! :0t31:

And here I thought they only sold camoflage hunting clothing. Ack!

[Pandabear]

Amazing isn't it? :shock:

:67302:

They have all kinds of neat stuff for cooking. Check it out...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/category/category.jsp?id=cat602009&navAction=jump&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=&cm_pla=&cm_ite=netcon