15 Kitchen Quickies
By Camille Rhoades

Here’s a handy list of kitchen tips and tricks compiled by a large group of readers at a site I love, www.tipnut.com. Combine the great tips from that site with the awesome Cook’n readers and you have an awesome combination. So, without further adieu, here is a little something for everyone!

1. Whole tomatoes can be washed and frozen in containers or plastic bags. When you are ready to use simply thaw and the skin will slip right off and they are ready to be used in cooking. (Norma)




2. When you get a good price on lemons, make big batches of fresh lemon juice at once. Freeze in measured 1/4 cup amounts so you can just take out the freezer bag or container to thaw when a recipe calls for lemon juice. You can also pour juice in muffin tins, freeze, then take them out and freeze in freezer bags. Make sure to freeze in measured amounts. (Sherry)

You can also juice them a tablespoon at a time into an ice tray. Then pop the lemon ice cubes into freezer bags.

3. Next time you make meatballs, try this tip: roll meat mixture into a log then slice off even sized meatballs. Time saver! (Jennifer)

4. Perfect tiny meatballs tip: Use a melon baller. (Lisa)

5. Buy fresh chicken breasts in bulk then wrap individually before freezing in large freezer bags. You’ll be able to grab the exact amount of chicken breasts you need without having to pry them apart. (Cami)

6. Keep a roll of painters tape handy in the kitchen, it’s great to seal bags and such, re-sticks over and over (even stays sticky in the freezer). (Elizabeth)

7. Line refrigerator metal racks with large washable placemats, they catch all the spills and wipe up easily. (Helen)

8. Use a piece of bread with butter or oil to grease your casserole dishes easily. (Carol)

Also try buttering a piece of bread (generously) and using that to butter corn on the cob. Then you get to eat the nice bread and melted butter as an additional side dish.

9. Wrap fresh herbs in slightly damp paper towels then seal in an airtight plastic bag and store in the refrigerator, these will keep fresh for a long time! (Brenda)

10. Try cooking vegetables in chicken or beef broth instead of water, delicious! (Kim)

11. Keep wooden chopsticks in the pantry canisters, use them to level off measurements for cups of flour or sugar. (Shannon)

12. Freeze wedges of lemons and limes then plop into glasses of water or iced tea. Good way to prevent the fruit from going to waste! Make sure to wash the outside of the fruit first before freezing. (Steve)

13. Freshen up dish racks by occasionally scrubbing them with a paste of baking soda and water. Removes stains and odors. (Dawn)

14. Place cookie cutter shapes on top of frosted cakes or cupcakes then drizzle candy sprinkles or colored coconut inside the shapes, remove cookie cutters and you have an original cake decoration done oh so simply! (Katy Lyn)

15. Save time on baked potatoes by first boiling them for 15 minutes to pre-cook. Then put them in a preheated oven to finish cooking. (Jody)











Each of these were selected because of their usefulness and include the name of the person who submitted them beside each tip (thank you!). The tips were too small to post individually, but too good to not be shared.