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All Tips
- To fry chillies safely, especially when deep frying, lower them in the oil in slotted spoon, and Hold them down, with the back of another flat wide spoon.
- Drying Wet Leather Shoes
Do not dry wet leather shoes by putting in a warm place (like, before a fire) since they may dry faster but will become stiff and wear fast. Instead, stuff them with old absorbent cloth (cotton ) and allow to dry . - Add some citric acid to cleaning powder for cleaning brass and copper ware. They will come out much cleaner.
- Never scrape burnt leftovers from casseroles. Soak in a weak solution of vinegar, salt and soapy warm water for an hour or so. The stuck particles will come off very easily, without scratching the dish.
- If the lemon seems to dry out, or the skin is too stiff, either soak in hot water for 10 minutes or microwave for 30 seconds, before cutting. You will be able to extract maximum juice this way.
- If curd has turned sour, tie in cloth for a while (1/2-1 hour) remove in bowl add enough milk to get required consistency, beat well. The sourness will be gone. Use in raithas, rices, etc.
- To make soft puris and chappatis, the dough should be mixed properly and rested for atleast 20 minutes. Measure 1 cup atta to 1/2 cup boiling water. In a shallow dish, pour 1/2 cup water and 2-3 drops of oil and salt to taste.. Sprinkle the atta over it, stirring gently with the end of a ladle or serving spoon, till a mass is formed. After a minute, knead with your hand to make a soft ball. Cover for 20 minutes, then use as required.
- To avoid handi dishes from burning at the bottom, place a tawa (griddle) on the fire, heat, place Handi on the griddle, put the flame on lowest. This will ensure that the handi does not get any Excess heat, causing the contents to burn. Also choose a handi that has a heavy bottom.
- Do not sieve wheat flour with a very fine sieve, as all the bran and subsequently the fibre Will be lost.
- Pour milk along inner wall of slightly tilted glass in a thin stream, to avoid its mixing with the lower layers in the glass. Straighten the glass carefully. Also chill glasses well before using.
- Use a pair of scissors instead of a knife for cutting hot vegetables like chillies and also leafy greens like spinach, celery, coriander, etc. Your work will get done much faster. Take care to use a clean, non-rusty pair used only for kitchen purposes.
- Soiled Jogging Shoes
Soak dirty jogging shoes overnight, drain out dirty water and run in the washing machine for a gentle wash using detergent. They will come out very clean. - Glass And Crystal
Put a handful of salt in the rinsing water for glass and crockery for a cleaner, crystal clear wash. - For ease in rolling bhakris, etc. without soiling the rolling board, just slip the board into a Large polythene bag, and tuck the loose sides under the board, before placing it down. To roll other chappatis, just slip out the board from the bag.
- Do not wash eggs when you store them. There is a "coating" on eggs that helps in keeping odours and bacteria from entering.
- If karanjias are used after too many days and feel stale, warm them for 1/2 to 1 minute in the microwave oven before serving. They will taste freshly fried.
- Adding a cupful of grated carrot or beetroot to the coconut while making coconut burfi will give you natural colouring and nutritional benefits.
- Electronic Items
Clean stains from electronic items like tvs, computers, etc. with some cotton douzed in spirit. Follow with a soft clean moist cloth, and finally a dry flannel cloth. - Peel and cut potatoes and boil them in water to which a little vinegar is added. They will be done in no time and will retain the texture as well.
- Add a few pinches of turmeric, a small spoon of ghee, to dal before pressure cooking. This will impart a better flavour to the dal.
- Use a mechanical or electrical chopper for chopping, semipureeing veggies, etc. since it cuts down making time drastically.
- To clean dirty copper utensils: Fill a spray bottle with vinegar in which 3 tbsp. of salt has been added. Spray solution on utensil liberally. Set aside for a while. Rub clean with a soft cloth.
- Rice
Dehydrate leftover rice in an oven or sundry, till brittle. Puff up some by deep frying as required, add to soups as rice crispies. - Do not waste egg whites if you have recipes which call for yolks only. They freeze very well and can be stored in batches of 3 or 4 egg whites at a time. In fact when thawed, frozen egg whites make much better foam.
- Put two to three cloves in the container or jar of sugar to keep the ants at bay.
- Glowing Skin
Rub inner peel of ripe papaya over face and neck. Wash off with water, and wipe with a soft towel after 15 minutes. Apply a mild astringent if desired. This leaves a cool, fresh, feel on the face for hours. Regular use, will make the skin soft and glowing. - Place chopped veggies for salads in a large bowl of icecold water, before preparing salad, to give that fresh, crisp, crunchy feel.
- A drop or two of eucalyptus oil add to water for steam inhalation gives excellent relief in common colds.
- Brittle Nails CareUse a mixture of lemon juice and glycerine in equal parts to dip nails which are brittle and bruised to make them stronger and shinier. Repeat process regularly if the case is extreme.
- For fresh ghee take a slab of unsalted butter place in a heavy bottomed pan and mlet on very slow flame. Remove the froth as it forms with a slotted spoon. Dont the let it burn. When the oil is clear and stops frothing add a few methi (fenugreek) seeds to it and switch off the flame.
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