Easy Tips for the Tired Cook

Making a meatloaf for dinner and you do not want to get your hands all messy:
Put all your ingredients in a large zip plastic bag, then knead everything together. Even the kids can help with this method. When all is mixed open the bag and slid the mixture into a loaf pan. Pat it down to get all the air bubbles out, using the bag as protection for your fingers. Pop it into the oven, throw out the bag. No mess to clean up.

Artichoke Steaming:
You want a nice looking artichoke but have no holder, slice a large onion, then use the outer rings to sit the artichoke upright in your pan. They might take on a slight flavor from the onion but they will be impressive to your guest.

Tired of Soggy Rice:
When cooking the rice place a clean folded towel between the pot and lid. When the water boils the towel will catch the steam and wont let it drip back into the pan. There will be no time difference in the cooking but you will have a fluffier, less starch looking rice.

Less Fat in your Meats:
If you find your ground meat has to much fat when browning, take the crust end of a loaf of bread, laying it face down into the pan and it will absorb all the excess fat. It is also a good way to skim off the fat from the top of a pot of homemade soup.

Cake Pan Coating:
When I'm baking a cake and it calls for a flouring of the pans, I sugar instead. The sugar spreads easier and doesn't leave a white cover on the cake. It will leave a slight sweet coating on the cake bottom and sides.

A Neater Butter Dish:
When placing your fresh stick of butter in the dish, slice it into serving size portions. It looks prettier but it's also easier to get it from the butter dish to your plate.

Faylee