Helpful Cooking and Cleaning Tips #3

51~Egg yolks are high in cholesterol, remove from hard boiled eggs
52~Tear greens and lettuce instead of cutting them to avoid bruising and "rusting" with a knife
53~Check ingredient list on soup cans, many are high in salt and fat
54~Use canola, olive, or sunflower oil. They have less fat and no cholesterol
55~Frozen gravies or sauces maybe a little thicker after thawing, adding appropriate liquid (milk, brith, water) will thin them to desired consistency
56~Put a T. of butter or margarine in water for rice, dried beans, or macaroni, to keep it from boiling over. Oil will do the same thing
57~Never put a cover on anything cooked in milk. You'll spend hours cleaning it when it boils over
58~Separate eggs easily by breaking into a funnel--the white will go through and the yolk stays behind
59~In general, use eggs at room temperature. Cool eggs crack when boiled, curdle when cooked, and don't whip as well
60~Always use large eggs in recipes, unless specified otherwise
61~To keep hard boiled eggs from cracking, turn off heat as soon as they start boiling. Cover with lid and remove from burner at least 15 minutes. Prevents them from knocking against each other. They turn out perfect and don't have to be watched. Roll egg on counter for easier peeling
62~Fresh eggs are harder to peel. Eggs should be at least 1 week old
63~Adding vinegar to water before adding eggs may soften the shells for easier peeling
64~Soften hard brown sugar by placing in a plastic container. Line top with plastic wrap. Place a damp paper towel on top. Cover. In a day, you will be able to use it. **fastest method is to place brown sugar in a plastic ziploc bag with a moist paper towel, then microwave for 20 seconds. May need to be repeated more than once. I softened an entire 1 lb in 40 seconds and it had been rock hard!
65~Brown sugar may also be softened by placing a white bread slice in box. or by placing box  in microwave with 1 c. water and microwaving on high for 2 minutes
66~To clean aluminum pots when they are stained dark, boil with a little cream of tartar or vinegar
67~Baking powder will remove tea or coffee stains from china tea pots or cups
68~Slip your hand inside a waxed sandwich bag and you will have a mitt for greasing pans and dishes
69~To remove fish odor from hands, utensils, ans dishcloths, use 1 t. baking soda to 1 quart of water
70~Pick up slivers of glass with a damp paper towel
71~Run soap over zippers to help them slide easier
72~Place a few grains of rice in salt to keep it from clogging
73~To revive wilted cut flowers, add hot water or aspirin
74~Dripping faucets can be quieted by tying a string to it that touches the sink. Water will slide down the string quietly
75~Keeping a piece of charcoal in a tool drawer will keep moisture out, preventing rust
76~Place batteries in original pkg inside plastic bags, in the freezer. It will give them longer life. Thaw 2 hours before using