Quick Tips

[Southern Belle 2067]

NO-SKID CUTTING BOARD:

Sprinkle a handful of old rubber bands on the counter and place the cutting board on top, preventing any slipping and sliding when cutting or chopping food. And if you get the juices from meat or poultry on them just throw them away.

SECURING KITCHEN GARBAGE BAGS:

Most garbage bags tend to slip down inside the trash can, making a mess to clean up. Secure the bags to the can by using a small bungee cord. Just make sure you don't throw the cord away when you change the bag, LOL.

IMPROMPTU BREAD MOLD:

Save the empty cardboard box from a roll of extra-wide foil. Line the box with a floured kitchen towel and place the shaped loaf inside, seam side down.

When loaf has proofed, gently roll it over onto a baking sheet or peel ( seam side down again), then slash it and bake it.

NO-WASTE SALAD DRESSING:

Use a child's (sippy cup). Add all the dressing ingredients to the cup and secure the lid. While holding one finger securely over the spout, shake the cup vigorously to mix well. Remove your finger from the spout and sprinkle over the salad. You will not use to little or to much dressing.

PASTRY TOOLBOX:

Baking buffs know how quickly all necessary tools of the trade can over take limited space in their kitchen drawers. Buy an inexpensive toolbox from a hardware store to store such thing as, cookie cutters, icing spatulas, mixing cups and etc. I have been doing this for a number of years and have 4 now full of the small items that I may need in the kitchen.

[nanny37]

Morning SB,
What a neat idea for keeping your small baking tools in one place.I would never have thought of a small tool box.I have two drawers I keep everything in,and every time I need something for baking it's always on the bottom.Am going to get myself a couple for sure. Thanks for the idea.

[Southern Belle 2067]

Glad you like the idea, I've got three real small shallow drawers for such a big house and a dinky kitchen, this house is about 30 years old but we like it.

I have three tool boxes and they are full, one is red the, other is blue, and one is green and now I need another one and I am ruining out of space for them. Got to get rid some old junk and buy new things that are up to date.

Take care.

[Kitchen Witch]

I love my cooking and baking and all the "toys" to go with it - but space is so limited! And the more appliances they come out with - the more people want to buy for me so I can use it! Don't ask me why - but if it has a plug in it some think I will enjoy it! And Lord help the poor soul that ever tries to buy me some of what I have seen that are not worth it!

But I have been able to cope with all my "toys" with the help of the wonderful world of plastic! If it is something I do not use everyday or at least weekly - then it goes into plastic.

I've got 4 large plastic bins stacked in my pantry with candy molds in them. The fifth bin on top of that is half the height - and that one holds my paper "doilies" for under dishes, desserts, cakes, etc. and my paper liners for cupcakes and candies (for all seasons and occasions), etc., sucker sticks, seasonal decorations, etc.

Next to that stack I have 3 large plastic bins with fancy baking pans in them - heart-shaped, house shaped, Santa's head, Winnie the Pooh, football cakes, lamb cake, Christmas trees and even my bundt pans - you name it. Since I do not use them daily - why should I tie up my cupboards with them? I use up more than enough space with regular baking sheets, regular cake tins, pie plates, etc. On top of that is another large plastic container with my 100's of cookie cutters in them and my cookie stamps. And on top of that is my plastic container of cake decorating toys.

Two tall columns of plastic saving me all kinds of room in the cupboards and pantry. I guess I'm lucky because I do have a large pantry and I do have a lot of cupboards - but of course - they are all full.

But I have found that plastic has become a good friend to have around!