Food and Cooking Tips & Life Hacks

Have you ever run out of something or thrown away a food item because it didn't get used? Well, hopefully, with these food and cooking tips, you can save a little time and money by substituting or preserving.  Ready to start? Me too! Here we go... Substitute For Yeast:  Are you looking to make a loaf of bread? Mix one teaspoon each of powdered vitamin C (or citric acid) and baking soda. What's more, the dough you add it to won't have to rise before baking. Replace Baking Powder: Substitute two parts cream of tartar mixed with one part each baking soda and cornstarch. The cornstarch slows the reaction between the acidic cream of tartar and the alkaline baking soda, which helps the compound maintain its leavening power longer. Protect Veggies In The Fridge: Line your refrigerator's crisper drawer with paper towels. They will absorb the moisture that causes your fruits and vegetables to rot. When the lining gets dirty, throw it out and replace it with fresh paper towels. Keep Fruit Fresh:  Do your berries, and grapes get moldy before you've had a chance to enjoy them? Store them in a colander--not a closed plastic container--in the refrigerator. The cold air will circulate through the holes and around the fruit, keeping it fresher for days. Revive Soggy Lettuce: Don't toss those sorry leaves in the garbage. Add the juice of half a lemon to a bowl of cold water, put the soggy lettuce in it, and refrigerate for about an hour. Make sure the leaves are completely dry before using them in salads or sandwiches. Tenderize Meat: Soaking inexpensive cuts of meat in vinegar for up to four hours doesn't just break down tough fibers; it also reduces carcinogenic compounds that form during grilling. Experiment with different vinegar varieties for added flavor, or simply use apple cider vinegar or distilled vinegar. Just be sure to rinse the meat off before cooking. Save A Bottle Of Wine: If the cork breaks apart when you open a bottle, no problem. Pour the wine through a coffee filter. It will catch everything but the liquid. Baking Soda: In addition to being a stand-in for baking powder and other cooking staples, baking soda can clean and deodorize your vegetables, your pots and get hard stains like cool-aid, turmeric, pen, or grime off of your countertops. These are just a few Food and Cooking tips to make your life easier. If you have any more, I would love to hear about them. Otherwise, stay tuned next week for some additional Life Hacks and Tips. Heather EarlesHeather is married to a retired Special Forces Officer, and they live on a sustainable farm with their four children. She is an established author of inspiration, fiction, children’s books, a journalist, a stay-at-home mother, and an advocate for healthy living. She publishes a weekly blog and podcast (Herb ‘N Wisdom™) and is a Print Specialist for Pufferprint. Learn more about the author