All Tips
- While making dosas or chapattis pour oil 1 inch inside the outer border of the dosa or chapatti so that the oil does not flow out and spoil the non stick coating. - Deepa.
- Hang khus mats over windows, spray water from a spray bottle and keep moist, so that the breeze that comes in is automatically cooled. This is a natural, non-electricity dependent way of cooling room spaces, and cheap too!.
- Add cardamom peels to the tea canister, instead of discarding. It will lend a very subtle flavour Of cardamom to every cup of tea you brew!.
- Always crush icecubes well before putting under an electrical hand mixer for Blending. Using whole cubes, can result in the mixer head breaking and flying To pieces.
- Always wipe dry steel bathroom taps after using to keep the shine intact. Water left to dry on metal taps leave stains which over a period become difficult to remove.
- A traditional Gujarati way of keeping teeth strong and shipshape. Chew on a twig of the neem tree daily, before brushing!! In gujarati villages this is still the main form of a teeth cleanser.
- Always underboil the spaghetti a wee bit, so that it becomes well done by the time it cools and is baked. Never make it mushy.
- Old Toothbrushes
Donot throw away old toothbrushes. They form excellent scrubbers for so many places, eg. crevices in tiles, inlaid furniture, grooves in vessels, sieves, meshes, waffle irons, etc. - When frying a variety of things at a time, plan the order, keeping the lighter coloured ones first ones with chillies or darker ones towards the last. Since the oil will get coloured by frying the chillied things, then the lighter ones will discolour.
- Add a pinch of soda bicarb to the water to boil peas etc. faster and also to retain their bright green colour.
- Keep roasted chapattis wrapped in a cloth in a closed container. This will help keep them from sweating or getting soggy or getting dry. They will remain soft for a long time.
- Potatoes used with the jackets intact are definitely more nutritious than after peeling. Use a soft steel or plastic scrubber to scrub them before using.
- Try applying salt on the greased part of the non stick vessels and then try cleaning them it works easier and faster.
- Shoe Bites
Repeatedly rub wax on the insides of new shoes or sandals, for the first few days of wearing, to avoid shoe bites. - To get the best textured whipped cream, see that the container, in Which the cream is to be beaten is chilled, the cream itself is well Chilled and the sugar is powdered. Also place the container in a Plate of chilled water or ice, in hot climate.
- Butter is best kept in the refrigerator, but as it easily absorbs other flavours, it should be well wrapped and kept away from strong smelling foods.
- Better rhubarb - Add flavour to rhubarb by cooking it with left over juice syrup from canned fruit, such as peaches, pears, and apricots.
- Silver ornaments
Dip silver ornaments like toerings, payals, etc., in the curd whey got from hanging sour curds. Wash with soap after an hour or two, for a clean sparkling look. - While cooking ladyfingers (okra) add a few drops of lemon juice or a spoonful of yogurt to avoid becoming sticky.
- Pans/Vesseles
Wet burnt pans/vessels with water till burnt portion if fully moist and place the pan/vessel upside down for 10-15 minutes - tilt and clean normally. - To make an easy muslin pouch: Take 2 consecutive corners of a rectangular piece of cloth and knot together tightly. Repeat for other 2 ends. Hold like a hammock shape, pour in the curd and use the knots to hang the pouch. Halfway, close the opening with a plain clothesline clip. Hand on a hook or tap easily.
- Apply colourless nail varnish to names on switches, jars, etc. to avoid there rubbing off with repeated use. Take care to apply a very thin even layer.
- Mosquitoes #1
Keep mosquitoes at bay by lighting the following: An incense stick dipped in baygon spray and dried. - Cleaning inside an iron - Turn the iron on, pour vinegar in the water hole, and fill it up. Once the iron is hot, push the stream button four or five times. All built-up grit and grime will then be removed. Finally, empty the vinegar from the iron and rinse well with water.
- Tiny tots - Tip
Stick a strip of medicated plaster under the sole of your childs new shoes. He will not slip on a slippery floor. - If just a few drops of lemon juice are required do not cut whole lemon. Roll lemon on a hard surface to soften the skin, prick a hole with a cocktail or skewer. Press out required drops. Leave a toothpick in the hole or wrap it in a piece of foil. This will keep it from drying out.
- Add a handful of puffed rice to leftover tomato vegetable. Mix well, heat a little, and serve as a tasty snack, after garnishing with chopped coriander.
- When very finely chopped greens or chillies etc. are required in a recipe, use a pair of sharp Scissors instead of a knife. The job will be made faster, more efficient and safe to cut.
- Storing flour in an airtight container and refrigerating it doubles their storage time.
- Coconut milk when kept overnight in the fridge forms a white layer on top. This layer can be used as fat instead of oil for frying mutton or chicken.
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