A Little of This, and A Little of That

Safety Precautions

1. Avoid leaving food that is cooking unattended for a long period of time, if at all. If using a timer, have it with you at all times to remind you that you have something brewing in the kitchen.

2. Turn handles of pots and pans inward and not sticking out.

3. Avoid reaching over the stovetop when cooking and watch your sleeves.

4. Keep curtains, potholders, towels, and any other combustibles away from cooking areas.

5. Do not put knives or other sharp objects into a full sink. Someone could reach in and accidentally get hurt.

6. When processing hot liquids in a blender (such as sauces and soups), make sure the blender's lid is back on, then cover the lid with a towel and your hand, before proceeding to blend. Also, do not fill the blender more than half-way.

7. Launder your dishtowels and sponges frequently to get rid of bacteria or simply replace often.

8. Keep children and pets away from appliances when cooking.

9. Keep appliance cords as short as possible to avoid accidents such as tripping or knocking the appliance over.

10. Have a small fire extinguisher and a first aid kit readily accessible. Also make sure that smoke detectors are placed throughout your house.

Dried vs. Fresh Herbs

Because of their more intense flavor dried herbs can be substituted for fresh herbs at a ratio of 1 to 3. While dried herbs are convenient and can be great for longer cooking times, they don’t generally have the same purity of flavor as fresh herbs and they do go stale quickly.

Ensure dried herbs are still fresh by checking if they are green and not faded, and crushing a few leaves to see if the aroma is still strong. Always store them in an air-tight container away from light and heat.